Name: Klamath Community Television
Address: 2378 California Avenue, Klamath Falls, OR, 97601-1912, US
Telephone: 541-880-4913

The Local News Network delivers comprehensive coverage of the local news and information from Klamath County. Stay informed with updates on events, stories, and important announcements that matter to our Southern Oregon community. Tune-in for accurate reporting and in-depth analysis of the issues affecting you and your neighbors.

Call 541-880-4913

Click here for your latest Weather Info

KCSO Jail Report

Local News YOU Can USE from the
Local News Network For January 10, 2026

Bluebird Skies and Mixed Bag Trails:
Southern Oregon Skiwatch Update

Good evening, Southern Oregon and Northern California! This is your Local News Network Skiwatch update, bringing you the latest mountain conditions and trail reports as we head into the second week of January. For those of you who have been waiting all winter to click into your bindings and hit the slopes, we have some significant updates from our local resorts. It has been a season of shifting weather patterns, and while the valley floors have been enjoying relatively mild temperatures, the high country has been a different story entirely. We know our local ski community is eager for fresh powder, so let’s dive into what you can expect across the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges for the upcoming week.

The big story this week is coming out of Mt. Ashland, where unfortunately, operations have been indefinitely suspended as of early January due to a lack of significant snowpack and forecasted rain. While we saw some minor flurries earlier in the month, the "low snow" trend has forced officials to pause lift service until a more substantial winter storm moves through the region. However, if you are looking for a silver lining, the mountain is expecting mostly sunny skies through January 11 and 12, which makes for excellent hiking conditions for the more adventurous backcountry enthusiasts, though we urge caution as natural obstacles remain exposed. We are all keeping our fingers crossed for a late-January turnaround to get those lifts spinning again soon.

Further north at Willamette Pass, the situation is much more promising following a significant winter storm that moved through earlier this week. The resort was able to reopen this past Friday, and as we head into January 11 and 12, they are reporting a base depth of approximately 15 to 32 inches, thanks to over a foot of fresh snow that fell in the last seven days. For Sunday and Monday, you can expect bluebird conditions with mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the low 40s. Night skiing is back on the schedule for those who enjoy carving under the lights, and while early-season conditions are still present on some of the steeper runs like those on Peak 2, the Midway and Sleepy Hollow lifts are fully operational and providing some of the best turns in the region right now.

Thank you for joining us for this Local News Network Skiwatch update. While it may not be the record-breaking snow year we all dreamed of just yet, the recent refresh at Willamette Pass offers a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the crisp mountain air. We encourage everyone heading to the high country to check the latest pass conditions before leaving, as the clearing skies can often lead to icy patches on Highway 58 and the Siskiyou Summit during the overnight hours. We will continue to monitor the weather patterns and bring you any news of reopening for our local Ashland slopes as soon as it breaks. Until next time, stay safe on the roads and enjoy your time on the mountain!

Protesters Gather in Klamath Falls to Oppose U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Local residents gathered at the corner of Sixth and Wahsburn today, Saturday, January 10, 2026, to protest the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.

The demonstration saw participants assembling at the location throughout the midday and afternoon hours. Protesters carried signs condemning Operation Absolute Resolve—the January 3rd mission that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro—labeling the action an "illegal invasion."

Organizers at the rally emphasized a message of non-intervention, using slogans such as "No Oil Wars" and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The gathering in Klamath Falls mirrors a broader wave of "No War" activism currently sweeping across Oregon. While larger demonstrations have recently occurred in Portland and Eugene, today’s event marks a significant Southern Oregon response to the escalating foreign policy crisis.

Despite the political tension, the protest remained peaceful as of Saturday afternoon, with participants braving near-freezing temperatures to voice their opposition to the military campaign. Local law enforcement was present but reported no major incidents.

Federal Agents Shoot Two in Portland During "Targeted Stop"; City Leaders Demand Halt to ICE Operations

On January 8, 2026, U.S. Border Patrol agents shot and wounded two Venezuelan nationals during a targeted vehicle stop in the parking lot of Adventist Health Portland. The individuals, identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Luis David Nico-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, fled the scene before calling 911 from an apartment complex several miles away. Both were hospitalized in stable condition and are currently in federal custody following surgeries for gunshot wounds to the arm and chest.

The Department of Homeland Security alleges that the occupants are associated with the Tren de Aragua transnational gang and that the driver attempted to use the vehicle as a weapon to run over agents, prompting defensive fire. Local officials and defense attorneys have expressed deep skepticism regarding this account. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and the City Council have called for a complete halt to federal immigration operations in the city, citing a lack of transparency and a history of questionable use-of-force claims.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield formally announced that the Oregon Department of Justice would launch an independent investigation into a shooting involving federal Border Patrol agents in East Portland. This decision establishes a parallel state inquiry to the federal investigation currently led by the FBI.

The move comes amid significant discrepancies between federal accounts and local observations. The Department of Homeland Security claims that agents fired in self-defense after a driver, allegedly linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, "weaponized" a vehicle and attempted to run them over during a targeted stop. However, local leaders and immigrant advocates have expressed deep skepticism, noting a historical lack of federal transparency. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson stated that the time for taking federal accounts at face value is "long past," while Governor Tina Kotek condemned the environment of "lawlessness and recklessness" she attributed to federal enforcement tactics.

Attorney General Rayfield’s investigation will focus on whether federal officers acted outside their lawful authority. The state probe will review witness statements and video evidence, and Rayfield has indicated that any findings of criminal conduct will be referred to the Multnomah County District Attorney for potential prosecution. This state-level intervention follows a November 2025 formal warning from Oregon prosecutors regarding a "pattern of excessive force" by federal agents operating within the state.

The incident has significantly strained relations between Oregon and the federal government, occurring just one day after a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis. In response, Portland city officials and immigrant rights groups have called for a complete halt to federal immigration enforcement operations in the city until the independent investigation is concluded.

Protests Erupt at Portland ICE Facility Following Federal Shooting

Outrage over the shooting of two Venezuelan nationals by U.S. Border Patrol agents has sparked a wave of intense demonstrations across Portland. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland and City Hall to condemn federal enforcement tactics. The local response was further amplified by a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis just one day prior, with many demonstrators carrying signs memorializing Renee Nicole Good, the victim in that incident.

While local leaders, including U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Mayor Keith Wilson, issued urgent appeals for calm and peaceful assembly, tensions escalated late Thursday night. According to the Portland Police Bureau, officers from the crowd control unit were deployed to clear the street near the ICE facility to allow a vehicle to enter. When a portion of the crowd refused to disperse, police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and moved in to make targeted arrests.

Six individuals were taken into custody during the Thursday night demonstrations. Those arrested were identified by police as Ezekiel Mclain, Benjamin J. Davis, Seth Todd, Jordan Brokaw, Ashley Daugherty, and Daryn Herzberg. Charges against the group include disorderly conduct, interfering with a peace officer, and, in two instances, rioting. Police reported that federal officers remained inside the facility during the early hours of the protest and did not engage directly with the crowd, leaving crowd management primarily to local law enforcement.

The demonstrations continued into Friday night, with hundreds of additional marchers swelling the ranks outside the facility. Protesters chanted for the removal of ICE from Portland streets, echoing the calls from city officials for a total suspension of federal immigration operations. One additional arrest was made on Friday night after a protester allegedly pushed a bike officer. Since June 2025, total arrests related to ongoing ICE protest activity in the city have reached 80.

Governor Kotek Extends Oregon Homelessness Emergency for Third Year with Focus on Mental Health

Governor Tina Kotek issued a new executive order on January 9, 2026, extending Oregon's homelessness state of emergency for a third consecutive year. The order, which builds on the emergency first declared upon her taking office in 2023, is now set to remain in effect until January 10, 2027.

This latest extension shifts the state's strategic focus toward the intersection of homelessness, mental health, and addiction, acknowledging that a significant portion of the chronically unsheltered population struggles with behavioral health conditions.

Under the new mandate, the state has set ambitious targets to rehouse an additional 1,400 households and provide eviction prevention assistance to more than 8,000 households. The Governor also authorized the release of $19 million in previously allocated funds to expand community capacity for individuals within the justice system who are unable to aid in their own defense due to mental illness. This funding is expected to create 36 transitional housing beds in Clackamas County and 72 additional treatment beds in various facilities across the state.

The decision to extend the emergency comes despite reports of significant progress over the last two years. According to the Governor’s office, the state has successfully provided nearly 6,300 new or maintained shelter beds, rehoused 5,500 Oregonians, and prevented nearly 26,000 households from falling into homelessness since January 2023. However, recent data highlights the ongoing scale of the crisis; a 2025 "point-in-time" count estimated that over 12,000 people were homeless in the Portland metro region alone, marking a 61% increase from two years prior.

The emergency declaration continues to apply to the regions most heavily impacted by the crisis, including the Portland metro area, Central Oregon, Eugene, Salem, and several coastal and rural counties. State agencies, including the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Emergency Management, have been directed to prioritize long-term integrated solutions that pair housing with intensive behavioral health support.

Trail Blazers Propose $600 Million "Tax Redirect" for Moda Center Renovations

The Portland Trail Blazers have officially submitted a proposal to Oregon state lawmakers requesting a creative tax-redirection plan to fund a major $600 million renovation of the Moda Center. Rather than asking for new taxes or a direct cash infusion from the state's general fund, the team is proposing that the state income tax collected from Trail Blazers players, team staff, and visiting NBA players be redirected specifically to the arena project.

The plan, which is expected to be a primary topic during the upcoming 35-day legislative session in February, centers on roughly $20 million in annual tax revenue. Currently, these taxes are paid into Oregon's general fund. Under the Blazers’ proposal, that money would instead be used to finance the multi-year renovation, which is seen as a crucial step in securing the team's long-term future in Portland. This model mirrors a similar financing deal approved by lawmakers in 2025 for the "Portland Diamond Project" to attract a Major League Baseball team.

The timing of the request is significant as the franchise undergoes a transition in leadership. While the Paul G. Allen Estate is currently in the process of selling the team to a group led by Texas businessman Tom Dundon for an estimated $4.25 billion, the deal is not expected to close until the spring. By securing the state partnership now, the team hopes to present a stable long-term plan to the incoming ownership.

If approved, the renovations would be executed in phases over three summers, starting in 2027 and concluding in 2029. The project is strategically timed to ensure the arena is fully modernized ahead of the 2030 NCAA Women’s Final Four.

The Moda Center is currently the oldest arena in the NBA that has never undergone a comprehensive renovation. Team President Dewayne Hankins has emphasized that the building has "good bones" but requires these upgrades to remain competitive as a top-tier entertainment venue. While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has suggested the city might eventually need an entirely new arena, the current proposal focuses on extending the "useful life" of the existing structure in the Rose Quarter.

Beyond basketball, the renovation is being pitched as an investment in Oregon's economy, as the Moda Center serves as the state's busiest entertainment hub. Local leaders, including Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, have reportedly held preliminary discussions with the team regarding the public-private partnership.

Oregon Tech Board Approves State’s First Applied Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence

On January 8, 2026, the Oregon Institute of Technology Board of Trustees officially approved the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence. This move positions Oregon Tech as the first public university in the state to offer a dedicated undergraduate degree in applied AI. The program is designed to meet rapidly growing workforce demands by focusing on the responsible, ethical, and practical development of AI systems.

The curriculum will feature an interdisciplinary approach, starting with an Applied Computing track that emphasizes the design and deployment of real-world AI solutions. Students will engage in project-based coursework, including applied labs and industry-informed capstone projects. To ensure the program remains current with technological shifts, Oregon Tech has also entered into a collaboration with Google Public Sector to advance research and skill development.

The first cohort of students is expected to begin classes in Fall 2026 at the Klamath Falls and Portland-Metro campuses, as well as online. While the Board of Trustees and the Statewide Provosts’ Council have greenlit the degree, it will undergo final reviews by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities before the inaugural term begins.

President Nagi Naganathan stated that the degree is intended to produce career-ready professionals who can manage AI systems with a focus on improving the human condition. The university plans to seek ABET accreditation for the program following the graduation of its first cohort.

New 70-Space RV Park with Repurposed Golf Cart Paths Opens Near Downtown Klamath Falls

The Growler Guys have created a massive new RV destination, The Volcanic Legacy RV Resort , which recently opened its doors, providing a unique lodging option just north of the downtown core. The development is notable for its creative use of land, having repurposed the former Harbor Links Golf Course into a high-end recreational vehicle park. One of the standout features of the property is the preservation of the original golf cart paths, which have been converted into miles of scenic walking and biking trails for guests.

The park features approximately 70 spacious RV spots designed to accommodate large modern rigs, with many sites offering full hookups and views of the surrounding mountains and nearby Upper Klamath Lake. Beyond the standard hookups, the resort is being marketed as a "luxury" destination, featuring amenities such as a clubhouse, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a large pet area. The location provides easy access to local landmarks like the Oregon Institute of Technology and Sky Lakes Medical Center, making it a strategic hub for both short-term travelers and longer-term visitors.

Local leaders have praised the project for finding a productive second life for the former golf course, which closed several years ago. By utilizing the existing infrastructure—such as the paved paths and manicured greenery—the developers were able to create a park-like atmosphere that maintains the natural beauty of the area while adding significantly to the city’s tourism capacity. This opening comes at a time of increased interest in Southern Oregon's outdoor recreation, serving as a gateway for travelers visiting Crater Lake National Park and the Lava Beds National Monument.

WinCo Foods Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited Klamath Falls Location

Construction is officially underway for a new WinCo Foods in Klamath Falls, a project that has been in development since 2022. The 84,000-square-foot warehouse-style grocery store is being built on an 11.5-acre site at the corner of Shasta Way and Avalon Street, situated on the large vacant lot adjacent to Fred Meyer. Earthwork and equipment mobilization began in mid-March 2025, marking a major milestone for a recruitment effort led by the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA).

The new store is expected to bring significant economic impact to the region, with estimates suggesting the creation of 100 to 120 new jobs once the facility is operational. WinCo, an employee-owned company based in Boise, Idaho, selected the location due to the area's growing economic momentum and high demand from local residents for a discount grocery alternative. The site layout is expected to include the chain's trademark features, such as the "Wall of Values" and an extensive bulk foods department.

As of early 2026, the project has progressed through initial utility work and land preparation. While an exact grand opening date has not yet been finalized, the store will join the Medford and Grants Pass locations as the third WinCo in Southern Oregon. Local officials view the development as a positive indicator of the market's appeal to recognizable retail brands and a major convenience for residents who previously had to travel out of the basin for similar warehouse pricing.

Oregon Tax Season 2026: Fast E-Filing vs. Delayed Paper Returns

Oregon taxpayers are facing a significant choice this tax season: file electronically for a quick payout or wait months for a paper return to be processed. The Oregon Department of Revenue has confirmed a $1.41 billion revenue surplus, which will be returned to residents as a kicker credit on their 2025 state tax returns filed in early 2026.

The tax season officially begins on January 26, 2026. This is the first day the state and the IRS will accept and process returns. For those who file electronically on opening day, the state expects to begin issuing kicker credits and other refunds by February 15, 2026. In contrast, taxpayers who choose to mail paper returns starting in late January may not see their money until mid-April 2026.

State officials attribute the two-month lag for paper returns to a delay in receiving necessary tax forms and technical data from the IRS. Because the state’s automated scanning systems must be configured specifically to the updated federal forms, processing for paper returns cannot physically begin until late March. This delay has been compounded by previous federal staffing reductions that slowed the delivery of finalized documents to the states.

The kicker is not a separate check but a refundable tax credit applied to your 2025 return. It is calculated as 9.863% of your 2024 Oregon tax liability before credits. For example, a taxpayer with a $5,000 liability from the previous year would receive a credit of approximately $493. If you owe taxes for the 2025 year, the kicker will reduce your balance; if you are due a refund, it will be added to your total payout.

The push for electronic filing aligns with a decade-long trend in the state. In 2016, roughly 86% of Oregonians filed electronically. By last year, that number climbed to nearly 95%. Officials note that because five out of six paper filers are typically owed a refund, the vast majority of the "paper-filing pool" stands to benefit from switching to digital methods this year to avoid the April bottleneck.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Election Executive Order in Victory for Oregon and Washington

A federal judge in Seattle ruled in favor of Oregon and Washington today, blocking the Trump administration from enforcing an executive order that sought to overhaul state election procedures. The ruling is a significant setback for the administration’s efforts to mandate documentary proof of citizenship for voters and enforce a strict federal deadline for receipt of mail-in ballots.

U.S. District Judge John H. Chun found that the March 25, 2025, executive order exceeded the President’s authority. The court emphasized that the Elections Clause of the Constitution grants the power to regulate federal elections primarily to the states and Congress, not the executive branch.

The ruling protects the specific systems used in Oregon and Washington, where ballots are legally counted as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive up to a week later. During the 2024 election, these states collectively processed over 130,000 such ballots—votes that likely would have been disqualified under the administration’s order.

The lawsuit, filed in April 2025, argued that the order was an unconstitutional "power grab" that interfered with state-run systems. Key provisions of the order that are now blocked include:

Proof of Citizenship: The requirement for voters to provide passports or other specific documents to register.
Ballot Deadlines: The attempt to override state laws that allow postmarked ballots to be counted after Election Day.
Funding Threats: The administration's directive to withhold federal funding from states that refused to comply with the new rules.

Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read called the decision a "win for the Constitution," asserting that "Presidents don't get to rig elections." Washington Attorney General Nick Brown echoed this sentiment, noting that the court successfully enforced the separation of powers against what he termed "executive fiat."

This decision follows similar legal defeats for the administration in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., where other courts have also permanently barred parts of the executive order regarding voter registration forms.

Hazelnuts Bound for Indiana Following Hoosiers’ Dominant Peach Bowl Victory

Following Indiana’s overwhelming 56-22 victory over Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Friday night, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is set to collect on his friendly wager with Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read.

With the Hoosiers securing their spot in the National Championship, Secretary Read will now fulfill the terms of the bet by sending a selection of Oregon hazelnuts, the state's official nut, to Secretary Morales. Had the Ducks emerged victorious, Morales would have been obligated to send a supply of Indiana’s official state snack, popcorn.

The wager, settled in front of a sellout crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, served as a lighthearted backdrop to a historic night for Indiana football. Secretary Morales, an IU alumnus, had expressed firm confidence that his team would "handle business," a prediction that bore out as the Hoosiers improved to 15-0.

Indiana now moves on to face No. 10 Miami on January 19, while Secretary Morales awaits his delivery of Oregon’s local delicacy.

DHS Claims Driver 'Weaponized' Vehicle; Portland Officials Express Deep Skepticism of Federal Narrative

On January 8, 2026, a federal agent-involved shooting in East Portland left two people wounded, escalating national tensions following a similar fatal incident in Minneapolis just 24 hours prior.

The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. near the Adventist Health Portland campus on Southeast Main Street. The individuals shot, a man and a woman, fled the scene and were located roughly three miles away at an apartment complex near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside Street, where Portland police provided medical aid before they were hospitalized.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Border Patrol agents were conducting a "targeted vehicle stop."

The Target: DHS identified the passenger as a Venezuelan national allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang and a prostitution ring.
The Justification: DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that when agents identified themselves, the driver "weaponized" the vehicle by attempting to run the agents over. An agent then fired "defensive shots" in fear for their life.

Portland and Oregon officials reacted with sharp condemnation, expressing deep skepticism of the federal narrative.

Halt to Operations: Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Governor Tina Kotek have called for an immediate halt to all ICE and federal immigration operations in the city. Wilson stated, "There was a time when we could take [the federal government] at their word. That time is long past."
Investigation: The FBI has taken the lead on the investigation. Notably, the FBI's Portland office initially posted on social media that they were investigating an "agent-involved shooting" but later deleted it, replacing it with a statement that they were investigating an "assault on a federal officer."
Context of Distrust: Many officials, including State Senator Kayse Jama, explicitly told federal agents they were "not welcome" in Oregon, citing concerns over "militarized" enforcement tactics.

The shooting triggered immediate protests in a city already on edge. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Portland City Hall and the local ICE facility, chanting "Abolish ICE." Some protesters, known as the "Portland Frog Brigade," appeared in inflatable frog costumes to mock the administration's rhetoric regarding "violent extremists."

The incident has drawn direct parallels to the shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7, with local leaders characterizing both events as a pattern of reckless federal force.

Southern Oregon Snowpack Still 70% Below Median Despite Recent Snowfall Boost

While the massive 4-foot snow dump at Mt. Hood Meadows is the headline for Northern Oregon, the situation in Southern Oregon is a story of a slow, hard-fought recovery. After a nearly non-existent start to the season that saw some resorts suspend operations entirely, a significant winter storm this week has finally allowed several southern areas to reopen with limited terrain.

Mt. Ashland Ski Area

The mountain has officially reopened as of Wednesday, January 7, following an "indefinite pause" that began on New Year’s Day due to lack of snow.

Current Status: Open with limited terrain.
Snow Report: Roughly 11 inches of snow fell over the last week.
Operations: Lifts currently running include Sonnet, Lithia, and Comer, as well as the First Act Learning Carpet.
Special Note: Twilight skiing returned on Thursday, January 8. Due to thin coverage, all ungroomed terrain remains closed, and lift tickets are being offered at a discounted rate ($18 for Sonnet, $30 for Lower Lift).

Willamette Pass Resort

The resort is preparing for a major reopening today, Friday, January 9, following a storm that brought 15 inches of fresh powder over the last 48 hours.

Current Status: Reopening today after being closed earlier this week.
Snow Report: 5 inches fell in the last 24 hours alone, bringing the season total to 36 inches.
Operations: Midway and the magic carpet will be open for day use, with the Sleepy Hollow lift operating until 9:00 p.m. for night skiing.
Events: A bonfire is scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, with the "Park Rat Factory" event taking place on Saturday.

Warner Canyon

Located in Lake County, this smaller ski hill is still waiting for a more substantial base.

Current Status: Monitoring conditions for a potential opening.
Snow Report: The mountain received a modest 4 inches of fresh snow earlier this week.
Operations: As of January 8, the lifts remain closed. The resort is pending further snowfall before it can safely open its single lift to the public.

State climatologists note that while this storm was a "major step forward," the Southern Oregon Cascades are still facing a deficit. The Rogue-Umpqua Basin snowpack is currently sitting at approximately 29–30% of its normal median. While the "4 feet" seen further north at Mt. Hood didn't quite materialize here, the 10–20 inches that did fall have saved the early January season from a total washout.

How to Claim Your Share of Oregon's $1.41 Billion Kicker: DOR Urges E-Filing for Faster Refunds

Oregon’s 2026 tax filing season is officially set to open on Monday, January 26, matching the start date for the IRS. State officials are placing an urgent emphasis on electronic filing this year, as significant processing delays are expected for those who choose to file paper returns.

The 2026 filing season includes the distribution of a $1.41 billion state revenue surplus, commonly known as the "kicker." This credit is available to Oregonians who filed a 2024 tax return and had a tax liability before credits.

The Credit Amount: Taxpayers can expect a credit equal to 9.863% of their 2024 tax liability.
Calculation Tool: The Department of Revenue has launched the "What's My Kicker?" calculator on its website, where residents can estimate their refund using their name, Social Security number, and filing status.
Form of Payment: The kicker is not a separate check; it is applied as a credit on 2025 tax returns, which will either increase a taxpayer's refund or reduce the amount of tax they owe.

Department of Revenue officials warned that a delay in receiving necessary tax forms and data from the IRS in late 2025 has hampered the state’s ability to process paper filings.

Paper Delay: Processing for paper returns is not expected to even begin until late March, with refunds likely not arriving until early April.
The Two-Week Window: Taxpayers who file electronically and select direct deposit can typically expect their refunds, including their kicker credit, within two weeks.
Issuance Date: The state is on track to begin issuing refunds for e-filed returns starting February 15.

To help residents avoid the paper delay, the state is highlighting Direct File Oregon, a free electronic filing portal available through Revenue Online. Officials recommend that taxpayers log in now to ensure their account passwords and addresses are current. Additionally, residents who do not normally have a filing requirement must still file a 2025 return to claim their share of the kicker.

St. Helens Man Arrested in Grants Pass for Attempted Murder in Sunset Beach Bombing Case

Oregon State Police (OSP) have arrested a 52-year-old man in Grants Pass in connection with a backpack bomb discovered at a public restroom on the Oregon Coast last summer. The suspect, identified as James Mason Liggett of St. Helens, was taken into custody on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

The arrest stems from a terrifying discovery on September 16, 2025, at the Sunset Beach State Recreation Site near Warrenton.

The Discovery: A woman and her 2-year-old son were visiting the beach and stopped at the restroom. They noticed a backpack tied to the door with shoelaces in a way that would ostensibly trigger the device when the door was opened.
The Device: After the woman alerted park rangers, a bomb squad from the OSP and Salem Police Department arrived to find a "working explosive device." Technicians were able to render it safe, and no one was injured.
Investigation: Authorities spent months following leads, with assistance from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Liggett was located in Grants Pass and arrested on a warrant out of Clatsop County. He faces several severe charges, including:

Attempted Murder
Attempted Assault (First and Second Degree)
First-Degree Arson
Possession and Manufacture of a Destructive Device

While the motive for leaving the device remains unclear, OSP investigators stated they do not anticipate further arrests and believe the incident was isolated. The arrest brings a sense of closure to North Coast residents who were shaken by the event, which many described as "unreal" and "shocking" for such a peaceful location.

Fatalities Mount on Klamath County Highways Amidst Dangerous January Freeze

The region has been battered by two separate storm fronts, resulting in heavy snow accumulations and treacherous road conditions that have contributed to at least two separate fatal accidents this week.

On Sunday morning, January 4, a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 31 near milepost 12 claimed the life of a Bend resident.

The Incident: A southbound Dodge Ram 1500, driven by Roland Lea Buckman, 56, of Bend, attempted to pass another vehicle in a passing lane when it lost control on the icy surface.
The Crash: The truck slid into a ditch, rolled, went airborne, and struck a tree.
The Victim: A passenger, Randy Laverne Samples, 62, of Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene. Buckman sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized.

A second fatal crash occurred early Monday morning, January 5, on Highway 140 near milepost 88 in Lake County.

The Incident: Destiny Elizabeth Canaday, 30, of Bly, was driving a westbound Ford F-250 when she lost control while passing another vehicle.
The Crash: The truck rolled multiple times in a ditch. Canaday, who was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and declared deceased at the scene.
Contributing Factors: Oregon State Police cited speed and slick roadway conditions as primary factors in both the Highway 31 and Highway 140 fatalities.

The National Weather Service in Medford reports that the current weather system is expected to drop a total of 6 to 10 inches of snow in North Central Klamath County, with other parts of the basin seeing 1 to 3 inches.

Wind Hazards: Gusts as high as 40 mph are creating blowing snow and reduced visibility on high-elevation passes.
Travel Alerts: Chains are required on Highway 140 (mileposts 21 to 41) for vehicles towing or over 10,000 GVW. ODOT warns that travel will remain very difficult through the morning commute.

Sacred Fish on the Brink: Klamath Tribes Warn of Cultural 'Cataclysm' as Suckers Age Out

In the early morning light of January 2026, the landscape of Upper Klamath Lake presents a stark contrast of natural beauty and environmental crisis. For the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin-Paiite people, the lake’s endangered suckers—the c’waam and koptu—are more than just fish; they are a sacred link to their ancestry and a proclaimed indicator of the Tribes' own survival.

However, a decades-long "recruitment gap" has left these populations on the brink of extinction. While adult suckers can live up to 40 years, almost none of the fish hatched since the early 1990s have survived to reach adulthood.

Researchers from the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) are investigating a "bucket" of ecosystem challenges. While the fish are historically hardy, a combination of stressors is proving fatal before they reach age two:

The "Eye Fluke" Parasite: A worm-like trematode (Diplostomum gavium) is currently a major focus of study. These parasites migrate through the fish's eye tissue, causing blindness or physical mutilation. This makes the young suckers easy prey for birds or kills them outright through infection.
Water Quality and "Hypoxia": Agricultural runoff and phosphorus-rich soils fuel massive blue-green algae blooms. When these blooms die and rot, they strip the water of oxygen (hypoxia), creating a lethal environment for juvenile fish.
Bird Predation: American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants take a significant toll. While not considered the primary cause of the 30-year decline, predation acts as a "compounding factor" for fish already weakened by disease or poor water quality.
Habitat Loss: Approximately 75% of the suckers' historic wetland habitat has been lost to diking and draining for agriculture, leaving young fish without the protective cover and food sources they need to grow.

To solve this mystery, scientists use Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags—the same technology used in automated highway toll passes.

Tracking: Small microchips are injected into juvenile fish. When they swim past underwater antennas placed at strategic "gates" or spawning grounds, their unique ID and time of passage are recorded.
Scanned at Colonies: Biologists even scan bird nesting colonies with handheld receivers to find PIT tags in bird droppings, providing concrete data on exactly how many suckers are being lost to predation.

In late 2025 and early 2026, the Klamath Tribes have continued to highlight that the loss of the c’waam and koptu is a "biodiversity catastrophe" that threatens their treaty rights and cultural identity. Because the current adult population is reaching its maximum life span, the window to fix the "recruitment gap" is closing.

Current recovery efforts include "genetic salvage" programs, where eggs are collected and raised in hatcheries to a safer age (2 to 4 years old) before being released back into the lake. Scientists are currently monitoring these released fish to see if they can finally break the cycle and reach maturity in the wild.

Ashland Attorney Amy Bowers Cordalis to Discuss Memoir on Klamath River Restoration Saturday

As the world celebrates the historic restoration of the Klamath River, Ashland-based Yurok tribal attorney Amy Bowers Cordalis will speak about her new memoir, “The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family’s Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life,” on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Ashland Public Library.

The event, held in the Gresham Room from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., offers a local perspective on the largest river restoration project in history—a project Cordalis helped lead to fruition.

Published in late 2025, “The Water Remembers” is the first account of the Klamath legal battle written by a Yurok Tribe member. It chronicles:

The 2002 Fish Kill: Cordalis describes how witnessing the death of 70,000 salmon as a student intern catalyzed her decision to become a lawyer.
Generational Activism: The book highlights her family's 170-year struggle, including her great-uncle’s Supreme Court victory for tribal rights and her great-grandmother’s protests during the "Salmon Wars."
The Victory: Cordalis served as General Counsel for the Yurok Tribe during the negotiations that successfully led to the $500 million removal of four major hydroelectric dams in 2024.

Fall 2025 marked the first full year of a free-flowing lower Klamath. According to Cordalis and state wildlife agencies, the results have been immediate and powerful:

Historic Migration: For the first time in over a century, Chinook salmon were spotted in October 2025 crossing into Upper Klamath Lake and spawning in the Sprague and Williamson Rivers.
Increased Returns: Preliminary data shows a 30% increase in returning salmon compared to the previous year, with fish reoccupying nearly 400 miles of newly accessible habitat.
Environmental Recovery: Water temperatures are cooling faster in the fall, and researchers report a significant drop in the parasites that previously devastated juvenile populations.

While the removal of the Iron Gate, Copco 1 & 2, and J.C. Boyle dams is complete, Cordalis emphasizes that "the dam removal was really just the beginning." Her nonprofit, Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, continues to advocate for:

Remaining Obstacles: Indigenous groups are now turning their attention toward the Link River and Keno dams, which still present passage challenges despite existing fish ladders.
Land Stewardship: Working with tribes to manage and restore the thousands of acres of land formerly submerged by reservoirs.
Youth Engagement: Cordalis is currently working on a children’s book to ensure the story of the river's renewal inspires the next generation of stewards.

The Saturday talk is free and will include a book signing with copies provided by Bloomsbury Books.

Hazelnuts vs. Popcorn: The 2026 Peach Bowl Wager

Ahead of the 2026 Peach Bowl semifinal game between the University of Oregon and Indiana University, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read and Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales have entered into a friendly wager centered on state pride and local delicacies.

The terms of the agreement are straightforward: if the Oregon Ducks win, Secretary Morales will send Secretary Read a supply of popcorn, which is Indiana’s official state snack. Conversely, if the Indiana Hoosiers emerge victorious, Secretary Read will send Secretary Morales a selection of hazelnuts, Oregon’s official state nut.

This wager highlights the high stakes of the matchup, as both teams are competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Indiana enters the game undefeated at 14–0, while Oregon holds a 13–1 record, with their only loss of the season having come against Indiana earlier in the year. The game is scheduled for tonight, Friday, January 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The two officials expressed mutual respect for the opposing programs while maintaining firm confidence in their own teams. Secretary Read issued a "bring it on" challenge to the Hoosiers, while Secretary Morales, an IU alumnus, noted he looks forward to enjoying Oregon's hazelnuts once his team "handles business."

Klamath Falls Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Child Sexual Abuse Material Crimes

On January 8, 2026, Joshua Michael Gonhue, 39, was sentenced to 16 years in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections. The sentencing took place in Klamath County Circuit Court following Gonhue's conviction on multiple felony charges related to the possession and encouragement of child sexual abuse material.

The sentencing follows a judicial settlement conference held on December 19, 2025, where Gonhue pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts. His convictions include:

13 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree
1 count of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree

The case originated on December 14, 2023, when patrol officers with the Klamath Falls Police Department (KFPD) received information that Gonhue possessed illegal materials. The investigation involved several key agencies:

Klamath Falls Police Department: Initiated the case and handled the local investigation through its Detective Division.
ICAC Task Force: The Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force provided numerous "CyberTips" that linked Gonhue to the crimes.
Oregon Department of Justice: The DOJ eventually adopted the case for prosecution, working in partnership with local detectives.

Gonhue was arrested by KFPD on May 28, 2025, and has remained in custody since that date. The prosecution was led by the Oregon DOJ, with the court handing down the 16-year prison term today.

The Klamath Falls Police Department continues to urge the public to report any suspected exploitation or encouragement of child sexual abuse.

Local Reporting: Contact the KFPD at 541-883-5336.
National Reporting: Submit tips online to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) via their CyberTipline.

Five Injured in Rollover Crash on Icy Highway 97 Near Chiloquin

Emergency crews from multiple agencies were dispatched to a single-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 97 near milepost 258 early this morning. At approximately 7:25 AM, Klamath County Fire District 1 (KCFD1) responded to the scene to provide mutual aid to Chiloquin Fire & Rescue, deploying an ambulance crew, a fire engine crew, and a Chief Officer to assist with the high-occupancy incident.

A total of three ambulances were required to manage the scene, where all five occupants of the vehicle were found with varying degrees of injury. Following stabilization on-site, all five individuals were transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center for further treatment. While the official investigation into the crash is ongoing, authorities currently believe that icy road conditions were the primary cause of the vehicle losing control.

Kotek Calls for Repeal of Transportation Package as Republican Ballot Challenge Freezes Funds

In a significant policy reversal, Governor Tina Kotek announced on January 7, 2026, that she is calling for the repeal of House Bill 3991, the transportation funding package she pushed through a special legislative session only months ago. The Governor’s shift comes after a successful Republican-led signature drive by the group "No Tax Oregon" gathered nearly 200,000 signatures to refer the bill's tax increases to the November 2026 ballot. Under Oregon law, this referral automatically froze the bill's primary revenue sources—including a 6-cent gas tax hike and increased vehicle registration fees—leaving the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) in a state of financial limbo.

Governor Kotek described the move as a strategic pivot to prevent ODOT from collapsing under the weight of implementation costs for a bill that currently provides no funding. By repealing the "stopgap" measure now, she hopes to clear the path for a new emergency plan during the February legislative session. Her proposed "redirect, repeal, and rebuild" strategy involves shifting existing transportation funds from capital projects to basic operations and maintenance to avert hundreds of planned layoffs this spring.

The repeal would also serve a political purpose by removing the unpopular tax package from the ballot, where it was expected to face strong public opposition. While the Governor maintains that this is the most responsible way to address a $242 million budget gap at ODOT, Republican leaders have characterized the reversal as a political maneuver to avoid a public defeat at the polls.

Looking ahead, Kotek has committed to leading a bipartisan effort to develop a more durable, comprehensive transportation funding package for the 2027 legislative session.

Oregon Lawmakers Seek to Empower Residents to Sue Federal Agents Amid Immigration Crackdown

In a direct challenge to intensified federal immigration operations, Oregon lawmakers and top state officials are developing legal avenues to allow residents to sue federal agents for misconduct and excessive force. The proposed Law Enforcement, Accountability, and Visibility (LEAVe) Act, slated for the February 2026 legislative session, is a response to recent reports of federal agents in tactical gear conducting high-profile raids and detentions in communities like Woodburn and Portland.

The push for state-level liability comes as Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and district attorneys from Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties issued a formal warning to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. In a letter sent in late 2025, the officials notified the federal government that Oregon will actively monitor and investigate federal agents who act "outside the reasonable scope of their duties," asserting that the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause does not grant agents a "blanket authority" to bypass state laws on the use of force.

At the federal level, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has co-sponsored complementary legislation that would grant individuals—regardless of their immigration status—the specific right to sue federal law enforcement officers in civil court. These legislative efforts aim to close a legal gap that often shields federal personnel from the same level of accountability faced by state and local police under Oregon's existing civil rights and sanctuary laws.

The move has already sparked a retaliatory response from Washington, D.C., where some Republican lawmakers have proposed the "SHIELD Act." This federal bill would authorize the stripping of all federal funding from states or local jurisdictions that attempt to prosecute or sue federal agents performing immigration-related duties. As the 2026 session approaches, the standoff is expected to test the legal boundaries of state sovereignty versus federal enforcement power.

Alaska Airlines Pilot Sues Boeing for $10 Million, Alleging "Scapegoat" Tactics After Door Plug Blowout

Captain Brandon Fisher, the pilot who gained international acclaim for safely landing Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 after a midair door plug blowout, has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Boeing. The complaint, filed in an Oregon court on December 30, 2025, alleges that the aerospace giant attempted to shift the blame for the near-catastrophic failure onto the flight crew to protect its own corporate reputation.

The "Scapegoat" Allegation

Despite being hailed as a hero by federal regulators and the public, Fisher claims Boeing used legal filings to "paint him as the scapegoat" for the January 5, 2024, incident. The lawsuit specifically points to a March 2024 legal defense in which Boeing denied liability by claiming its products were "improperly maintained or misused by persons and/or entities other than Boeing." Fisher’s attorneys argue this was a direct, false accusation aimed at the pilots, intended to deflect from manufacturing defects.

Impact on the Crew

The lawsuit highlights the severe emotional and professional toll the incident and subsequent blame-shifting have taken on Captain Fisher.

Heroism vs. Castigation: Fisher’s legal team asserts that instead of being lauded for landing the plane under harrowing circumstances—where the cockpit door blew open and rapid decompression occurred at 16,000 feet—he was "castigated" by the company he has served throughout his career.
Personal Betrayal: Having flown Boeing aircraft for the entirety of his employment, Fisher described the company's defense strategy as a "deep, personal betrayal."
Legal Fallout: The lawsuit claims that Boeing's public attempts to deflect liability directly led to Fisher being named as a defendant in separate lawsuits filed by passengers, further exacerbating his distress.

The NTSB Findings

The pilot's claims are supported by the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) final report, which concluded that the door plug blew off because Boeing factory workers failed to reinstall four critical retaining bolts during production. The NTSB explicitly cleared the crew of any wrongdoing, describing their performance as "exemplary" and "heroic."

Wider Legal Action

Fisher is not alone in his legal battle; four flight attendants from the same flight also sued Boeing last year for physical and mental injuries. While Boeing’s current CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has publicly committed to a "culture of safety" since taking over in late 2024, the company has declined to comment specifically on Fisher's pending litigation.

Winter Storm Warning Grips Klamath County High Elevations Through Thursday Afternoon

A powerful mid-winter weather system continues to batter the region, prompting the National Weather Service to maintain a Winter Storm Warning for the Southern Oregon Cascades and northern Klamath County through 4:00 PM today. Forecasters expect significant snow accumulations to reach up to three feet in areas above 5,000 feet, particularly along the Cascade crest and around Crater Lake National Park. In lower-elevation mountain passes and northern parts of the county near Chemult and Crescent, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect as an additional 5 to 10 inches of snow is predicted to fall before the system tapers off.

Travel conditions across Highway 97 and Highway 140 are described as hazardous to near-impossible in some stretches due to a combination of heavy snowfall and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph. These winds are creating localized whiteout conditions and significant drifting on exposed roadways, making it difficult for snowplows to keep lanes clear. The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that several mountain passes are currently requiring chains for all vehicles except those with four-wheel or all-wheel drive and snow tires, and officials are strongly advising motorists to delay non-essential travel until late Thursday evening.

While the mountains are bearing the brunt of the storm, the Klamath Basin floor is seeing a mix of light snow and rain with minimal accumulation. However, temperatures are expected to drop rapidly tonight, raising concerns about black ice on bridges and overpasses during the Friday morning commute. Public works crews have been deployed across the county to manage the clearing of primary routes, but residents are urged to stay informed via TripCheck for real-time road closures and chain requirements as the storm completes its passage through the area.

Oregon Unemployment Holds at 5.2% as State Tops 2025 Inbound Migration Rankings

Newly released data from the Oregon Employment Department confirms that the state's unemployment rate held steady at 5.2% for November 2025. This figure, which matches the rate reported in September, comes after a reporting delay caused by last year's federal government shutdown. While Oregon's jobless rate remains notably higher than the national average of 4.6%, the state continues to see significant job growth in specific sectors, particularly in healthcare and hospitality.

The Labor Market: A Tale of Two Treads

The state’s economy added roughly 1,600 nonfarm payroll jobs in November, recovering from a slight dip in October. The healthcare and social assistance sector remains the primary engine of growth, adding 10,900 jobs over the past year. Leisure and hospitality have also seen a resurgence, adding nearly 4,000 positions since last summer. Conversely, the government and information sectors have faced contraction, with the information industry—home to many tech roles—dropping to its lowest employment levels in three years.

Why Oregon is the Top Destination for Newcomers

Despite persistent concerns regarding the cost of living and a "flat" labor market in some regions, Oregon officially ranked as the #1 state for inbound migration in 2025, according to the annual United Van Lines study. Approximately 65% of all state-to-state moves involving Oregon were people moving into the state.

Several key factors have driven this influx:

Job Opportunities in Specializations: About 36% of newcomers cited employment as their primary reason for moving, specifically targeting Oregon’s specialized hubs in healthcare and green tech.
The "Springfield Effect": The Eugene-Springfield metro area emerged as the top destination in the country for inbound moves. Springfield, in particular, has become a magnet for young families and retirees seeking a lower cost of living while maintaining proximity to the cultural and economic hubs of Eugene and Portland.
Lifestyle and Climate Resilience: Real estate experts noted that many "climate migrants" are choosing the Pacific Northwest for its natural beauty and perceived long-term environmental stability compared to the extreme heat or storm risks in the South and East.

Economic Outlook for 2026

State economists remain cautiously optimistic, predicting that the "low hire, low fire" dynamic of 2025 may shift toward a moderate reacceleration by mid-2026. Falling interest rates are expected to stimulate the housing and construction sectors, which struggled throughout the previous year. However, for now, the state continues to balance its high appeal to newcomers with an unemployment rate that suggests the labor market has not yet fully absorbed the available workforce.

Klamath Falls Police Department Recruiting Volunteers for "VIPS" Support Program

The Klamath Falls Police Department (KFPD) is putting out a call for community members to join its Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) program, a national initiative designed to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. As the department looks to maximize its sworn officers' time on the streets, these "VIPs" provide essential administrative and field support that keeps daily operations running smoothly.

Core Responsibilities of the VIPS Program

The program is tailored for residents who want to contribute to public safety without becoming sworn officers. Volunteers are trained to handle various tasks that assist both the department and the community directly:

Vacation House Checks: One of the most popular community services, where volunteers physically inspect the exterior of homes while residents are away to ensure properties are secure.
Clerical and Administrative Support: Assisting with scanning paperwork, data entry, and answering non-emergency calls at the Shasta Way headquarters to free up support staff.
Patrol Vehicle Maintenance: Helping manage the fleet by delivering patrol cars for scheduled maintenance or agency deliveries.
Community Safety Tasks: Conducting radar speed checks in neighborhoods where residents have reported safety concerns and providing traffic control at local events.

How to Get Involved

To maintain the high standards of the department, all VIPS applicants must undergo a thorough screening process, which typically includes a background investigation and an interview. Successful candidates are expected to contribute a regular number of service hours—often around 160 combined hours per month across the local chapter—and receive specialized training for their specific roles.

Interested residents can pick up an application at the Klamath Falls Police Department located at 2501 Shasta Way, or contact the program coordinator at 541-883-5336 for more information on the next orientation session.

Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union Rebrands as Sage Credit Union to Reflect Western Expansion

Following nearly 90 years of service under various names, Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union officially transitioned to its new identity, Sage Credit Union, on January 5, 2026. The rebranding marks a strategic move to better represent the institution's growing geographic footprint, which now extends beyond its traditional Southern Oregon roots into Eastern Oregon and Northern Nevada.

Why the Change?

The shift to Sage Credit Union was prompted by a significant expansion of the institution's federal charter. While the credit union historically served Klamath, Lake, Modoc, and northeastern Siskiyou counties, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) recently authorized it to serve residents and businesses in six additional counties: Harney and Malheur in Oregon, and Humboldt, Pershing, Lander, and Eureka in Nevada.

CEO Chad Olney noted that the name "Sage" was chosen to honor the rugged landscape and the "wisdom and resilience" of the people living in the high desert and sagebrush regions of the rural West. This is the fifth name change in the organization's history, which began in 1936 as the 4L Credit Union, serving local loggers and lumbermen.

What Members Need to Know

For the credit union's 25,000+ members, the transition is primarily a branding update rather than a structural change.

Operational Continuity: The rebranding is not a merger or a sale. Management, staff, and branch locations remain exactly the same.
Account Security: Account numbers, loan terms, and routing numbers have not changed. Members can continue to use their existing Pacific Crest debit and credit cards until they expire, at which point they will be replaced with the new Sage Credit Union design.
Digital Updates: The credit union’s website has moved to sagecu.org, though the old URL currently redirects to the new site. Online banking credentials and mobile app logins remain unchanged.

A Legacy of Adaptation

The credit union has a long history of evolving its name to match its membership:

1936: 4L Credit Union (Loggers and Lumbermen)
1937: Weyerhaeuser Credit Union
1960s: Forest Products Credit Union
1990s: Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union
2026: Sage Credit Union

The new Sage Credit Union brand is now visible across all local branches, including the headquarters on Shasta Way and the Galpin Lane location in Klamath Falls.

Klamath County Winter Weather Update
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 3:30 PM PST

US97 at Spring Creek (Top of Grade)_pid1726.jpg

A winter weather system is moving through Klamath County today, January 7, 2026, bringing significant snow and gusty winds that are expected to impact travel through Thursday morning. A Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect for the Klamath Basin and northern portions of the county, where snow levels are dropping to between 1,400 and 2,000 feet. Heavy snow is anticipated to be most intense late this afternoon and through the evening hours, with total accumulations of 5 to 10 inches in the north and up to 2 inches in lower elevation areas.

Current Conditions and Forecasts

Klamath Falls is currently 40°F and cloudy with a feels-like temperature of 32°F due to 14 mph winds. The high will reach 42°F today before dropping to a low of 29°F tonight. There is an 87% chance of snow showers starting late this afternoon, though accumulation in the city is expected to remain under one inch.

Chiloquin is seeing colder conditions at 35°F with 94% humidity. The forecast calls for a high of 39°F and a low of 25°F. Snow is highly likely this afternoon and evening, and breezy southwest winds are contributing to a wind chill in the upper 20s.

Chemult is currently the coldest town in the region at 19°F with 97% humidity, making it feel like 10°F. The high today will only reach 23°F. This area is under a Winter Storm Warning, with significant snow accumulation expected throughout the day and night as the low drops to 16°F.

Gilchrist is at 34°F with a forecast high of 34°F and low of 24°F. A major snow event is underway here, with 2 to 3 inches of accumulation expected north of Highway 140. Breezy conditions with gusts up to 25 mph are making visibility poor.

Malin and Merrill are slightly warmer with current temperatures around 42°F. Malin will see a high of 44°F and a low of 22°F, while Merrill expects a high of 36°F. Both towns have a chance for light snow or flurries starting in the late morning and continuing through the evening, though significant accumulation is less likely than in the northern county.

Bonanza is 36°F and cloudy with 17 mph winds making it feel like 27°F. The high is forecasted at 38°F with a low of 16°F. Light snow is expected today with a 35% chance of accumulation, tapering off to partly cloudy skies tonight.

Sprague River is currently 37°F and cloudy. The high for the day will be 40°F with a low of 25°F. Light snow showers are expected this afternoon with a 40% chance of precipitation and breezy southwest winds.

Beatty remains cold and cloudy with a forecast high of 34°F and a low of 25°F. Snow showers are likely to begin this afternoon as the main frontal band pushes through the eastern part of the county.

Weather News and Travel Safety

The National Weather Service warns that the most hazardous conditions will occur during the evening commute. Southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph in exposed terrain, could cause blowing snow and significantly reduced visibility. Travelers on Highway 97 and through mountain passes should prepare for snow-covered roads and carry emergency supplies.

Kotek Unveils "Redirect, Repeal, and Rebuild" Strategy to Solve Oregon’s Transportation Crisis

In an address to the Oregon Transportation Forum today, Governor Tina Kotek introduced a three-pronged "Redirect, Repeal, and Rebuild" strategy to address the state's deepening transportation funding crisis.

The Governor’s plan is a response to a projected $242 million budget gap at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the freezing of a recently passed funding bill by a voter referendum.

1. Redirect: Immediate Action to Prevent Layoffs

Governor Kotek is calling on the legislature to take emergency action during the February session to move money within ODOT’s existing budget.

Target: Reallocate funds from specific long-term projects to core operations and maintenance.
Urgency: Without this shift, ODOT faces hundreds of layoffs this spring, which would cripple basic services like winter road maintenance and emergency response.
Constraint: The state’s overall budget deficit prevents the use of General Fund dollars to bridge the $242 million gap.

2. Repeal: Scrapping House Bill 3991

The Governor is now urging the repeal of HB 3991, the $4.3 billion transportation package passed during last September’s special session.

The Problem: Anti-tax groups successfully gathered enough signatures to refer the bill's tax increases—including a 6-cent gas tax hike and increased registration fees—to the November 2026 ballot.
The Impact: This referral has "frozen" the new revenue. Under current law, ODOT would be forced to pay for the bill's implementation costs without receiving any of the new funding, worsening the agency's instability.

3. Rebuild: A New Bipartisan Path for 2027

Acknowledging that the previous attempt at a long-term solution has failed, the Governor committed to starting fresh.

Timeline: A new comprehensive funding package will be developed for the 2027 legislative session.
Approach: Kotek plans to lead a bipartisan process involving technical experts and stakeholders to align transportation investments with economic development and long-term safety goals.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield Sues Insulin Giants for $900 Million Over "Coordinated" Price-Gouging Scheme

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a $900 million lawsuit on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, against the nation’s dominant insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The 173-page complaint alleges a coordinated, decade-long scheme to artificially inflate the prices of life-saving diabetes medications.

The Defendants

The lawsuit targets three major drug manufacturers and three powerful middlemen:

Manufacturers: Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Caremark (CVS), Express Scripts, and Optum (UnitedHealth).

The Alleged Scheme

The lawsuit claims these companies engaged in a "chase-the-rebate" strategy that prioritized profits over patient health. According to the filing, manufacturers hiked their list prices to offer massive rebates to PBMs in exchange for "favorable placement" on insurance formularies.

The state argues that the higher the list price, the larger the rebate—creating a feedback loop where both the manufacturers and the PBMs profited as costs skyrocketed. Furthermore, the suit alleges the companies intentionally excluded lower-cost generic or biosimilar insulin options from their approved lists to maintain these high-profit margins.

Impact on Oregonians

Attorney General Rayfield emphasized that the financial pressure has forced many of the state's diabetic residents to ration their medication, reuse needles, or skip meals to manage their blood sugar. The state is seeking $900 million in damages for violations of the Oregon Unlawful Trade Practices Act, as well as a court order to halt the pricing practices.

This legal action follows similar lawsuits filed by other states and local governments across the country, many of which have been consolidated into federal multidistrict litigation in New Jersey.

Winter Weather Hammers Klamath County

A powerful winter storm system is moving through Southern Oregon today, January 7, 2026, bringing significant snowfall and hazardous travel conditions to Klamath County. The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Klamath Basin and northern and eastern portions of the county, which remains in effect until 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 8.

Residents in north central Klamath County, including the communities of Chemult and Crescent, should prepare for total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. Travel along Highway 97 north of Chiloquin is expected to be particularly difficult as the heaviest snow falls through late Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.

In the southern Oregon Cascades and higher elevation areas such as Crater Lake National Park and Lake of the Woods, a Winter Storm Warning is in place. These areas are bracing for much more substantial totals, with Crater Lake expected to receive between 18 and 24 inches of fresh powder. Lake of the Woods could see up to 15 inches of accumulation. The storm is accompanied by strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph over high and exposed terrain, which may cause blowing snow and significantly reduced visibility.

For the rest of Klamath County, including the Klamath Falls area, lighter snow is anticipated. Forecasters expect between 1 and 3 inches of accumulation, with the majority of that moisture arriving Wednesday evening. While totals are lower in the basin, officials warn that roads, bridges, and overpasses will likely become slick and hazardous.

The Oregon Department of Transportation and local law enforcement are urging motorists to use extreme caution. If you must travel through the mountain passes or northern parts of the county, it is recommended to carry a winter emergency kit containing tire chains, blankets, food, and water. Conditions are expected to taper off by Thursday morning as the storm moves out of the region, leaving behind much-needed moisture for the local snowpack.

Final National Guard Troops Ordered Home from Portland

The final 100 Oregon National Guard members who were federalized and held in limbo for months have officially been ordered to demobilize. Governor Tina Kotek announced Tuesday, January 6, 2026, that U.S. Northern Command issued the formal order for the remaining troops to return to state control. These citizen-soldiers were part of a larger group of 200 originally mobilized by the Trump administration in late September 2025 to assist with federal immigration enforcement and protest responses in Portland.

The demobilization marks the end of a protracted legal and political standoff between the state and the federal government. While the troops were federalized under Title 10 authority, they were never actually deployed to Portland's streets due to a series of court injunctions. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield successfully argued that the mobilization was an unconstitutional abuse of power, leading a federal judge to permanently block the deployment in November. Despite that ruling, the administration kept 100 troops activated while the case was appealed.

The decision to release the troops follows a New Year’s Eve announcement from President Trump stating he would withdraw National Guard forces from Portland, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Governor Kotek noted that the affected Guard members spent over 100 days away from their families and civilian jobs, including the entire holiday season. Before returning to their home units in Oregon, the troops must first travel to Fort Bliss, Texas, to complete the standard federal demobilization process.

Local leaders, including Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, have praised the move, maintaining that the city did not require military intervention and that local law enforcement has been sufficient in managing public safety. While the troops are heading home, the underlying legal battle continues in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals as the state seeks to ensure such federal mobilizations cannot be repeated without proper legal justification.

Oregon Reclaims Spot as Top Destination for Inbound Movers

Newly released data for early 2026 shows a sharp reversal in Oregon’s migration trends, with the state once again ranking as a premier destination for Americans relocating across state lines. According to the 49th Annual National Movers Study from United Van Lines, Oregon saw the highest percentage of inbound migration in the country over the past year, with 65% of all moves involving the state being people moving in. This marks a significant climb from the number eight spot in 2024 and signals a recovery from the post-pandemic "stagnation" where the state saw a rare net loss of residents.

Economic opportunities are the primary driver of this renewed interest, particularly within the technology and healthcare sectors. The reports highlight that roughly 36% of new arrivals moved to the state for employment, seeking out high-paying roles in the "Silicon Forest" and growing medical networks. While the state's cost of living remains higher than the national average, it is increasingly viewed as an affordable alternative to other West Coast hubs like San Francisco and Seattle. Economists noted a "half-ring" migration pattern where residents leaving California are choosing Oregon as their primary landing spot to balance lifestyle amenities with relatively lower housing costs.

The Eugene-Springfield metro area emerged as the top individual destination in the study, boasting an 85% inbound move rate. Springfield, in particular, was cited for its comparative affordability and proximity to both the University of Oregon and the Portland metro area. Beyond jobs, the state's natural beauty and access to outdoor activities like hiking and skiing continue to be major draws for both young families and retirees.

While private moving data shows a surge, official state population estimates from Portland State University suggest a more moderate, steady growth of about 15,000 residents annually. Local analysts suggest that while the "mass exodus" fears of 2023 and 2024 have subsided, the state now faces the challenge of managing this new influx of residents amid a continued housing shortage.

Couples Camp Out for Dream Wedding Dates in 2026

Dozens of couples have taken "camping in the park" to a new level this week, braving cold winter temperatures to wait overnight outside government buildings to secure 2026 wedding dates. While many Oregonians were focused on the heavy mountain snow, these hopeful brides and grooms began lining up as early as Sunday afternoon to ensure they were first in line for the Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) annual reservation opening on Monday, January 5, 2026. The department prioritizes in-person applications for its most coveted natural venues, leading to a high-stakes tradition that some have compared to waiting in line for concert tickets.

The primary draw for these couples is the extreme affordability and scenic beauty of public spaces like the International Rose Test Garden, the Redwood Deck at Hoyt Arboretum, and Cathedral Park. With traditional private venue costs soaring, a city permit remains a budget-friendly way to secure a world-class backdrop. To manage the crowd, city officials opened the Portland Building early Monday morning, offering light refreshments and warmth to those who had spent the night in chairs and sleeping bags. For some, the effort was even more extreme; reports indicate some residents flew in from out of state just to stand in the physical line, as online and phone reservations did not open until the following day.

While the "wedding rush" is most visible at the city level in Portland, state park officials are also noting a surge in early interest for the 2026 season. Major state-managed sites like Silver Falls and Shore Acres are seeing high demand for their group facilities and historic lodges. Oregon State Parks recently updated its fee structure and reservation policies to help manage the increased volume and maintain the financial sustainability of the parks. Officials recommend that those looking for a 2026 date at a state park check the specific reservation windows for their desired location, as many popular spots can book up exactly six months to a year in advance.

The 2026 season is expected to be one of the busiest on record for outdoor ceremonies in the Pacific Northwest. For those who missed the initial in-person rush, city and state parks departments have now opened their online portals for remaining dates. Couples are encouraged to have secondary locations and "off-peak" dates in mind, such as Fridays or Sundays, as the most popular summer Saturdays at premier gardens and overlooks were claimed within hours of the doors opening.

Anti-War Protest Scheduled for Klamath Falls

Local activists are organizing a "No War on Venezuela" protest in Klamath Falls this Saturday, January 10, 2026. The demonstration is scheduled to take place at the prominent intersection of Washburn Way and South Sixth Street, a frequent site for local political visibility events. Participants are expected to gather to voice opposition to recent U.S. military actions in South America, following reports of federalized intervention and the escalating regional conflict.

The Klamath Falls event is part of a broader wave of emergency actions coordinated by peace and justice organizations across the country. Similar rallies have been held throughout the week in cities such as Portland, San Diego, and Washington D.C., as demonstrators call for a diplomatic resolution and the immediate cessation of military hostilities. Organizers in Klamath County are encouraging attendees to bring signs and flags to the street corner to engage with the local community and raise awareness about the constitutional and humanitarian concerns surrounding the conflict.

The protest comes at a time of high political tension in the region. Local law enforcement has not issued any specific travel advisories for the area, but motorists should expect increased pedestrian activity near the Washburn and Sixth Street intersection on Saturday afternoon. The "No War on Venezuela" movement has emphasized a commitment to nonviolent demonstration and de-escalation, joining a national dialogue that includes recent calls from several members of Congress for a formal vote on War Powers Resolutions.

While the protest is the most significant political gathering planned for the weekend, the city is also hosting the First Annual Premier Bridal Show at the Klamath County Fairgrounds on the same day. Residents are advised to plan for moderate traffic increases throughout the South Sixth Street corridor as these events coincide.

Klamath Basin Farmers Confront Shifting Climate Reality

Agricultural producers across the Klamath Basin are grappling with a increasingly precarious future as a "snow drought" persists through the start of 2026. While recent storms have brought fresh powder to the Cascades, state climatologists report that the Klamath Basin’s snow-water equivalent sat at just 30% of its historical median as of January 5. This deficit is part of a broader trend of warmer winters where precipitation falls more frequently as rain rather than snow. Without the natural reservoir provided by a deep mountain snowpack, the slow, consistent melt needed to recharge local aquifers and fill irrigation canals through the dry summer months is being replaced by rapid runoff that leaves fields parched by mid-season.

The impact on local food security and the agricultural economy is profound. Many multi-generational family farms in the Basin, which produce high-value crops like potatoes, hay, and organic livestock, are entering "triage mode" for the 2026 growing season. Reduced surface water allocations have forced an increased reliance on groundwater pumping, a solution that is both financially and environmentally unsustainable. Farmers report that electricity costs for these pumps have caused operational expenses to balloon by 30% to 50%, forcing some to reduce their herds or leave acreage fallow. The crisis has also reignited long-standing tensions over water rights, as the limited supply must be balanced between agricultural needs, the survival of endangered fish species, and the cultural heritage of the Klamath Tribes.

In response to these challenges, local and state agencies are accelerating climate adaptation strategies. The Oregon Department of Forestry and various research groups, such as the interdisciplinary SNOWPACS project, are working on long-term solutions to optimize water policy under changing conditions. Strategies currently under discussion include thinning overly dense forests to conserve soil moisture, improving irrigation efficiency, and restoring natural wetlands that can act as sponges for winter precipitation. The 2026 Annual Operations Plan for the region emphasizes the need for sustainable land management, yet officials acknowledge that with peak snowmelt occurring weeks earlier than in decades past, the margin for error is shrinking.

Long-term projections from the Oregon State University Extension Service suggest that by 2050, snow accumulation in the region could drop by an additional 25%. For the Klamath Basin, this shift from a snow-dominated to a rain-dominated system threatens the very foundation of its agricultural identity. As farmers, tribal leaders, and conservationists look toward the remainder of the 2026 water year, the focus remains on collaborative, data-driven planning to prevent the total collapse of the region's food systems and natural ecosystems.

Heading 3

Klamath Falls Police Call for Community Volunteers

The Klamath Falls Police Department (KFPD) is opening several opportunities for residents to go behind the scenes and support local law enforcement through a variety of volunteer-led initiatives. As of early 2026, the department is actively recruiting for its Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program, a national initiative that allows citizens to assist with non-enforcement tasks. These volunteers play a critical role in enhancing public safety by performing radar checks, conducting vacation house checks for residents away from home, and assisting with clerical duties and vehicle maintenance deliveries.

The VIPS program is designed for those who want to give back to the community while freeing up sworn officers to focus on emergency response and active investigations.

For those seeking a more immersive experience, the department is accepting applications for its Reserve Police Officer program. Unlike general volunteers, Reserve Officers are duly appointed and undergo a rigorous six-month training academy that mirrors the requirements of full-time staff. Once certified, these volunteers carry the same authority and responsibilities as full-time officers, contributing at least 18 hours of service per month. This program is often used as a stepping stone for individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement, though many residents serve as reserves for years simply out of a commitment to local civic duty.

Younger residents between the ages of 15 and 20 can also get involved through the Police Explorer Program. This volunteer organization provides local youth with a firsthand look at the criminal justice system through training, mentorship, and the opportunity to ride along with officers on patrol. Explorers assist at community events like the Klamath Cruise and help with traffic control and crime scene security. Participants are required to maintain a minimum GPA and demonstrate a responsible personal history, making it a prestigious leadership development opportunity for Klamath Falls students.

In addition to these ongoing programs, the KFPD continues to host community-focused events like the Citizen’s Police Academy and the Junior Police Academy. These sessions are designed to build transparency and stronger relationships between the department and the public through hands-on demonstrations in crime scene investigation, firearms safety, and patrol procedures. All prospective volunteers must pass a background check and complete an application process. Interested individuals can find application materials at the department’s headquarters at 2501 Shasta Way or contact the volunteer coordinator at 541-883-5336.

Lighting a Candle in the News Desert: Why I’m Trading the Anchor Desk for the Local News Network

The writing has been on the wall for quite a while now. The television part of KCTV is not working right. The community has set itself against having a TV station in Klamath Falls and the views it gets shows that. It's feast or famine. One day we get a thousand views and then, next day, it's crickets.

In truth, I think I am a bit too old for broadcast news. While I can play at it, the truth is there just isn't enough support in this community to create a TV station with an aging anchor who does it all. Maybe if I had been diagnosed ADHD a little earlier in life, I could have been a TV anchor at some NBC affiliate, but it took me 8 long years to get back into journalism and maybe now that ship has sailed for me.

But rather than curse the darkness, let me light a candle. In truth, I get way more traffic to my website than I ever got for my newscast and in all honesty, it's a lot cheaper to run a website than it is to run a TV station. And while I am a good anchor and a fair to middlin' business owner, God has made it clear to me that I will not be successful going down this route.

So accordingly, I will suspend the newscast that I have done for the last year and focus my efforts on creating a news and information network that serves the News Deserts of America via a website and cell phone app. And I will call it the Local News Network.

Oh, sure there is News Break and Next Door, AP news and a dozen others that focus on National headlines. But there is no news service that I know of that covers the local community college or the local stories that make our hometown America tick. The local fires, and the business openings, the regional stories that make our bread and eggs get more expensive and the news that affects where we live.

That's what's being missed by these national news services that aim for the stars. They miss the stories that give our lives texture. And that my friends is where we find our sweet spot. KCTV has perfected news that serves the local community in a way that the big boys of news have forgotten. That is exactly where we live.

So I present to you, News, Weather, Sports and Roads all for hometown America, where we live and where we raise our families. I invite you to follow along. https://www.klamathcommunity.tv/

KCC Enhances Nursing Education with $114,000 High-Tech Childbirth Simulator

This state-of-the-art addition marks a significant milestone for Klamath Community College (KCC), especially as you prepare to launch your first-ever Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree this year.

Lucina is far from a standard mannequin; she is a high-fidelity, wireless simulator designed by Elevate Health (formerly CAE Healthcare) to provide an immersive experience that bridges the gap between the classroom and the maternity ward.

The $114,000 simulator offers a depth of realism that allows students to practice high-stakes maneuvers safely:

Realistic Physiology: Lucina features integrated maternal-fetal modeling, meaning her vital signs and the fetus's heart rate respond automatically to the "treatments" students administer.
Emergency Scenarios: Beyond routine births, she can simulate seizures, heart attacks, breech births, and postpartum hemorrhaging (where she can actually "bleed" up to two liters of fluid).
Physical Feedback: Her eyes are reactive and can show symptoms like jaundice; she can cry out in pain, breathe, and even undergo a C-section or a Foley catheter insertion.
Versatility: When not used for labor and delivery, her "gravid" (pregnant) abdomen can be swapped for a non-gravid one, allowing her to be used for general medical-surgical training like asthma or pneumonia cases.

The timing of this acquisition is perfect for KCC’s expansion. While Practical Nursing (LPN) students use Lucina for a general overview, Registered Nursing (RN) students—and soon those in the new BSN program—utilize her for the "deep dive" clinical simulations required for advanced licensing.

The BSN program, accredited last year by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, represents a major step forward in addressing the rural nursing shortage in Oregon by allowing local students to earn a four-year degree without leaving the community

Public Hearing Today: Oregon to Finalize New Safeguards for Motor Voter Program

Today, January 6, 2026, the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division is holding a pivotal public hearing to overhaul the administrative rules for Oregon Motor Voter (OMV). This hearing, scheduled for 11:30 AM, is the culmination of months of scrutiny following a series of high-profile data entry errors that led to more than 1,700 non-citizens being mistakenly registered to vote in previous years.

The proposed rules, developed by a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) and informed by an independent audit by Baker Tilly, aim to replace "automatic" registration with a more transparent "active notice" system. Key changes include:

Verbal and Written Notifications: For the first time, DMV technicians will be required to explicitly tell customers if their information is being sent to the Elections Division for registration.
Proof of Citizenship Rigor: The rules mandate that only individuals who provide definitive documentation of U.S. citizenship (such as a passport or birth certificate) are processed through OMV. Data that is "indeterminate" regarding citizenship will be strictly excluded.
Language Accessibility: To ensure all Oregonians understand their rights and the "opt-out" process, OMV materials must now be produced in multiple languages.
Mandatory Training: DMV staff must undergo comprehensive, documented training on voter eligibility and the consequences of registering non-qualified individuals before they are allowed to handle these transactions.
Signature Awareness: Applicants will be notified that the signature they provide at the DMV will be the official one used to verify their mail-in ballots.

Secretary of State Tobias Read has framed these updates as essential for restoring public trust in the state's pioneering automatic registration system. "We’re building a system that serves every voter fairly and reliably," Read stated, emphasizing that these safeguards prioritize "accuracy, security, and rigor."

While the registration system was paused for several months in late 2024 to address these vulnerabilities, the new rules are designed to prevent future clerical errors and ensure that only eligible voters are added to the rolls.

Heavy Snow and High Winds Aim for Cascades Amid Record Low Snowpack

A significant winter storm is set to hammer Oregon’s Cascade passes today, Tuesday, January 6, through Thursday, January 8, 2026. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the northern and central Cascades, forecasting 1 to 2 feet of heavy snow at pass levels. Higher elevations and ridgelines could see even more substantial totals, with some models predicting up to 30 inches.

Travelers should expect extremely dangerous driving conditions on major routes like Highway 26 at Government Camp, Santiam Pass, and Willamette Pass. The heaviest snowfall is expected in two main waves: the first arriving Tuesday afternoon and evening, and the second hitting Wednesday afternoon and evening. This heavy accumulation will be accompanied by gusty winds reaching up to 40 mph, which will likely reduce visibility to near zero and could bring down tree branches or power lines.

This storm arrives as a critical relief for the region's environment. Western Oregon's snowpack has been struggling significantly this season, currently sitting at just 22–25% of its normal levels for early January. While the incoming snow will make mountain travel treacherous, it is a vital step toward closing the massive "snow drought" gap and building the reservoir of water needed for the upcoming spring and summer.

Flu Infections Hit 25-Year High Nationally as Pediatric Hospitalizations Surge in Oregon

Health officials are sounding the alarm as influenza activity across the United States reaches its highest level in a quarter-century. Newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that outpatient visits for flu-like illnesses have surpassed any levels recorded since 1997.

This surge is being driven primarily by a new variant of the Influenza A H3N2 virus known as subclade K, which experts warn differs from the strains included in this year’s vaccine.

In Oregon, the impact on the pediatric population is particularly severe. Doctors at major regional hospitals, including Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, report that the virus is causing a significant second peak of illness this month. Multiple children have been hospitalized with critical complications, some requiring ventilators and heart support. State health data shows that dozens of children under the age of 18 have been hospitalized in the Portland metro area alone since the season began, with officials noting that the vast majority of those requiring intensive care were unvaccinated.

Nationally, the CDC estimates there have already been at least 11 million illnesses and 120,000 hospitalizations this season. The spike follows a holiday period marked by high travel and social gatherings, which facilitated the rapid spread of the highly contagious subclade K variant. While the flu vaccine is still recommended to help prevent the most severe outcomes, the current mismatch with the circulating strain has led to an unusually high volume of "breakthrough" infections and a sharper-than-normal rise in emergency department visits among young people.

New Oregon DMV Rules Prioritize Local Drivers in Rural Counties to Slash Wait Times

Effective January 1, 2026, the Oregon DMV has implemented a new "local preference" policy for behind-the-wheel driving tests in 20 rural counties across the state. Under Senate Bill 9, field offices in less populated areas like Klamath, Baker, and Umatilla counties must now give priority scheduling to residents who live within the same county or within 50 miles of the office. This change aims to stop the trend of "appointment shopping," where urban residents from the Willamette Valley travel long distances to rural offices to secure faster test dates, often displacing locals in the process.

The new rules apply specifically to Class C passenger vehicle licenses and are designed to ensure that rural Oregonians can access essential services within their own communities. For years, residents in counties such as Lake and Harney have faced months-long delays because their limited appointment slots were being filled by applicants from Portland or Salem. Under the new system, rural customers can schedule these priority appointments through on-site lobby kiosks, by speaking directly with an employee, or by calling a dedicated customer service line where residency will be verified.

Importantly, the standard DMV2U online portal will continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis for all Oregonians, but the specific local-preference slots are reserved for those meeting the residency requirements. State officials believe this targeted approach will significantly improve efficiency and reduce travel burdens for those living in the state's most remote regions. Residents in counties without a dedicated DMV office, such as Gilliam and Wheeler, are also eligible for priority scheduling at any neighboring rural field office.

Bend Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Rollover
on Highway 31

A 62-year-old Bend man was killed Sunday morning, January 4, 2026, following a violent single-vehicle crash in northern Klamath County. The Oregon State Police identified the victim as Randy Laverne Samples. According to the preliminary investigation, Samples was driving a southbound Dodge Ram 1500 near milepost 12 when he entered a designated passing lane to overtake another vehicle. As he transitioned back, the pickup lost control and slid off the roadway.

The crash turned catastrophic when the truck’s driver-side tires caught in a ditch, causing the vehicle to roll and become airborne before finally coming to rest against a tree. Samples was declared deceased at the scene by emergency responders. A passenger in the vehicle, 56-year-old Roland Lea Buckman, also of Bend, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a regional hospital for treatment.

Highway 31 was partially blocked for approximately three hours while the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit documented the scene. Investigators have cited excessive speed and slick roadway conditions as the primary factors contributing to the accident. The Oregon Department of Transportation assisted with traffic control during the investigation, which remains ongoing.

KCC Student Wins Top Scholarship at National Circle of Change Leadership Conference

Six students from Klamath Community College (KCC) recently returned from a transformative experience at the national Circle of Change Leadership Conference in Los Angeles, with one student emerging as a top award winner. Deseray Cerrillo-Hernandez, a KCC student and TRiO program participant, beat out 67 other applicants to earn one of only two scholarships awarded during the event. Cerrillo-Hernandez noted that the experience was vital in building her public speaking skills and personal confidence, describing the energy of the conference as a powerful motivator for her future academic goals.

The KCC delegation, which also included students Chris Mercado, Evangeline Daisog, Rebecca Hedges, Justin Fields, and Korina Hildebrand, attended the multi-day event held at California State University, Los Angeles. Accompanied by TRiO Student Support Services Director Hailie Mentz, the group participated in workshops focused on professional development and "board-breaking" ice-breakers designed to push students out of their comfort zones. The students involved represented various backgrounds, including first-generation college students and those supported by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

For many of the attendees, the conference provided a unique opportunity to network with top-tier professionals and gain a new perspective on their career paths. Students like Chris Mercado, who aspires to become a veterinarian, and Rebecca Hedges, who is studying geomatics, credited the national speakers with helping them stay on track and find new sources of motivation. The college utilized TRiO funding and state grants to ensure these emerging leaders could participate in the national dialogue on student success and career preparation.

Oregon Students Share Lived Experiences in Second Year of Statewide Equity Survey

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has released the results of its second annual Student Educational Equity Development (SEED) survey, offering a rare window into how more than 180,000 students across the state actually feel about their schooling. The survey, which reached approximately 47% of eligible students in grades 3 through 11 during the 2024-2025 school year, focuses on subjective experiences like sense of belonging and self-efficacy rather than traditional academic testing. While the state never collected this type of data prior to 2020, officials now view it as a critical "lever" for identifying where systems can be adjusted to improve actual student outcomes.

One of the most striking findings involves classroom representation, with over 50% of students reporting that their readings and assignments "never" or "rarely" include people who look like them or their families. This feeling of being invisible in the curriculum was most pronounced among male students, multiracial students, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. Conversely, a success story emerged regarding Oregon's Senate Bill 13, which mandated Native American curricula; approximately 75% of fourth graders and over 60% of students in several other grades reported "sometimes" or "often" learning about Oregon’s tribes and Native history.

General sentiment toward school safety and support remains high, as over 80% of participants agreed they feel welcome and have adults at school who care about them. However, a significant disconnect persists regarding engagement, as "I like going to school" was the only statement to receive a high "disagree" rate, particularly among seventh and eighth graders. Despite this dip in middle school enthusiasm, high school students remain aspirational, with 67% indicating they are "probably" or "definitely" considering a four-year college after graduation.

New to this year’s data are "domain scores," which assign numerical values to student responses to make the information easier for districts to interpret and compare. These scores allow administrators to see exactly where specific groups—such as students experiencing poverty or students with disabilities—may be reporting a lower sense of belonging. ODE Director Charlene Williams emphasized that while the numbers are vital, they serve primarily as a starting point to help schools develop more "precise solutions" for ensuring every student feels valued and prepared.

Ten Years After Malheur Occupation, Harney County Finds Unity in Shared Survival

A decade has passed since the silence of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was shattered by an armed takeover that thrust southeast Oregon into a global spotlight. On January 2, 2016, Ammon Bundy and a group of militants seized the refuge headquarters, sparking a 41-day standoff that centered on a radical interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and the management of public lands. Today, as the high desert landscape remains as vast and remote as ever, the residents of Harney County reflect on the event not as a liberation, but as a period of exploitation that ultimately failed to fracture their community.

The occupation ended in mid-February 2016 after the arrest of the Bundy brothers and the fatal shooting of spokesperson Robert "LaVoy" Finicum by state police. While the legal aftermath saw the Bundys acquitted in federal court—a verdict that stunned many at the time—the social aftermath in Harney County told a different story. Former District Attorney Tim Colahan describes the disruption as a "huge blow," but notes that the attempt to cause disunity between neighbors ultimately backfired. Rather than adopting the "sovereign citizen" ideology brought in by outsiders, many locals felt the militants were "carpetbaggers" who used a local ranching dispute to further a national anti-government agenda.

The resilience of Harney County is largely attributed to the High Desert Partnership, a coalition that was already in place long before the militants arrived. By bringing together ranchers, the Burns-Paiute Tribe, conservationists, and federal agencies, the partnership had already begun solving land-use conflicts through collaboration rather than confrontation. Executive Director Brenda Smith notes that the community was "moving on even as it was happening," choosing to focus on tangible local issues like groundwater scarcity and invasive species management rather than the culture wars broadcast by international media.

While the scars of 2016 remain—ranging from the million-dollar repairs to refuge facilities to the lingering trauma of courthouse employees—the 10-year anniversary finds Harney County leaning into its isolation as a strength. Residents like Jeff Rose, a retired Bureau of Land Management official, emphasize that while opinions on federal overreach still vary, the shared value of being a "good neighbor" has outlasted the ideology of the occupation. Today, the refuge serves its original purpose as a vital stop for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway, standing as a quiet testament to a community that chose cooperation over conflict.

Salem Council to Reconsider Appointment of Convicted Murderer to Public Safety Boards

In Salem, Oregon, a significant controversy has erupted following the appointment of Kyle Hedquist, a convicted murderer, to two high-level public safety positions. Hedquist was recently appointed to serve on the Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission, leading to intense backlash from law enforcement unions and local officials.

The outrage stems from Hedquist’s criminal history and the nature of his release. In 1994, at the age of 18, he murdered 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher in Douglas County. Prosecutors described the killing as an execution intended to eliminate Thrasher as a witness to a burglary.

Hedquist was originally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, his sentence was commuted in 2022 by then-Governor Kate Brown, a move that was strongly opposed by prosecutors and the victim's family at the time.

Public safety professionals and local leaders are now pushing for his removal, citing concerns over public trust and the appropriateness of a convicted murderer overseeing police conduct and civil service matters.

Political Reversal: Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, who initially voted for Hedquist's appointment, recently announced she would seek his removal. She cited "new information" regarding the specific details of his crime and noted that the appointment had damaged the integrity of the police review board.
Union Opposition: Both the Salem Police Employees Union and the Salem Firefighters Union have issued strong statements opposing his presence on the boards, arguing that the decision lacks common sense and disrespects crime victims.
Next Steps: The Salem City Council is scheduled to revisit the reappointment at a meeting on January 12, 2026.

While Hedquist has defended his service, stating he has been rehabilitated and wishes to give back to the community, the council appears increasingly likely to vote for his removal to restore public confidence in the oversight boards.

Heavy Snow and Hazardous Travel Expected as Winter Storm Watch Hits Klamath County and Cascades

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Oregon Cascades, including the mountains of Klamath County, as a series of potent winter systems move through the region. While the most intense impacts are forecast for higher elevations, the Klamath Basin and surrounding mountain passes are expected to see significant snowfall and difficult travel conditions through Thursday, January 8, 2026.

The National Weather Service in Medford has placed the Southern Oregon Cascades and the eastern foothills under a Winter Storm Watch beginning Tuesday morning, January 6, and lasting through Thursday afternoon.

Heavy snow is the primary concern, with the heaviest accumulations expected between Tuesday evening and Wednesday night. For the Klamath Basin specifically, a Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect through noon today, January 5, as an initial wave of moisture brings several inches of snow to the valley floor.

Forecasters are predicting a wide range of totals based on elevation:

Mountain Peaks and Ridgelines: Higher elevations in the Cascades could see 1 to 2 feet of new snow by Thursday.
Major Mountain Passes: Areas such as Willamette Pass, Crater Lake, and Diamond Lake are forecast to receive 8 to 16 inches.
Klamath Basin Floor: Lower elevations, including Klamath Falls, are expected to see lighter amounts, generally between 2 to 4 inches total through Monday, with additional light accumulation possible midweek.
Eastern Foothills: The foothills east of the Cascades could see 4 to 8 inches of snow as the cold front pushes through.

The incoming storms will likely create hazardous driving conditions on major corridors including Highway 97, Highway 140, and Highway 62.

Officials warn that travel could become very difficult to impossible at higher elevations due to heavy snowfall and blowing snow. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 40 mph over exposed terrain, which may cause drifting and reduced visibility. Travelers are encouraged to carry a winter emergency kit, check road conditions via TripCheck, and consider delaying travel over mountain passes during the peak of the storm on Wednesday.

Experienced Oregon Pilot and Three Nieces Killed in Arizona Helicopter Crash on Wedding Day

A tragic helicopter accident in the rugged mountains of Arizona has claimed the lives of an experienced Oregon pilot and his three young nieces. The crash occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026, just hours before the pilot, David McCarty, 59, was scheduled to be married.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office reported that the MD 369FF helicopter went down around 11:00 a.m. in the remote Telegraph Canyon, located south of Superior and about 60 miles east of Phoenix. McCarty had taken his nieces on a sightseeing flight from Pegasus Airpark in Queen Creek before his planned wedding ceremony later that afternoon.

The four victims were all from Eastern Oregon and were in Arizona to celebrate the upcoming wedding.

David McCarty (59): A resident of Baker City and owner of Columbia Basin Helicopters in La Grande. He was a veteran pilot with decades of experience in specialized operations like firefighting and power-line construction.
Rachel McCarty (23) and Faith McCarty (21): Sisters and nieces of David McCarty, both of whom attended Echo High School.
Katelyn Heideman (22): A cousin to Rachel and Faith and also a niece of David McCarty. She was a graduate of Hermiston High School.

Initial evidence suggests the helicopter collided with a recreational slackline (highline) that had been strung across the canyon. The line was reportedly more than half a mile long and stretched across the mountain range at a significant height.

An eyewitness who called 911 reported seeing the helicopter strike the line before plunging to the canyon floor. Due to the extremely rugged and remote terrain, search and rescue teams had to hike several hours on foot to reach the wreckage, confirming by 5:00 p.m. that there were no survivors.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation. A key focus will be whether the slackline was properly marked for aviation safety. Preliminary reports indicate the line may have had aviation markers, but the NTSB is expected to release a more detailed factual report within 30 days.

The loss has devastated the close-knit communities of La Grande, Baker City, and Hermiston. Family members, including Elizabeth Gallup—sister to Rachel and Faith—have asked for prayers as they navigate what was meant to be a weekend of celebration. David McCarty was well-known in the Pacific Northwest for his aerial support business, which he founded in 1997.

Tractor Supply Co. Launches New Klamath Falls Store with Grand Opening Weekend

Klamath Falls residents welcomed a new major retailer this past weekend as Tractor Supply Co. officially opened its doors on January 3 and 4, 2026. The new store, located at 3834 South 6th Street, held a series of grand opening events to introduce the community to its wide range of rural lifestyle products and specialized services.

The Klamath Falls location brings several highly anticipated amenities to the area, catering to pet owners, farmers, and DIY enthusiasts.

Pet Wash Center: A professional-grade station allowing pet owners to wash their animals on-site for a flat fee of $9.99.
Full-Service Feed Center: The store features a dedicated feed section providing bulk and single-bag options for equine, livestock, and poultry.
Expansive Inventory: Beyond farm supplies, the location stocks hardware, gardening tools, power equipment, and workwear from brands like Carhartt and Blue Mountain.

The weekend-long celebration featured exclusive "Grand Opening" deals and giveaways for early shoppers. As part of its community-focused mission, the store invited local residents to explore the new 20,000-square-foot facility, which occupies a prominent space in the city's main retail corridor.

Store officials noted that the Klamath Falls branch is specifically designed to support the "Life Out Here" lifestyle common in Southern Oregon, offering everything from welding equipment and well pumps to localized gardening supplies. While the store is now officially open for daily business, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony with local chamber officials is scheduled for later this month.

The new store is now operating under its regular winter schedule:

Monday through Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The arrival of Tractor Supply Co. fills a significant retail gap in the Klamath Basin, joining other regional agricultural and hardware staples to serve the growing needs of the local community.

Oregon Receives $197 Million for Rural Health Care Amid Massive Medicaid Cuts

Oregon is set to receive $197.3 million in 2026 to bolster its rural health care infrastructure, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last Monday. While the funding represents a significant investment, state health officials and hospital leaders warn that it is a "silver lining" in a much larger storm of federal budget cuts.

The award comes from a $50 billion fund established under H.R. 1, also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which President Donald Trump signed into law in July 2025. The fund was created as a concession to rural lawmakers concerned about the bill's broader fiscal impacts.

Medicaid Reductions: H.R. 1 is projected to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion nationwide over the next decade.
Impact on Oregon: The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) estimates a loss of $11.7 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next ten years.
Health Coverage Risks: Between 100,000 and 210,000 Oregonians are projected to lose coverage due to new eligibility rules, including work requirements starting in 2027.

Despite the influx of cash, federal rules severely limit how the $197 million can be used. Hospitals struggling with daily operational losses will find little direct relief.

The 15% Cap: According to CMS rules, no more than 15% of the award can be used to pay health care providers directly for patient care or to cover Medicaid payment gaps.
Targeted Investments: The remaining 85% must be directed toward new technology (such as AI and remote monitoring), workforce pipeline development, and preventative health programs.

The funding arrives as Oregon's rural health system faces a financial crisis. State data shows that 14 out of 37 rural hospitals in Oregon lost money on patient care last year. Becky Hultberg, CEO of the Hospital Association of Oregon, emphasized that many facilities are currently "fighting just to keep services available" and urged that funding be shifted toward stabilizing these essential institutions.

Clare Pierce-Wrobel of the OHA confirmed the state will spend the money in two distinct phases to maximize its impact:

Immediate Impact Awards: Focused on short-term, "ready-to-go" projects that can improve care quality starting in early 2026.
Catalyst Awards: Focused on long-term sustainability, including cross-sector collaboration and infrastructure, with applications expected to open in Spring 2026.

While HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hailed the investment as a "historic" move toward affordable local care, Oregon officials maintain that the fund will not fully offset the massive long-term losses triggered by the new federal budget.

NW Democrats Condemn "Unconstitutional" Venezuela Strike as "No Kings" Rallies Surge in Portland

Thousands gathered in downtown Portland and at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park yesterday for the "No Kings Rally," a massive demonstration that merged with urgent protests against the Trump administration's recent military operation in Venezuela. The event, which saw tens of thousands of participants in Portland alone, was part of a broader nationwide movement. While the main march across the Hawthorne Bridge remained peaceful, a secondary "No Kings/No National Guards" protest near the South Waterfront ICE facility resulted in a tense standoff where federal agents reportedly used tear gas and pepper balls to disperse crowds.

Local and regional Democratic lawmakers have been swift and vocal in their condemnation of the administration’s actions. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon both characterized the military strike and the capture of Nicolás Maduro as a violation of the U.S. Constitution, arguing that the President lacks the authority to engage in such maneuvers without a formal declaration of war from Congress.

Representative Andrea Salinas described the operation as a "dangerous escalation" and an outright act of war, while Representative Val Hoyle criticized the move as "extreme executive overreach" that risks pulling the nation into another long-term foreign conflict.

The administration’s rationale for the operation has also faced scrutiny from Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who emphasized that while Maduro has long been a destabilizing force, unilateral military action bypasses necessary democratic oversight. Meanwhile, Senator Tim Kaine has already signaled his intent to introduce a War Powers Resolution on Monday to challenge the legality of the strikes and ensure a congressional vote on any further military engagement in the region.

Whale Death Near Yachats Ignites Push for "Pop-Up" Crab Gear to Protect Migrating Humpbacks

Wildlife officials and environmental groups are calling for urgent changes to Oregon’s crabbing regulations following the death of a young humpback whale near Yachats. The whale, estimated to be between one and two years old, was found stranded north of the city on November 15, 2025, entangled in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear. Despite a multi-day rescue effort by the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network and dozens of local volunteers, responders were unable to free the animal from the shallow surf. Experts eventually determined that the whale was too weak to survive another tide cycle and humanely euthanized the animal on November 17.

The incident has sparked a renewed debate over the impact of vertical fishing lines on migrating marine life. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries confirmed the gear involved was from the 2023–2024 Oregon commercial Dungeness crab season. In response, a coalition of conservation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity and Oceana, filed a formal petition in December 2025 urging the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt stricter safety measures. Their proposals include a mandate for "pop-up" or ropeless fishing gear, which eliminates the long vertical lines that frequently lead to entanglements.

State wildlife managers at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) are currently investigating the specific circumstances of the entanglement while assisting in a full necropsy. Although the state has previously implemented pot limits and late-season depth restrictions to protect whales, advocates argue these voluntary advisories are insufficient. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to review the petition and consider new rulemaking—including potential requirements for electronic vessel monitoring and experimental gear permits—by March 2026.

Heavy Rain and "Saturated" Snowpack Force Southern Oregon Ski Areas to Pause Operations

Warm temperatures and heavy rainfall have brought a sudden halt to the 2026 ski season across the region, forcing Mt. Ashland and other local hills to suspend operations during the first weekend of the year. While mountains in the north like Mt. Hood Meadows paused briefly to allow their snowpack to drain, Southern Oregon resorts face a more dire "snow drought," with current snow levels sitting nearly 70% below the seasonal average.

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area officially paused all ski operations indefinitely starting New Year's Day. Mountain officials announced that a combination of a thinning base and a forecast dominated by rain made it impossible to maintain safe, sustainable skiing surfaces.

Refunds and Programs: All pre-purchased lift tickets, rentals, and lessons are being refunded automatically. The School and Youth Group programs have also been put on hold until significant snowfall returns.
Preserving the Base: General Manager Andrew Sheere noted that the decision was made to protect the existing snow from further damage, as running machinery on "saturated" and soft snow can strip the mountain down to the dirt.

The warm weather pattern has affected other Southern Oregon and Northern California recreation areas as well. Warner Canyon near Lakeview remains closed as it awaits its target opening snow depth, while Mt. Shasta Ski Park to the south has faced similar challenges with high freezing levels turning potential powder into heavy slush.

Meteorologists are tracking a potential pattern shift for the second week of January, with colder air expected to move in by Tuesday or Wednesday. Ski area operators are hopeful that this upcoming system will bring the "reset" needed to firm up the mountain and allow for a mid-month reopening. In the meantime, Mt. Ashland officials are urging the community to "stay optimistic" while they monitor the evolving weather.

"The Healing is Real": Klamath Indigenous Land Trust Reclaims 10,000 Acres for Salmon Recovery

In a historic move for tribal sovereignty and river restoration, the Klamath Indigenous Land Trust (KILT) has successfully reclaimed 10,000 acres of ancestral land along the Klamath River from PacifiCorp. The transaction, finalized in late December 2025, stands as one of the largest private land purchases by an Indigenous-led land trust in United States history.

The newly acquired land spans the former reservoir reach, including critical areas upstream of and adjacent to the four dams removed in 2024. This acquisition ensures that stewardship of these vital corridors is guided by Indigenous ecological values for the first time in over a century.

Salmon Recovery: The deal secures 10,000 acres of habitat essential for the long-term health of Chinook and coho salmon, which began returning to these headwaters in late 2025 for the first time in 100 years.

Cultural Protection: KILT plans to develop comprehensive management strategies that prioritize the protection of sacred tribal sites and cultural resources that were previously submerged or inaccessible.

Collaborative Vision: While the trust is a private nonprofit formed by leaders from four basin tribes, its mission is to foster a landscape-scale healing process that benefits the entire region’s ecology.

The purchase was made possible through major contributions from the Catena Foundation, the Community Foundation of New Jersey, and an anonymous donor. Looking ahead to early 2026, the land trust will begin implementing fire management and habitat recovery plans, working closely with local tribal governments to ensure the land is stewarded sustainably for future generations.

Community Tradition and Conservation Milestones: Klamath Falls Rings in 2026

12c80c_77123454225643e1947632bddc9fdc8f~mv2.jpg

In keeping with a local New Year’s tradition, runners braved the early morning chill on January 1 to participate in the Hangover Handicap in Klamath Falls. The annual 2.3-mile run, hosted by the Linkville Lopers, drew a spirited crowd to Veterans Park at 9 a.m. for a flat loop through the downtown area. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, the event offered free entry and special awards for the fastest male and female finishers, as well as the top-performing dog.

While the Klamath Falls race served as a local highlight, similar New Year’s Day "hangover" runs took place across the region and beyond. In Monclova, athletes gathered for a 5K Run/Walk and a 1K Kids Race, where participants were encouraged to wear festive pajamas or robes.

These events have become a staple for regional running communities, providing a low-stakes, social environment for athletes to kick off their fitness goals for 2026 regardless of their previous night’s celebrations.

As the winter racing season continues, Southern Oregon runners are looking ahead to a busy spring schedule. Major upcoming events in the area include the Spence Mountain Run in May, which will offer half-marathon, 30K, and 50K distances, and the highly anticipated Crater Lake Rim Runs later in the summer. For those who missed the New Year’s Day start, local clubs like the Linkville Lopers and the Oregon Road Runners Club have already opened registration for several mid-winter trail sessions and workshops.

Southern Oregon Winter Storm Alert: Heavy Winds and Fresh Snow Arrive as Resorts Navigate Low Base

A significant winter pattern shift is underway across Southern Oregon this weekend, bringing a mix of high-elevation snow and lower-elevation rain that is finally challenging the recent "pineapple express" warm spell. While the region has struggled with a low snowpack to start the year, the forecast for January 3 and 4 shows colder air finally arriving, though it remains a bit of a waiting game for several major ski areas.

Mt. Ashland has officially suspended all ski operations as of January 1 due to the combination of previous rain and a lack of sufficient base. While the mountain is seeing snow in the forecast for today and Sunday, current base depths are sitting at just 10 inches on the lower mountain and 16 inches at mid-mountain. Management is monitoring the incoming storm closely and plans to reassess the possibility of reopening once the system passes early next week. For now, the mountain remains closed to the public.

Further east, Warner Canyon near Lakeview is facing similar challenges. Although their 2026 calendar lists this weekend as a potential opening window, the area currently reports zero trails open and no lifts running. The forecast for Warner Mountain shows light snow through Saturday and into Sunday morning, but heavy winds are the primary story there. Gusts could reach as high as 50 mph today, which would likely complicate any operations even if there were enough snow to ski.

The most active spot in the region is Willamette Pass Resort, which is currently spinning its beginner terrain on the Sleepy Hollow run through Sunday. The resort saw some rain overnight but expects a transition to all snow by late Saturday afternoon. They are forecasting 1 to 3 inches of new accumulation both Saturday night and during the day on Sunday. However, the resort has already announced a temporary closure starting Monday to preserve the snow they have while waiting for more substantial "base-building" storms later in the week.

Travelers across Southern Oregon should be prepared for difficult conditions on the passes. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for the South Central Oregon Cascades above 5,000 feet, with 5 to 10 inches of total snow expected through Sunday afternoon. High-elevation routes like Highway 138 near Diamond Lake and Highway 140 at Lake of the Woods will likely be slick with limited visibility due to blowing snow and gusts up to 40 mph.

Race Against Time to Save Crater Lake’s Unique Newt

Biologists and conservationists are intensifying efforts to rescue the Mazama newt, a subspecies found nowhere else on Earth, as non-native predators push the population to the brink of extinction. Recent surveys within Crater Lake National Park reveal a stark ecological shift, with invasive signal crayfish now occupying more than 95% of the shoreline while the native newts have been relegated to just 5% of their historic habitat.

The recovery effort took a significant step forward this year as the program transitioned into a critical captive breeding phase. Originally launched in 2024 at the High Desert Museum in Bend, the initiative recently relocated a group of wild-caught newts to a specialized laboratory at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. This "Mazama newt lab" is designed to meticulously replicate the unique water quality and temperature of Crater Lake, allowing scientists to study the species' lifecycle and, ideally, produce offspring to eventually bolster the wild population.

Dave Hering, an aquatic biologist for Crater Lake National Park, emphasized that the laboratory setting offers a rare opportunity to gather data that is nearly impossible to collect in the deep, rugged environment of the lake. During collection dives this past August and September, teams managed to secure 30 specimens—19 found near the shore and 11 from deeper waters—to support these ongoing studies.

The crisis stems from a decision made over a century ago. In 1915, signal crayfish were introduced to the lake to provide food for non-native trout and salmon. However, the move backfired ecologically. The crayfish not only prey directly on the newts but also consume their food sources and destroy the algae that sustain the lake's broader invertebrate population. Furthermore, crayfish aggression forces the newts out of protective cover and into open water, where they become easy targets for predatory fish.

The severity of the situation prompted a multi-agency workshop last August, where experts from the Oregon Zoo, the Klamath Tribes, and several major universities developed a 10-year emergency action plan. This roadmap aims to find long-term solutions for rebuilding the population, even as previous attempts to physically remove the crayfish through trapping proved unsuccessful. Hering noted that while a three-year trapping effort removed thousands of crayfish, their numbers rebounded rapidly, suggesting that elimination may be impossible with current methods.

On the legal front, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently conducting an in-depth evaluation to determine if the Mazama newt warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. The review follows a petition and a subsequent notice of intent to sue from the Center for Biological Diversity, which argues that the species' restricted range and the relentless pressure from invasive predators require immediate federal intervention.

While the administrative process for an endangered listing could take four or more years, Hering remains focused on the collaborative work happening on the ground. He described the partnership between the park, the zoo, and the museum as a vital lifeline for the species, noting that the collective expertise of the scientific community is providing the first real "roadmap" to prevent the newt's extinction.

Merkley Kicks Off 2026 Statewide Tour With Southern Oregon Town Halls

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley has officially launched his 2026 town hall tour, continuing his long-standing commitment to hold community conversations in all 36 Oregon counties every year. The first eight events of the year are scheduled for the second weekend of January, with several key stops focused on Southern Oregon and the coast.

The tour moves into Southern Oregon starting Saturday, January 10, with a visit to Douglas County. This meeting is set for 11:00 am at the Umpqua Community College Southern Oregon Wine Institute in Roseburg. Later that afternoon, the Senator will hold a Coos County town hall at 3:00 pm at the North Bend Community Center. The day concludes in Curry County with a 6:00 pm event at Driftwood School in Port Orford.

On Sunday, January 11, the focus remains on the southern region with two additional stops. A Jackson County town hall will take place at 12:30 pm in the Ashland High School Gymnasium. Senator Merkley will then travel to Josephine County for a 3:30 pm conversation at the Rogue Community College Gym (U Building) in Grants Pass.

The initial leg of the tour actually begins on Friday, January 9, in the Willamette Valley. These early stops include a 10:30 am meeting in Yamhill County at the McMinnville Community Center, followed by a 1:00 pm event in Polk County at Western Oregon University in Monmouth. The first day of the tour wraps up with a Marion County town hall at 3:30 pm at the Chemeketa Community College Gym in Salem.

These meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for constituents to hear updates on legislative work in Washington, D.C., and to ask questions directly. While no RSVPs are required, the Senator’s office has noted that venues may reach capacity due to high turnout in recent years.

Heading 3

Mt. Hood Meadows Halts Operations as Rain Saturates Rare Snowpack

Mt. Hood Meadows has suspended all operations for Friday and Saturday, January 2–3, following a heavy rain event that has severely compromised the mountain's fragile snowpack. The resort, which saw its latest opening on record just last week on December 23, made the decision to close in an effort to preserve what remains of its base after temperatures rose into the high 30s.

Management stated that the closure is necessary to allow water to drain from the "saturated" snowpack. Operating heavy machinery or allowing skier traffic under these slushy conditions could cause long-term damage to the trails and hinder the resort's ability to reopen when temperatures eventually drop. The mountain's current base depth sits between 25 and 32 inches, which is significantly below historical averages for early January.

The situation at Meadows reflects a broader "snow drought" affecting much of the Pacific Northwest this season. Other regional resorts are facing similar struggles; Mt. Ashland in Southern Oregon also paused operations indefinitely starting New Year’s Day due to rain and low snow, while Timberline Lodge has been forced to limit terrain and close specific lifts.

Meteorologists are tracking a potential pattern shift that could bring colder air and fresh snowfall by Sunday morning and into the middle of next week. Meadows officials will reassess conditions on Saturday evening to determine if a Sunday reopening is possible. Despite the current setback, the resort still plans to host its popular "Provide to Ride" food drive event on Tuesday, January 6.

A Decade Later: Harney County Reflects on the Malheur Refuge Occupation

January 2, 2026, marks exactly ten years since a group of armed, anti-government militants led by Ammon and Ryan Bundy seized the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon. The 41-day standoff, which drew international attention to the remote high desert of Harney County, remains a pivotal moment in the history of the American West, highlighting deep-seated tensions over federal land management.

In the decade since the occupation ended, Harney County has largely focused on healing and local collaboration. Residents and local officials frequently credit the Harney County Restoration Board and the Malheur Basin Working Group for fostering a new era of cooperation between ranchers, environmentalists, and federal agencies. While the 2016 event remains a vivid memory for many, community leaders emphasize that the "outsider-led" movement failed to take permanent root, instead galvanizing locals to solve issues like water scarcity and wildfire prevention through unified local action.

The anniversary has prompted a wave of retrospection across the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) recently aired a commemorative documentary featuring interviews with residents who described the occupation as an "exploitation" of local grievances that ultimately tore at the community's social fabric. Meanwhile, the Burns Paiute Tribe continues to remind the public of the occupation's impact on sacred ancestral lands, noting that the militants' claims of "returning land to the people" ignored the thousands of years of Indigenous history tied to the refuge.

At the refuge itself, operations have long since returned to their core mission of wildlife conservation. However, the site still bears the weight of its history; the events of 2016 led to significant security upgrades at federal facilities across the country. Today, the refuge serves as a quiet sanctuary for migratory birds, standing in stark contrast to the tactical gear and media circuses that defined it ten years ago.

Heading 3

Heavy Rain and Freezing Fog Trigger Travel Warnings Across Oregon Cascades

As the first weekend of January 2026 begins, Oregon transportation officials are urging extreme caution due to a combination of seasonal road closures and a volatile weather pattern. The Cascade Lakes Highway remains closed for the winter season between Dutchman Flat and Crescent Cutoff Road, as Deschutes and Klamath County crews have suspended maintenance for the high-elevation route until the spring thaw. Paulina Lake Road is also closed east of Ten Mile Sno-Park, with both highways typically remaining inaccessible until Memorial Day weekend.

Weather conditions through Sunday, January 4, are creating significant hazards on open mountain passes. The National Weather Service has issued advisories for dense freezing fog across North Central Oregon and the foothills of the Blue Mountains, reducing visibility to less than a quarter-mile in many areas. Additionally, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for elevations above 5,000 feet, where 5 to 10 inches of new snow and wind gusts up to 45 mph are expected to create blowing snow and slick pavement.

In the lower elevations and western slopes, a "wet weather pattern" has brought heavy rain that is saturating the existing snowpack. This has led to flooding concerns in coastal areas like Coos Bay and saturated, slushy conditions at regional ski resorts. ODOT’s TripCheck system currently lists Siskiyou Summit and Tombstone Pass as "Snow Zones," requiring travelers to carry chains or use traction tires as rain transitions to snow overnight.

Motorists are advised to check current conditions before heading out, as rapid temperature fluctuations are creating a high risk of black ice, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Emergency kits and extra travel time are strongly recommended for anyone crossing the Cascades this weekend.

Klamath Falls Welcomes New Year with 33rd Annual Bullmania

The Klamath County Event Center transformed into a high-energy rodeo arena on Wednesday night as Bullmania returned for its 33rd year, carrying on the city’s most iconic New Year’s Eve tradition. Held in the John Hancock Arena, the event drew a massive crowd for an evening of professional bull riding, saddle bronc action, and a midnight celebration that lived up to its reputation as one of the largest in the region.

The competition featured elite athletes vying for a share of the purse, which included an additional $12,000 in added prize money. To ensure fans didn't miss a second of the fast-paced action, every ride was broadcast on a giant big screen with live instant replays. Adding to the entertainment was Northwest "Clown of the Year" Kyle Bode, whose veteran experience as a barrelman for both the PRCA and PBR kept the energy high between rides.

This year’s event was bolstered by the world-class roster of Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls. Moreno, famously known for owning the legendary PBR World Champion Bushwacker, brought a powerful lineup of the champion’s "teammates and brothers," many of whom have seen action at the PBR Finals in Las Vegas. The caliber of stock provided a significant challenge for the riders and a thrilling spectacle for the audience.

As the rodeo concluded, the arena floor shifted from dirt to dance floor for a New Year’s Eve party headlined by the Sleepless Truckers. The band’s signature "Outlaw Country" sound—blending Americana grit with the influence of legends like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash—set the stage for the final countdown. The night reached its peak at midnight with "Oregon’s largest balloon drop," officially ushering in 2026 for the Klamath Basin community.

Oregon Battles Federal Overreach: 53 Lawsuits Filed in 2025 to Protect Billions in State Funding

As of late December 2025, the State of Oregon has filed at least 53 lawsuits against the federal government during the second Trump administration. These legal actions have focused heavily on protecting federal funding for state programs and challenging executive orders related to social issues, immigration, and environmental policy.

The Oregon Department of Justice has reported that the actual cost of this litigation is significantly lower than some public estimates. According to state records released in late 2025, the Department of Justice spent approximately $19,000 on direct legal fees and travel expenses for these cases. This low out-of-pocket cost is due to Oregon frequently joining multi-state coalitions where the legal workload is shared among several states. Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s office maintains that these lawsuits have successfully protected or recovered approximately $4.5 billion in federal funding for Oregon, including money for medical research at OHSU, electric vehicle infrastructure, and education programs.

One of the most recent and prominent legal actions involves Oregon leading a 19-state coalition against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The lawsuit, filed in late December 2025, seeks to block a federal "declaration" issued by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that labeled gender-affirming care for minors as "unsafe and ineffective." The federal policy threatens to exclude hospitals and doctors from Medicare and Medicaid programs if they provide such care. Oregon's lawsuit argues that the administration is attempting to bypass the formal rulemaking process and overstep its authority by interfering in medical decisions protected under Oregon state law.

Beyond healthcare, Oregon has engaged in several other high-profile legal battles throughout the year:

National Guard Federalization: Oregon successfully obtained a permanent injunction in November 2025 to stop the federalization and deployment of the Oregon National Guard to Portland, which the administration had ordered to protect federal property during protests.
Consumer Protection: Oregon is currently leading a multi-state suit to block the administration from effectively defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by withholding its operating budget.
Tariffs: The state joined a challenge against 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, arguing that the President lacks the constitutional authority to impose such taxes without Congressional approval; a federal court sided with the states in late 2025.
Victims of Crime Funding: A lawsuit filed in August 2025 prevented the federal government from withholding $1.4 billion in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds that the administration had tried to tie to state cooperation with immigration enforcement.

Governor Kotek: No Official Word on Troop Return Despite New Year's Eve Announcement

As of January 2, 2026, Governor Tina Kotek is still awaiting formal, written orders to demobilize the remaining federalized Oregon National Guard troops, despite President Trump’s New Year’s Eve announcement that he would withdraw National Guard forces from Portland, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, President Trump stated on social media that he was dropping the push to keep National Guard troops in these cities, claiming their presence had successfully reduced crime. However, the President’s announcement was paired with a warning that the military could return if crime "begins to soar again."

Governor Kotek responded by noting that as of the first days of 2026, her office has received no official outreach or documentation from the White House or the Department of Defense confirming that the troops have been returned to state command. Approximately 100 Oregon National Guard members remain mobilized under federal control, though they have been barred from active deployment on Portland streets by a series of federal court orders throughout the fall of 2025.

The confusion follows months of legal friction between Oregon and the federal government:

The Federalization Order: The troops were originally federalized in late September 2025 to protect federal property, such as the ICE facility in South Portland, against the wishes of state leadership.
Court Injunctions: U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a permanent injunction in November 2025, ruling the deployment unlawful because there was no "rebellion" or breakdown of law that justified federalizing the Guard.
Estimated Expenses: The Oregon Military Department estimated that the ongoing mobilization of these troops has cost taxpayers approximately $16 million in total, primarily due to the logistics of keeping soldiers activated at training camps while legal battles played out.

While some Oregon troops were demobilized in late November, the final group of 100 soldiers remains in a state of limbo. State officials, including Attorney General Dan Rayfield, have expressed skepticism regarding the President’s social media claims, noting that the "withdrawal" may simply be a strategic move to avoid further defeats in the Supreme Court, which recently blocked a similar troop deployment in Illinois.

Oregon Implements Nearly 300 New Laws for 2026 Focused on Affordability and Worker Rights

On January 1, 2026, approximately 282 new state laws officially took effect in Oregon, marking a significant shift in the state's regulatory landscape. The legislative package, passed during the 2025 session, targets the rising cost of living by introducing sweeping protections for utility customers, patients with medical debt, and construction workers. State leaders, including House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, characterized the updates as a "firewall" designed to protect working families from economic volatility and hidden costs.

One of the most immediate changes for residents involves the Fairness & Affordability in Residential Energy (FAIR) Act. Under this law, investor-owned utilities like NW Natural and PGE are now restricted from implementing rate hikes during the peak winter heating months. Additionally, the law grants the Oregon Public Utility Commission new authority to tie utility profits to performance metrics, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing low-income shut-offs. To further protect vulnerable residents, new rules mandate a 48-hour pause on all disconnections following severe weather events and provide a 24-month payment arrangement option for those with overdue balances.

Oregon has become a national leader in medical debt reform with the implementation of Senate Bill 605. Starting this year, hospitals and clinics are strictly prohibited from reporting medical debt to consumer reporting agencies, and credit bureaus are banned from including such debt on credit reports. The law effectively prevents medical bills from damaging an individual’s credit score, which can be a barrier to securing housing or employment. Other consumer-focused laws taking effect include:

Hidden Fee Ban: Online retailers must now include all mandatory "service" or "convenience" fees in the initial advertised price rather than adding them at checkout.
Telemarketing Limits: The definition of telephone solicitation has expanded to include text messages, and solicitations are now prohibited after 8:00 p.m.
Tenant Security: Landlords are now required to return deposits if a prospective tenant discovers habitability issues, such as lack of heat or unsafe water, before moving in.

Major shifts in labor law also began this week, most notably regarding wage theft in the construction industry. Senate Bill 426 now makes property owners and direct contractors "jointly and severally liable" for unpaid wages owed to subcontractors' employees. This means if a subcontractor fails to pay its workers, the property owner could be held legally responsible for those wages, even if they have already paid the lead contractor in full. Furthermore, Oregon has become the first state in the nation to extend unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers, a move that went into effect on New Year's Day.

Beyond financial measures, the new year brings several social and safety updates:

Marriage Age: The legal age to marry in Oregon has been raised to 18, removing previous exceptions that allowed 17-year-olds to wed with parental and judicial consent.
AI Protections: New criminal penalties have been established for the creation and distribution of AI-generated "revenge porn" or intimate images without consent.
Menopause Coverage: State-regulated health plans are now required to cover treatments for perimenopause and menopause, including hormone therapies.

Oregon Humane Society Shatters Records with Over 12,000 Adoptions in 2025

The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) marked a historic milestone in 2025, facilitating a record-breaking 12,482 adoptions across its Portland and Salem campuses. This achievement represents the highest annual adoption total in the organization’s 157-year history, surpassing previous milestones and solidifying its position as one of the most prolific animal welfare organizations in the nation.

The surge in adoptions is largely attributed to the first full operational year of the New Road Ahead expansion. This initiative added the Community Veterinary Hospital and the Behavior and Rescue Center to the Portland campus, allowing the society to take in and rehabilitate animals with more complex medical and behavioral needs that might have been unadoptable in previous years. By providing specialized care on-site, OHS has been able to significantly decrease the "length of stay" for pets, moving them from intake to their forever homes more efficiently.

A significant portion of the 2025 success stems from the Second Chance Program, which transferred over 7,500 animals from overwhelmed shelters across Oregon, Washington, and California. As many regional shelters faced capacity crises during the past year, OHS utilized its expanded facilities to provide a lifeline for pets in high-kill environments. Notable rescues in 2025 included:

Large-Scale Rescues: The intake of over 100 dogs and cats from areas impacted by the California wildfires in early 2025.
Specialized Cases: The successful placement of 38 Alaskan Malamutes and dozens of Maine Coon cats rescued from neglect cases in Washington County.

The record-setting year also serves as a capstone for longtime CEO Sharon Harmon, who announced her retirement in 2025 after 36 years of leadership. Under her tenure, OHS grew from a single local shelter into a multi-campus regional powerhouse. The organization also reported a highly successful "GivingTuesday" in December 2025, which raised critical funds to subsidize adoption fees for "Diamond in the Ruff" dogs—long-term residents who often require extra support to find the right match.

Algae Toxins Linger in Upper Klamath Lake: Public Advisory Lifted, but Pet Warning Remains

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) officially lifted the recreational use health advisory for Upper Klamath Lake on December 23, 2025, after months of high toxin levels. While water monitoring now confirms that cyanotoxin concentrations have dropped below safety thresholds for human contact, officials warn that the water is not yet safe for animals. A "pet warning" remains in effect as the lake transitions into 2026, as detected levels of microcystin still exceed the OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs.

Despite the colder January temperatures, residents and visitors are urged to remain vigilant for signs of harmful algae blooms. Cyanobacteria can persist even in near-freezing water, often appearing as thick "pea-soup" or green paint-like scum on the surface. OHA reminds the public that toxins can be released into the water as a bloom dies off, meaning even seemingly clear water near a visible bloom can be hazardous. The agency’s standing rule of thumb for the Klamath Basin is "When in Doubt, Stay Out," particularly in areas where water appears foamy, scummy, or discolored.

The lingering pet warning is due to the extreme sensitivity of dogs to microcystin, a potent liver toxin. Pets are at a much higher risk than humans because they are more likely to ingest water while swimming or lick toxins from their fur after leaving the lake. Exposure can lead to symptoms such as weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, and lethargy, and in many cases, it can be fatal within hours. Waterfowl hunters and those using the Barnes Unit of the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge are also advised to exercise caution, as high toxin levels were reported in those specific hunting areas as recently as late November.

With the human advisory lifted, activities like fishing, hiking, and bird watching at Eagle Ridge County Park and other lake access points are considered safe, provided direct water contact is avoided in suspicious areas. For those who fish in the lake, health officials recommend:

Cleaning Procedures: Removing all fat, skin, and internal organs before cooking or freezing fish, as toxins tend to accumulate in those tissues.
Rinsing: Thoroughly washing fillets with clean, potable water before preparation.
Alternative Sources: Never drinking or cooking with lake water, as standard camping filters and boiling are ineffective at removing cyanotoxins.

Klamath Falls Man Sentenced to 12 Years Following Four-Month Sex Abuse Investigation

A Klamath Falls man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following an intensive investigation by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office. The sentencing, handed down in late 2025, concludes a case that began mid-year when detectives launched a four-month inquiry into allegations of multiple counts of sexual abuse. While the specific identity of the defendant was withheld in initial summary reports to protect the privacy of the victims, the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the individual was convicted on several felony counts related to the abuse of a minor.

The case was spearheaded by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Special Investigations Unit, which worked closely with local advocacy centers to gather evidence and conduct interviews between June and October of 2025. According to court records, the investigation uncovered a pattern of abuse that spanned several months, leading to a multi-count indictment. During the sentencing hearing, the presiding judge emphasized the severity of the crimes and the long-term impact on the victims, ultimately ordering the 144-month prison term under Oregon’s mandatory sentencing guidelines for felony sex crimes.

The sentencing is part of a broader trend of high-profile sexual assault prosecutions in Klamath County throughout 2025. Other significant cases in the region this past year included the life sentence of Negasi Zuberi for a federal kidnapping and sexual assault case and the sentencing of Richard Travis Carlson to three consecutive life terms for child sex crimes. Local law enforcement officials noted that the successful prosecution in this most recent 12-year sentencing was bolstered by the "stronger-than-ever" cooperation between the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit, which was expanded earlier in the year to handle an increasing backlog of cases.

The defendant will serve his 12-year term within the Oregon Department of Corrections and will be required to register as a sex offender for life upon his release. The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage anyone with information regarding similar cases or unsolved crimes to utilize their anonymous tip line, reminding residents that the success of these long-term investigations often relies on early reporting from community members.

Trump Halts National Guard Deployments in Portland, Chicago, and LA Following Legal Defeats

President Trump announced on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, that he is withdrawing National Guard troops from Portland, Chicago, and Los Angeles. This decision marks a significant reversal following months of intense legal battles with Democratic governors and city leaders. In a statement on Truth Social, the President claimed that the presence of federalized troops had already succeeded in reducing crime, though he warned that the administration would return in a "much different and stronger form" if crime rates rise again.

The pullback follows a major legal setback earlier in December when the Supreme Court refused to allow the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois. Federal judges in Oregon and California had also issued rulings blocking or limiting the use of troops on city streets. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson welcomed the news, with Wilson noting that Portland’s recent safety improvements were the result of local police efforts rather than the federalized Guard members, who had remained garrisoned but were never actually deployed to the streets due to court orders.

While troops are being removed from these three cities, the administration has indicated that deployments in other areas, such as Washington, D.C., and Memphis, may continue for now. The withdrawal from the West Coast and Chicago is seen by legal experts as a rare moment of the administration yielding to judicial pressure regarding the limits of presidential authority over state-controlled military units.

Oregon Rings in 2026 with Sweeping Protections for Consumers, Patients, and Minors

As Oregon rings in the new year, a wide-ranging set of laws has officially taken effect on January 1, 2026. These measures target long-standing issues such as medical debt traps, the exploitation of minors through marriage, and the rise of AI-generated digital abuse.

Health Care and Financial Protections

One of the most significant changes for consumers is Senate Bill 605, which bans medical debt from appearing on credit reports. Under the new law, health care providers are prohibited from reporting unpaid medical bills to credit agencies, and those agencies are barred from including such debt in consumer files. This shift is intended to prevent families from facing long-term financial ruin due to unexpected illness. Additionally, state-regulated health plans must now cover treatments for perimenopause and menopause, including hormone therapy and osteoporosis prevention.

Personal Safety and Digital Privacy

Oregon has joined a growing number of states in raising the legal marriage age to 18. Previously, 17-year-olds could marry with parental consent—a loophole that advocates argued left minors vulnerable to sexual exploitation and unable to easily exit abusive relationships.

On the digital front, House Bill 2299 expands the state’s "revenge porn" laws to include AI-generated deepfakes. Distributing realistic, non-consensual intimate images created by artificial intelligence is now a criminal offense, with repeat violations carrying felony penalties. New privacy rules also went into effect, prohibiting the sale of location data and the data of minors under 16 without explicit consent.

Transportation and Employment

The new year brings several adjustments to the workplace and infrastructure funding:

Pay Transparency: Employers are now required to provide a written explanation of all earnings, deductions, and payroll codes to new hires at the time of their first paycheck.
Transit Taxes: A scheduled increase to the statewide transit tax (doubling from 0.1% to 0.2%) has been temporarily paused. Opponents successfully submitted signatures for a ballot referendum, meaning the tax hike is suspended until voters decide its fate in November 2026.
Hidden Fees: Online sellers are now largely prohibited from adding "convenience" or "service" fees at the end of a transaction. Mandatory fees must be included in the upfront advertised price.

Oregon Sees Tenfold Spike in Federal Immigration Arrests During 2025 Surge

Federal immigration enforcement in Oregon reached historic levels in 2025, with experts estimating at least 1,100 arrests across the state. This represents a nearly tenfold increase from the 113 arrests recorded in 2024. The surge has placed Oregon among the top five states with the largest year-over-year increases in enforcement activity, a development that immigration advocates attribute to aggressive new federal quotas and the administration's focus on "sanctuary" jurisdictions.

The sharp rise in activity followed a directive in early 2025 that tripled national daily arrest quotas for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In the Pacific Northwest region—covering Oregon, Washington, and Alaska—internal goals were reportedly doubled to 30 arrests per day. Data from the Deportation Data Project shows that while arrests were steady early in the year, they "surged off the chart" in October, with U.S. Border Patrol reporting over 560 arrests in Portland during that month alone.

Despite federal claims that enforcement primarily targets high-level criminals, data analysis suggests a broader scope for the 2025 crackdown:

Criminal History: Only 32% of those arrested in Oregon this year had prior criminal convictions, a decrease from 45% in 2024.
Demographics: Roughly 84% of detainees were male, with the majority aged between 19 and 40. However, the arrests included individuals as old as 71 and as young as 4 years old.
Origin: Detainees represented at least 45 different countries, though the highest numbers were from Mexico, Honduras, Venezuela, Guatemala, and China.

Oregon’s status as a sanctuary state has led to high-profile friction between local and federal authorities. Throughout the year, city and county leaders in Portland, Salem, and Woodburn declared local emergencies and implemented new training to ensure local resources were not used to assist federal agents. In response, federal authorities significantly increased their requests for data from local jails and district attorneys, seeking release dates and police reports to facilitate arrests as individuals left local custody.

The year ended with several ongoing lawsuits from labor unions and legal firms alleging that the federal government has been unconstitutionally blocking attorneys from accessing their detained clients in Oregon facilities.

Oregon Regulators Approve Rate Decrease for Pacific Power Customers Starting January 1

In a rare reprieve for utility customers, Pacific Power (PacifiCorp) rates have officially decreased as of January 1, 2026. The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved the reduction following an agreement between the utility, commission staff, and consumer advocates. This reversal comes after a period of significant price hikes, including a nearly 10% increase that took effect the previous year.

Impact on Residential Bills

The approved change is a 0.7% decrease in overall rates. For a typical residential customer in Oregon using approximately 900 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, this translates to a monthly savings of about $0.96. While the reduction is modest, it brings the average monthly bill for these customers to approximately $153.28. Actual impacts will vary based on whether a customer lives in a single-family or multi-family home, as well as their total energy consumption.

State regulators pointed to several factors that allowed for the lower rates:

Lower Power Costs: The primary driver is PacifiCorp’s annual forecast for the cost of purchasing power. For 2026, the utility anticipates lower expenses for fuel, wholesale power purchases, and other energy-related costs compared to 2025.
Winter Rate Protections: Under House Bill 3179, Oregon law now prohibits utility rate increases during the winter heating season. This measure is specifically designed to protect families from price spikes during the months when energy demand for heating is at its highest.
Efficiency and Settlements: The final rates reflect a negotiated settlement that balanced the utility's operational needs with the concerns of consumer advocacy groups like the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board.

While the new year begins with a decrease, further adjustments are expected soon. The Public Utility Commission has indicated that additional rate changes are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026. Details on those adjustments, which could be influenced by ongoing wildfire safety investments and infrastructure projects, are expected to be announced in March.

Oregon Jobless Rate Climbs to 5.2%, Among Highest in the Nation

Oregon entered 2026 facing a challenging labor market as the statewide unemployment rate hit 5.2%. This figure represents a full percentage point increase over the previous year, placing Oregon as the state with the third-highest jobless rate in the country, trailing only California (5.6%) and Nevada (5.3%). State economists have noted that while the national economy has remained resilient, Oregon is experiencing a more pronounced slowdown due to its heavy reliance on specific manufacturing sectors.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, the rise in unemployment is not due to a lack of people looking for work, but rather a mismatch between labor force growth and hiring speed.Manufacturing and Tech Slump: The state’s semiconductor and durable goods manufacturing sectors—long the backbone of the local economy—saw a loss of nearly 10,000 jobs over the past year.Mass Layoffs: Oregon employers reported approximately 9,000 mass layoffs during 2025, a level of job cutting comparable to the peak of the Great Recession. Major employers, including Intel and Nike, have contributed to these figures as they navigate broader industry shifts.Federal Shutdown Impact: A 43-day federal government shutdown late in 2025 delayed the release of critical economic data, making it difficult for local officials to respond to the shifting trends in real-time

The economic pain has not been distributed evenly across the state. Rural counties, particularly Grant (7.6%), Josephine (7.3%), and Klamath (7.2%), are recording significantly higher jobless rates than the state average. Conversely, Hood River and Wheeler counties have maintained some of the lowest rates at 4.1%. In terms of industry, while manufacturing has struggled, the health care sector remains a bright spot, adding over 11,000 jobs in the last twelve months.

Coinciding with the rise in joblessness, a landmark state law took effect on January 1, 2026, that allows striking workers to qualify for unemployment benefits after a two-week waiting period. This policy shift is intended to provide a safety net for workers during labor disputes, though critics worry it may strain the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which currently remains one of the healthiest in the nation.

Klamath Basin Residents Jolted by Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake Near Susanville

Residents in Klamath Falls and Malin reported a series of noticeable tremors late Tuesday night, December 30, 2025, following a magnitude 4.9 earthquake centered just across the border in Northern California. The quake struck at 9:49 p.m. PST with an epicenter approximately 9 miles north-northwest of Susanville, CA, at a relatively shallow depth of roughly 3 miles.

The earthquake was widely felt across the Klamath Basin, with local reports describing a rolling motion and the rattling of windows and household items. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), more than 1,300 people submitted "Did You Feel It?" reports within hours of the event. The shaking was felt as far south as Sacramento and as far east as Reno, Nevada.

This latest tremor was part of a significant seismic sequence in the Willow Creek Valley area:

Sunday, Dec. 28: A magnitude 5.0 quake struck the same area, which geologists noted as the largest in that specific region in over 130 years.
Tuesday, Dec. 30: The magnitude 4.9 quake—initially estimated at 5.3—triggered another round of alerts.
Ongoing Activity: Over 10 aftershocks were recorded in the 24 hours following Tuesday’s event, ranging from magnitude 2.1 to 2.5.

While the shaking was strong enough to knock items off shelves in Susanville and rural Lassen County, no major injuries or significant structural damage have been reported in Klamath Falls or Malin. Local emergency officials have reminded residents that the Klamath Basin sits on several active fault lines and that this recent activity serves as a prompt to secure heavy furniture and review emergency kits. Geologists indicate the quakes occurred along a known fault line running from Eagle Lake toward Highway 139, a primary route connecting Susanville to the Klamath Falls region.

Klamath Indigenous Land Trust Reclaims 10,000 Acres from PacifiCorp in Historic Deal

In a landmark step for tribal sovereignty and river restoration, the Klamath Indigenous Land Trust (KILT) finalized the purchase of 10,000 acres of land along the Klamath River from PacifiCorp in late December 2025. This transaction, described as one of the largest private land acquisitions by an Indigenous-led land trust in U.S. history, places a massive corridor of ancestral territory back under the stewardship of local Tribes just as salmon begin to return to the basin following the removal of four massive hydroelectric dams.

The newly acquired land spans the "reservoir reach" of the river—the areas previously submerged or impacted by the now-removed dams and their shallow pools. KILT, a non-profit formed by leaders from the Karuk, Hupa, Modoc, and Klamath Tribes, intends to manage the acreage using traditional ecological knowledge.

Habitat Recovery: Management plans will focus on restoring spawning grounds for Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as steelhead and Pacific lamprey.
Cultural Resource Protection: The trust will safeguard sacred sites and traditional gathering areas that were inaccessible for over a century while the land was under corporate ownership.
Fire Management: Stewardship will include Indigenous-led prescribed burning to improve forest health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the region.

The multi-million dollar purchase was made possible through a coalition of private donors and foundations, including the Catena Foundation and the Community Foundation of New Jersey. Ryan Flynn, President of Pacific Power (a division of PacifiCorp), stated that the utility was "gratified" to see the land transition to a model that honors its cultural significance. While the deal is a private transaction, it complements the broader "landback" movement in the region, such as the Yurok Tribe’s reclamation of nearly 50,000 acres in the lower basin earlier in 2025.

Klamath County Public Works Implements Seasonal Closure of Cascade Lakes Highway

The Klamath County Public Works Department has officially closed Cascade Lakes Highway for the winter season, marking the end of vehicle access to the high-elevation forest route until the spring thaw. The closure, which was announced in late December 2025, is an annual safety measure taken as snow depths at the highway’s summit frequently reach between 5 and 10 feet, making consistent snow removal and ice maintenance cost-prohibitive.

This seasonal shutdown affects the high-elevation stretch of the highway that connects Northern Klamath County to Central Oregon. While Deschutes County typically closes its northern portion of the highway near Mt. Bachelor in mid-November, Klamath County’s segment remains open as long as weather permits to allow for late-season recreation and transit. The gates are now locked at the seasonal closure points, and the road is expected to remain inaccessible to standard vehicle traffic for the next several months.

Klamath County road crews have set a tentative reopening date of May 1, 2026. However, officials emphasized that the actual date will depend heavily on the total snowpack accumulation and the pace of the spring melt. Crews will begin the clearing process in April, using heavy machinery to remove the massive drifts that accumulate over the winter. Until then, the highway serves as a corridor for winter recreation, including cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, though no emergency services or vehicle assistance are available on the closed portion of the road.

Klamath Falls Classified Educators Request Mediation Over "Poverty Wages" and Strike Threat

Negotiations between Klamath Falls City Schools and its support staff have reached a formal impasse, with the union officially calling for state mediation as of January 1, 2026. The Klamath Falls Association of Classified Employees (KFACE), which represents essential staff such as bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and custodial workers, signaled the move after months of bargaining failed to produce a living wage agreement. Union leaders emphasized that their members are prepared to strike if the district does not address what they characterize as "poverty wages" that have left many employees relying on state assistance.

The primary point of contention is a significant disparity between the union's demands and the district's current offer:

Union Proposal: A $4 per hour raise for all classified staff. KFACE President Lisa Danskin noted that some employees currently earn less than $16 an hour—a rate so low that roughly a quarter of the district’s classified staff qualify for SNAP or other public aid.
District Offer: The school district has proposed a $1.50 per hour increase. While Superintendent Keith Brown acknowledged the need to fairly compensate staff, he cited "significant financial headwinds" and general budget uncertainty as the reasons for the more conservative offer.

The push for mediation follows 13 unsuccessful bargaining sessions held since May 2025. Union representatives have pointed to recent contracts for other employee groups, such as a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for teachers, as evidence that the district has the financial capacity to better support its classified staff. Enrique Farrera, president of the Oregon Education Association, joined local workers in December to condemn the "systemic devaluation" of support staff, stating that the union will no longer accept wages that fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living in Klamath County.

With the request for formal mediation, a state-appointed mediator will now be brought in to facilitate further talks. Under Oregon labor law, if mediation does not lead to an agreement after 15 days, a 30-day "cooling-off period" begins, after which the union would be legally permitted to strike. District officials have not yet commented on the mediation request but previously indicated they are preparing for multiple budget scenarios to account for potential labor costs.

Conservation Groups Urge Oregon to Reduce Whale Deaths
from Crab Fishing Gear

Conservation groups have officially petitioned the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to implement stricter regulations on the Dungeness crab fishery following a series of whale entanglements, including the high-profile death of a juvenile humpback whale near Yachats in November 2025.

On November 15, 2025, a 26-foot juvenile humpback whale was found stranded north of Yachats, entangled in yellow rope. Despite a multi-day rescue effort by the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, which used specialized pulley systems to try and rotate the 40,000-pound animal back to sea, the whale was too weakened to survive. It was humanely euthanized on November 17. Investigators later confirmed the gear involved was from the 2023–2024 Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

Demands from Conservation Groups

The petition, filed on December 11, 2025, by the Center for Biological Diversity, Oceana, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the American Cetacean Society, argues that current voluntary advisories are insufficient. They are calling for:

Ropeless "Pop-up" Gear: A formal pathway to authorize and transition the fleet to ropeless technology, which stores buoy lines on the ocean floor until triggered, eliminating the vertical ropes that trap whales.
Stricter Seasonal Closures: Prohibiting conventional pot gear starting April 1 of each year, rather than the current May 1 deadline, to better align with when whales are most abundant in Oregon waters.
Mandatory Gear Reductions: Increasing the late-season reduction of crab pots from 20% to 30% and eliminating the "sunset" clauses that allow these protections to expire.
Public Reporting: Establishing a transparent, timely process for the public to receive reports on marine mammal and sea turtle entanglements.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) issued a fleet advisory on December 5, 2025, urging crabbers to remain vigilant and avoid areas where whales are foraging. While state managers acknowledge that 2025 saw a record high of four confirmed humpback entanglements in Oregon gear, they must balance these protections with the economic health of the Dungeness crab fishery—the state’s most valuable single-species fishery, bringing in over $90 million annually.

Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Cascade Passes Through Saturday Afternoon

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Cascade Mountain passes, effective from 4:00 AM Friday, December 26, through 4:00 PM Saturday, December 27. Forecasters are calling for significant snowfall above 4,000 feet, with total accumulations of up to 11 inches expected across the northern and central Oregon Cascades.

The advisory specifically impacts major travel corridors, including Santiam Pass (US-20) and Willamette Pass (OR-58). Smaller summits such as Tombstone, Bennett, and Government Camp are also included in the warning area. While high-elevation snow is the primary concern, winds could gust as high as 45 mph, further reducing visibility and creating hazardous driving conditions.

State transportation officials warn that roads, bridges, and overpasses will likely become slick. Travelers are advised to:

Carry Traction Tires or Chains: Oregon law requires these to be present in vehicles traveling through snow zones.
Prepare Emergency Kits: Kits should include blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, a shovel, water, and non-perishable food.
Monitor Real-Time Updates: Check TripCheck.com or call 5-1-1 for the latest road closures and chain restrictions before heading into the mountains.

The weather is expected to taper off late Saturday afternoon as a high-pressure ridge builds off the coast, potentially leading to clearer skies and a drier weekend.

Judge Orders Shackles Removed After ICE Detains Wrong Man in Oregon Courtroom

In a dramatic scene in an Oregon courtroom, a judge ordered the immediate removal of shackles from a man after evidence revealed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had detained the wrong individual. The incident occurred during a hearing where federal agents realized the person in custody did not match the identity of their intended target.

The man, identified as a local resident with no prior criminal record, was reportedly taken into custody earlier in the week as part of an enforcement action that critics are calling "indiscriminate." According to court testimony, the man was shackled and transported to the courthouse under the assumption he was a different individual with an outstanding deportation warrant. However, after a brief review of identification and fingerprints, it became clear that the name and biometric data did not align with the federal warrant.

The presiding judge expressed sharp frustration with the agency's lack of due diligence before bringing the man into a secure courtroom. Upon learning of the error, the judge halted the proceedings and commanded that the man be unshackled in open court. The judge criticized the agency's tactics, noting that such errors are not only an "unconstitutional" infringement on personal liberty but also a waste of judicial resources and an unnecessary traumatization of innocent individuals.

This incident follows a series of high-profile cases in Oregon throughout 2025 where families have claimed federal agents are detaining individuals based on common names or random stops rather than specific warrants. Recent reports include:

The Victor Cruz Case: A Hillsboro grandfather with legal status was detained in October after being confused with another man of the same name.
Gresham Home Raid: Family members reported that agents entered a residence without a warrant, searching for a target who did not live there.
Eugene Vehicle Stops: A federal judge recently released a Venezuelan man in Eugene, calling the ICE stop that led to his detention "indiscriminate" and potentially unconstitutional.

Advocacy groups, including the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, have cited this latest courtroom error as further evidence that Oregon's Sanctuary Law is being tested by federal shifts in enforcement policy. In response to the increase in these incidents, some state lawmakers are calling for more transparent reporting requirements for federal agencies operating within state courthouses.

Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road Closed for Winter Season

The Deschutes County Road Department, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, officially closed Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter season as of Tuesday, November 18, 2025. These high-elevation forest roadways are closed annually because snow accumulation at the summits can frequently exceed five to ten feet, making continuous snow and ice removal too costly for the county to maintain through the winter months.

The seasonal closure on Cascade Lakes Highway affects the segment between Dutchman Flat (near Mt. Bachelor) at the north end and the Deschutes Bridge (near Wickiup Reservoir) at the south end. On Paulina Lake Road, the gate is closed just east of the 10-Mile Sno-Park, cutting off vehicle access to Paulina and East Lakes within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

While the roads are closed to standard vehicle traffic, they remain a primary hub for winter recreation.

Winter Sports: The groomed sections of the highway are open to cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.
Elk Lake Resort: The resort remains accessible to the public starting December 15, though visitors must travel via the resort’s private snowcat service or personal snowmobile.
Newberry Caldera: Access to the lakes within the caldera is restricted to non-motorized use or snowmobiles entering from designated Sno-Parks.

The roadways will remain closed until the Deschutes County Road Department begins its annual snow removal operations in late spring. Officials typically aim to have both roads cleared and open to traffic by Memorial Day weekend, though the exact date depends entirely on the depth of the winter snowpack and late-season weather events.

Salmon Reoccupy Historic Habitat One Year After Klamath Dam Removal

A little over a year after the historic removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, scientists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) report that salmon are reoccupying "just about every corner" of their historic habitat. The rapid repopulation of the basin, which includes areas upstream of Upper Klamath Lake, has exceeded the most optimistic scientific projections.

As of late 2025, preliminary data shows a surge in fall-run Chinook salmon. Over 10,000 adult salmon have been recorded passing the former Iron Gate Dam site—the lowermost barrier in the system—representing a significant increase over 2024 counts. Even more remarkable is the return of fish to the Williamson and Sprague rivers in Southern Oregon, where salmon have been absent for more than a century. In October 2025, a radio-tagged Chinook was tracked entering Upper Klamath Lake after swimming through the Link River Dam fish ladder in Klamath Falls, marking a 300-mile journey from the Pacific Ocean.

The removal of the dams has triggered an immediate and dramatic shift in the river's health.

Water Temperature: Without the stagnant reservoirs, water temperatures have returned to natural seasonal fluctuations. The river is now cooling earlier in the fall, which is critical for adult spawning, and warming in the spring to assist juvenile outmigration.
Disease and Algae: Scientists have documented a 100% success rate in water samples meeting public health standards, a stark contrast to previous years plagued by toxic algal blooms. Additionally, there has been a significant decline in the prevalence of Ceratonova shasta, a parasite that historically devastated juvenile salmon populations.
Restoration Progress: Snorkel crews have confirmed that juvenile salmon and steelhead are already occupying nearly all newly accessible tributaries within the former reservoir footprints.

For the Klamath, Yurok, Karuk, and Hoopa Valley Tribes, the return of the salmon represents the fulfillment of decades of activism. Klamath Tribes Chairman William Ray, Jr. celebrated the sight of salmon in ancestral waters but has urged a temporary moratorium on fishing to allow the population to build "the strength of its lineage." Tribal leaders described the returning fish as "robust" and "healthy," with some being nicknamed "footballs" due to their impressive size and fat reserves.

Despite the success of the fall-run Chinook, experts warn that the spring-run Chinook remain on the verge of extinction and will require intensive long-term restoration. Furthermore, agricultural districts have raised concerns about the lack of "fish screens" in irrigation canals, which are needed to prevent the returning salmon from washing onto farmland. Funding for these multi-million dollar screening projects is currently being sought to ensure the co-existence of the thriving fish runs and the region's agricultural industry.

Health Advocates Raise Concerns Over Klamath Falls Tap Water Contaminants

A December 2025 analysis by health advocates and environmental groups, including the Environmental Working Group (EWG), has identified five specific contaminants in the Klamath Falls municipal water supply that exceed recommended health guidelines. While the Klamath Falls Water Department remains in full compliance with federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, advocates warn that these legal limits do not fully account for long-term risks to vulnerable populations, such as infants and pregnant individuals.

The report highlights a gap between federal legal limits (MCLs) and stricter "health-based" goals. The five highlighted contaminants include:

Arsenic: Detected at levels significantly above the EWG health goal. Arsenic is a known carcinogen that occurs naturally in the region's volcanic soil and can seep into groundwater.
Hexavalent Chromium: Often referred to as the "Erin Brockovich chemical," this carcinogen was found at levels exceeding the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s safety goal of 0.02 parts per billion.
Nitrate: Frequently tied to agricultural runoff, high nitrate levels can interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, posing a specific risk of "blue baby syndrome" in infants.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): These are byproducts created when chlorine, used for disinfection, reacts with organic matter in the water. High levels are linked to increased cancer risks and pregnancy complications.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs): Similar to haloacetic acids, these disinfection byproducts were found in concentrations that advocates argue should be further reduced to protect long-term public health.

City water officials maintain that Klamath Falls tap water is safe for the general public and undergoes rigorous daily testing. They emphasize that the city meets all Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and EPA requirements. The department notes that many of the detected substances, such as arsenic and fluoride, are naturally occurring in the Klamath Basin’s unique geology and that current treatment technologies are optimized to balance safety with affordability for the city's 40,000 residents.

Health advocates suggest that households with high-risk individuals consider additional home filtration. Reverse osmosis systems are cited as the most effective method for removing arsenic, chromium, and nitrates, while standard activated carbon filters can significantly reduce the presence of disinfection byproducts like TTHMs.

Oregon Leads 19-State Coalition Suing Federal Government Over Gender-Affirming Care Restrictions

Oregon is taking a central role in a multi-state legal challenge against the federal government's recent efforts to restrict gender-affirming care for minors. On December 23, 2025, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led a coalition of 18 other states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Eugene. The lawsuit specifically targets a December 18 declaration issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The controversy centers on a declaration that labeled medical treatments like puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for adolescents as "unsafe and ineffective." Along with this label, the federal government warned that health care providers who continue to offer these services could be excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid. This move is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to end federal support for gender-affirming care for those under 19, following an executive order signed earlier in the year.

The coalition of states, which includes New York, California, and Washington, argues that the HHS declaration is an unlawful overreach. Attorney General Rayfield and other leaders contend that the federal government bypassed mandatory legal procedures, such as providing public notice and allowing a comment period before making significant health policy changes. The lawsuit also alleges that the Secretary does not have the authority to unilaterally change national medical standards.

For Oregon, the lawsuit is a defense of state law. In 2023, Oregon passed House Bill 2002, which mandates that insurance plans cover gender-affirming care and protects providers and patients from legal challenges. State officials argue that the federal threat to pull Medicare and Medicaid funding creates an impossible choice for hospitals and doctors, potentially forcing them to choose between their medical licenses and providing what many major medical organizations consider necessary healthcare.

The states are currently asking the court to declare the HHS document unlawful and to block its enforcement immediately.

Oregon Couple Deported to Mexico, Forced to Leave 2-Year-Old Daughter Behind in Hillsboro

A report published in late December 2025 has brought national attention to the story of an Oregon couple, Miguel Garcia Pazaran and Dulce Maria Trejo Segura, who were deported to Mexico and forced to leave their two-year-old daughter, Sofia, behind. The case is being cited by advocacy groups as one of dozens of similar family separations recently documented in Oregon amid an aggressive federal immigration crackdown.

Miguel Garcia Pazaran, 26, and Dulce Maria Trejo Segura, 27, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents earlier this month while Miguel was driving Dulce to her job at a food production plant in Forest Grove. According to family members, Miguel was still in his pajamas and slippers when the couple was pulled over and taken into custody. Within eight days, they were deported to Mexico, leaving their daughter—a U.S. citizen—in the care of Miguel’s sister in Hillsboro.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has disputed the characterization of the event as a forced separation, stating that families are given the option to be removed with their children or to place them with a guardian. However, the couple’s family maintains that the speed of the deportation and the confiscation of their identification documents made it impossible to coordinate Sofia's travel at the time. A family friend who is a legal permanent resident is currently working to reunite the toddler with her parents in Veracruz, Mexico.

The Garcia-Trejo case is part of a growing trend of "internal" family separations occurring within the United States rather than at the border. In the Portland area alone, recent months have seen several high-profile incidents:

The Merlos Family: In June 2025, a Portland mother and her four U.S. citizen children (including triplets) were detained at a park near the Washington-Canada border. While the children were eventually released to family friends, their parents remained in detention for months before being processed for removal.
School-Site Apprehensions: Reports from Portland Public Schools and local advocacy groups indicate that several parents have been detained by federal agents during school drop-offs or "wellness checks," leading to sudden separations where children are left in the care of neighbors or local authorities.
Legal Challenges: These incidents have sparked widespread protests, including a walkout by hundreds of Portland-area students in mid-December. Oregon officials, including Attorney General Dan Rayfield, have expressed concern that these enforcement actions often bypass traditional legal protections and state-level "sanctuary" policies.

Advocacy groups like Adelante Mujeres and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) report that while federal policy often frames these as "voluntary" placements with guardians, the practical reality for many families is a sudden and traumatizing fracture of the household with no clear path to reunification.

Potential "Historic" Christmas Eve Windstorm Fizzles as Pressure System Weakens

A powerful low-pressure system that was expected to bring a historic windstorm to the Pacific Northwest on Christmas Eve was significantly downgraded as the system weakened while moving north along the coast. While initial forecasts early in the week warned of "extreme" conditions with gusts potentially reaching $70\text{ mph}$ to $75\text{ mph}$, the National Weather Service (NWS) ultimately canceled most high wind warnings by midday on December 24, 2025.

Meteorologists attributed the shift to the low-pressure center losing strength more rapidly than expected as it approached Oregon and Washington. Instead of the high-impact event originally feared, the region experienced a more typical southerly wind event. In the Willamette Valley and Portland metro area, peak gusts generally hovered between $30\text{ mph}$ and $45\text{ mph}$. While these winds were enough to cause scattered power outages and blow over loose holiday decorations, they fell far short of the catastrophic levels predicted 48 hours earlier.

Despite the downgrade, local agencies remained on high alert because of extremely saturated soils from heavy rains earlier in December. Experts warned that even "typical" gusts could topple trees with weakened root systems, potentially disrupting travel for holiday commuters.

Coastal and Mountain Areas: The strongest conditions were reserved for the coast and the foothills of the Blue Mountains in Northeastern Oregon, where a wind warning remained in effect longer due to more rapid atmospheric pressure changes.
Travel Conditions: The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) kept maintenance crews on standby through the holiday to clear debris, though major road closures were avoided.
Power Utilities: Companies like Portland General Electric and Pacific Power reported only minor, localized outages, a significant relief compared to the widespread blackouts that utilities had braced for earlier in the week.

The fizzling of the windstorm cleared the way for a relatively mild Christmas Day across Oregon. Current forecasts for December 25 predict light rain or snow showers with temperatures in the low 40s, providing a calm end to a week characterized by high-stakes weather warnings.

Heartfelt Generosity: How Klamath Falls Met a Record Demand for Holiday Help

This holiday season, the Salvation Army in Klamath Falls saw a significant surge in demand, driven by the lingering economic effects of a federal government shutdown that began in October 2025. Local volunteers stepped up to meet the challenge, providing food and gifts to roughly 650 families—an increase of 200 over the previous year.

Case worker Jeff Mueller and long-time volunteer Steve Matthies highlighted the critical nature of this year's efforts, noting that the organization has been serving an additional 70 or more families each week since the "SNAP apocalypse" began.

The increased demand is largely attributed to the disruption of federal food assistance. The term "SNAP apocalypse" refers to the severe strain placed on families when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were delayed or threatened during the autumn shutdown.

Despite the challenges, the local community provided substantial support:

650 Families Served: Food boxes and gifts were distributed to hundreds of households this week.
700 Children Helped: The Angel Tree program at local stores ensured nearly 700 children received donated gifts.
Dedicated Volunteers: Steve Matthies, a seven-year veteran, has been volunteering five days a week to help manage the influx.

The spike in need has taken a toll on local resources. While the food pantry typically ends the Christmas season with a surplus of back stock to carry them into January, the current demand means the Salvation Army will need to replenish its supplies as early as next week.

https://give-cs.salvationarmy.org/campaign/727240/donate

‘Santa’s Garage’ Transforms Local Auto Shop into Klamath County’s Largest Christmas Hub

Adrian’s Garage in Klamath Falls traded engine oil for holiday cheer this past Sunday, hosting the county’s largest Christmas celebration. The local auto shop, in partnership with Ducky Design & Sign, was reimagined as "Santa’s Garage," a festive hub that welcomed over 500 families from across the community.

The event offered a full holiday experience, complete with festive music, cookies, and appearances by Santa Claus, the Coca-Cola polar bear, and the Grinch. For many, the highlight was the community atmosphere fostered by organizer Yecenia Rodriguez-Farias and the team of volunteers.

What is now a massive community staple began as a grassroots effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Founder Eduardo Farias launched the initiative after seeing the financial strain local families were facing. His first year involved personally delivering toys to homes after coordinating through Facebook.

As the years passed, the operation outgrew home deliveries, leading to the creation of the "Santa's Garage" event to centralize the giving and reach more children.

500+ Families Served: The event provided gifts and holiday joy to a record number of residents this year.
Community Partnership: The transformation of the workspace was made possible through a collaboration between Adrian’s Garage and Ducky Design & Sign.
Expanded Outreach: From its humble beginnings as a Facebook post to a full-scale festival, the event continues to grow in scale and impact each season.

Rodriguez-Farias emphasized that the event’s success is a testament to the "powerful community" in Klamath County, where businesses and residents alike rally to ensure local children experience the magic of the season regardless of financial circumstances.

Holiday Snow Update: Oregon Slopes Come Alive for Christmas

After a delayed start to the season due to warm conditions, recent winter storms have finally provided enough coverage for Oregon ski resorts to begin operations. In Klamath County and the surrounding Southern Oregon region, local favorites are preparing to welcome winter sports enthusiasts back to the slopes just in time for the holiday break.

Klamath County and Southern Oregon

Willamette Pass Resort, located on the border of Klamath and Lane counties, is officially kicking off its season this Friday, December 26th. The resort plans to open the Sleepy Hollow area and the magic carpet at 9:00 AM, following a storm cycle that delivered several inches of fresh snow and allowed for consistent snowmaking. Further south, Mt. Ashland is currently waiting for a deeper base before opening its lifts. While the resort is fully staffed and ready to operate, management indicates they need approximately 2.5 feet of snow to safely open the mountain; they are currently encouraging local skiers to "do their snow dances" as they monitor incoming weather.

Mt. Hood Area

Mt. Hood Skibowl will open its Snow Tube Adventure Park on Christmas Day. Both Day and Cosmic Tubing sessions are scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM on December 25th, with the park moving to daily operations through the first week of January. Timberline Lodge is already open with limited terrain, currently utilizing the Pucci and Bruno lifts to serve early-season crowds. Mt. Hood Meadows joined the lineup this week, opening on December 23rd with access to several lower-mountain lifts including Buttercup, Daisy, and Easy Rider.

Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon officially opened on Tuesday, December 23rd, after a late-December storm brought the base depth up to 19 inches. The resort is operating the Skyliner, Little Pine, Pine Marten, and Red Chair lifts. Mountain officials have reminded visitors that early-season conditions are in effect, meaning many natural obstacles remain unmarked and skiers should stay on groomed runs.

Winter Whale Watch Week Returns to Oregon Coast

The official winter whale watching season is set to begin this Saturday, December 27th, as thousands of gray whales continue their annual southward migration. Oregon State Parks will host its popular Winter Whale Watch Week from December 27th through December 31st, providing locals and visitors with prime opportunities to witness the journey.

During this five-day event, trained volunteers and park rangers will be stationed at 14 designated sites along the coast from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM daily. These experts are equipped to help visitors spot the telltale "blows" or spouts of gray whales as they travel from their summer feeding grounds in Alaska to the warm calving lagoons of Baja, Mexico. Key viewing locations include the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay, which will offer extended hours from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, as well as Cape Meares, Heceta Head Lighthouse, and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint.

An estimated 13,000 to 18,000 gray whales participate in this winter migration, with approximately 30 whales passing the Oregon shoreline every hour during the peak. While gray whales are the primary focus, lucky watchers may also spot humpback whales, orcas, or harbor seals. State Park officials urge visitors to dress for winter coastal weather, bring high-quality binoculars, and practice beach safety by staying off driftwood and keeping a close eye on the surf.

For those in the Klamath Falls and Southern Oregon area, the closest official viewing stations are located at Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay, Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon, and Harris Beach State Park in Brookings. These sites offer elevated vantage points that are ideal for scanning the horizon for migrating pods.

Holiday Travel Nightmare: Double Winter Storms Slam Basin with 60 MPH Gusts

A massive weather system is slamming the Pacific Northwest and California this Christmas Eve, bringing a dangerous mix of hurricane-force winds and heavy mountain snow. Forecasters have issued High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories across the region as two powerful winter storms converge during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

Dangerous Winds and Travel Disruptions

Widespread gusts of 60 mph are expected throughout today, December 24, though some coastal and mountain areas could see extreme bursts reaching up to 75 or 100 mph. The National Weather Service warns that these conditions will likely down trees and power lines, leading to significant outages. High-profile vehicles are under particular threat, with officials advising against non-essential travel on exposed routes and mountain passes.

Heavy Snow and Rain Totals

While the wind is the primary concern for lower elevations, the mountains are bracing for historic snowfall.

Sierra Nevada: Higher elevations could see staggering totals exceeding 100 inches of snow by the end of the week.
Pacific Northwest: Heavy rain and snow are impacting the Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains, with snow levels expected to drop as low as 4,500 feet, creating whiteout conditions on Interstate 5 near Mount Shasta.
Southern California: Heavy rain is raising the risk of life-threatening flooding and landslides, particularly near recent burn scars.

Outlook for Christmas Day

The peak of the windstorm is expected to move through Western Washington and Oregon today, hitting major hubs like Seattle, Portland, and Eugene in rotating two-to-three-hour windows. Conditions may briefly stabilize late tonight, but a second wave of colder air is forecast to arrive Friday and Saturday, potentially bringing another round of meaningful snow to the mountains and keeping travel conditions treacherous through the holiday weekend.

Health Advisory Lifted for Upper Klamath Lake; Pet Warning Remains

The Oregon Health Authority lifted the recreational health advisory for Upper Klamath Lake on December 23 after water monitoring confirmed that cyanotoxin levels have fallen below human safety limits. While the water is now considered safe for human recreation, officials have maintained a warning for pet owners, noting that detected toxin levels still exceed safety guidelines for animals.

Despite the improved conditions for people, health officials emphasize that dogs and other small animals remain at high risk. Pets are more susceptible to cyanotoxins due to their smaller size and behavior, such as drinking lake water or licking toxins from their fur. Owners are advised to keep pets away from any areas with visible scum or discolored water, as exposure to even low levels of microcystin can be fatal for dogs.

With the advisory lifted, activities such as swimming and high-speed boating are once again permitted for humans. However, the OHA reminds the public that blooms can reappear quickly if weather conditions shift.

Drinking Water: Residents using private intake systems should remain cautious, as some home filtration methods do not effectively remove cyanotoxins.

Fishing: Anglers are advised to remove all fat, skin, and organs from fish caught in the lake before consumption, as these tissues are most likely to accumulate toxins.
Visual Checks: Visitors should continue to watch for "pea-soup" or foamy appearances in the water and avoid any areas that look suspicious.

The OHA will continue to monitor the lake's water quality and will re-issue advisories if toxin concentrations rise again during the winter season.

White Christmas Likely for Klamath County as Snow Levels Plunge

As of this morning, December 24, 2025, residents in Klamath County are looking at a very high probability—roughly 70% to 90%—of seeing snow on the ground or in the air for Christmas Day. While the region is currently grappling with a High Wind Warning and an atmospheric river bringing warmer air, a transition to colder temperatures tonight is expected to turn rain into snow just in time for the holiday.

The National Weather Service indicates that while today remains dominated by rain and high winds, the snow level is forecast to drop to around 4,600 feet tonight. For much of the Klamath Basin, this means rain showers will likely transition to snow showers after midnight.

Snow Accumulation: Up to one inch of new snow is expected to accumulate by Christmas morning in the lower basin areas.
Precipitation Chance: There is a 90% chance of precipitation on Christmas Day, with rain and snow showers likely throughout the afternoon.
Higher Elevations: Mountainous areas and passes within the county have a near-certain 100% chance of a white Christmas, with several inches of fresh accumulation expected to impact travel.

Historically, Klamath Falls has about a 40% to 50% chance of having at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25. This year’s active storm pattern significantly exceeds those typical odds. However, because temperatures are hovering in the low 40s during the day, any snow that falls in the city center may be slushy or melt quickly on paved surfaces, even if the "white Christmas" criteria are technically met.

The high probability of snow comes with the trade-off of hazardous travel conditions.

Breezy Conditions: Winds are expected to continue with gusts up to 45 mph on Christmas Day, which could create blowing snow and reduced visibility in open areas.
Pass Conditions: Travelers heading over Willamette Pass or toward the Cascades should prepare for much heavier snow totals and winter driving requirements.

KCTV Spreads Holiday Cheer with Christmas Eve Gift Card Giveaway

Christmas has arrived in Klamath County, and Klamath Community Television (KCTV) is working to make this holiday one to remember for local residents. Throughout December, the station has been partnering with area businesses to collect a variety of gift cards and certificates. Today, December 24, KCTV will be hosting its grand giveaway in Downtown Klamath Falls, providing viewers a chance to brighten their season with a special surprise.

The highly anticipated location for today's event has been confirmed. Viewers are invited to visit The Waffle Hut in downtown Klamath Falls between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM today. Those who stop by will have the opportunity to draw a gift card from a massive holiday stocking and join the station in a toast to the season. The event is designed to foster community spirit, with KCTV even encouraging winners to "pay it forward" by trading gifts with others if a specific card doesn't fit their needs.

This initiative follows a successful season of giving for the station, which included turkey dinner giveaways in November and coffee gift cards in October. For this final event of 2025, KCTV is shining a spotlight on the local business community that makes the region thrive. Committed partners for today's giveaway include:

Waffle Hut
J’s Steak House
People's Bank
Klamoya Casino
Fred Meyer and Natural Grocers
Joyful Cafe

The mission behind Klamath Community Television is to serve as an informational, educational, and spiritual resource for the surrounding areas. By facilitating this holiday giveaway, the station aims to ensure that both viewers and local businesses feel the warmth and happiness of the season while ringing in what they hope will be a prosperous 2026.

Klamath County Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Child and Animal Exploitation

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office has announced the sentencing of 26-year-old Johnathan Alexander Dever following a multi-agency investigation into child exploitation and animal abuse.

On October 15, 2025, Dever entered a guilty plea to six counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree and four counts of Encouraging Sexual Assault of an Animal. A judge sentenced Dever to 144 months, or 12 years, in state prison. Upon his release, he will be required to serve an additional 36 months of post-prison supervision.

The sentencing marks the conclusion of a four-month intensive investigation led by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division. The investigation was supported by the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Division.

Dever was originally taken into custody in July 2025. His apprehension involved a coordinated effort across several units within the Sheriff’s Office, including the Marine Division, Forest Division, and the Detective Division.

Representatives from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office reiterated their commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and holding offenders accountable through collaborative partnerships with state and federal agencies.

Authorities encourage anyone with information regarding crimes against children to contact their local law enforcement agency or provide a tip to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Fatal Wheelchair Collision Under Investigation in Klamath Falls

On December 17, 2025, a fatal collision occurred in Klamath Falls involving a pickup truck and a pedestrian in an electric wheelchair. The incident took place in the area of Washburn Way and Laverne Avenue, according to the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.

Incident Details

At approximately the time of the dispatch, deputies arrived to find that an electric wheelchair had been struck by a vehicle. The operator of the wheelchair was identified as 76-year-old Charles Miller of Klamath Falls. The vehicle involved was a 2007 Ford F150 driven by 53-year-old Felix Gonzalez-Garcia, also a resident of Klamath Falls.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Miller was attempting to cross Washburn Way outside of a marked crosswalk when the truck struck him and his wheelchair.

Medical Response and Investigation

Emergency personnel transported Miller to Sky Lakes Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is currently active and ongoing.

Multiple agencies provided assistance at the scene, including:

Klamath County Fire District #1
Klamath Falls Police Department
Oregon State Police

Fatal Highway 97 Collision Highlights Hazardous Winter Storm Conditions

A fatal three-vehicle collision occurred on Highway 97 in Klamath County on Sunday morning, December 21, 2025, as icy conditions continue to plague Southern Oregon. Oregon State Police reported that at approximately 9:55 a.m., a gold Chevrolet Silverado traveling southbound near milepost 181 lost control on the ice and crossed into the northbound lane. The truck collided head-on with a black Toyota Tacoma and subsequently struck a blue Dodge Ram that was towing a small trailer.

The driver of the Toyota Tacoma, identified as 47-year-old Kristara Leah Lopez of Coos Bay, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in her vehicle, 59-year-old Gilberto Paez Lopez, was transported to a regional hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Silverado and two occupants of the Dodge Ram were also hospitalized with minor injuries. The highway remained closed for nearly five hours while the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene.

Meteorologists and local authorities are warning that this incident is part of a larger, high-impact winter storm cycle expected to persist through late December. The National Weather Service has issued various High Wind Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories for the region, with gusts up to 70 mph and heavy snow expected in higher elevations like the Cascades and Siskiyous. Travelers are being urged to use extreme caution, carry chains, and monitor road conditions via TripCheck as freezing temperatures and high winds continue to create hazardous "black ice" and difficult driving conditions across the state's mountain passes.

Oregon Leads Multi-State Lawsuit to Block Defunding of Consumer Watchdog

Oregon is taking a central role in a multi-state legal challenge against the federal government, specifically targeting efforts by the Trump administration to withhold funding from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The Lawsuit at a Glance

On December 22, 2025, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a coalition of 21 other attorneys general (representing 21 states and the District of Columbia) to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Eugene, Oregon. The group is suing the CFPB, its Acting Director Russell Vought, and the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors.

Key Arguments and Legal Standing

The coalition argues that the administration is using an "unreasonable and unlawful" interpretation of the Dodd-Frank Act to effectively shutter the agency. At the heart of the dispute is how the CFPB is funded. Historically, the bureau has requested funds from the Federal Reserve’s gross revenues. However, Director Vought has reinterpreted the term "combined earnings" to mean only net profits. Because the Federal Reserve has been operating at a loss since 2022, Vought argues there are no funds available to transfer, a move the lawsuit claims will cause the agency to run out of money entirely by January 2026.

Why States Are Involved

Oregon and its partners claim they have a direct stake in the bureau's survival because they are statutorily entitled to its resources. The CFPB manages a massive consumer complaint database that state attorneys general use to investigate fraud and predatory lending. In Oregon alone, the CFPB received approximately 8,800 complaints in 2024, helping recover over $700,000 for state residents. The lawsuit asserts that defunding the agency would violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the constitutional principle of separation of powers by overriding the funding mechanism established by Congress.

Participating Jurisdictions

The coalition includes the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Wildfire Survivors Face Massive Tax Hit as Federal Relief Expires

As 2025 draws to a close, Oregon wildfire survivors face a significant financial shift due to the expiration of federal tax protections on their settlement awards. Congress adjourned for its December recess without voting on an extension for the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, a short-lived law that had previously shielded these funds from federal income tax.

The 2024 Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act provided critical breathing room for survivors of powerline-ignited fires, particularly those impacted by the 2020 Labor Day fires. Under this law, damages awarded for residential losses, living expenses, and even emotional distress were excluded from federal gross income. However, the law was designed with a sunset date of December 31, 2025.

Earlier this month, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and a bipartisan group of Western lawmakers introduced the "Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act" to make these protections permanent. Despite these efforts, the bill failed to reach the floor for a vote before the end of the year, meaning any settlement payments received starting January 1, 2026, will once again be subject to federal income tax.

Legal experts and victim advocates warn that this change could consume a massive portion of future recoveries.

The "Tax Bill" Impact: Without the federal exemption, survivors receiving large settlements—such as those from ongoing litigation against utilities like PacifiCorp—could see nearly one-third of their award redirected to the federal government.
Attorney Fees: The expired federal law also allowed victims to exclude the portion of their awards that went toward legal fees. Moving forward, survivors may be taxed on the full settlement amount, even the portion they never actually receive because it was paid directly to their lawyers.
State vs. Federal Discrepancy: While federal relief is ending, Oregon’s state-level protections remain. In 2024, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1520, which permanently exempts wildfire settlements and legal fees from state income tax.

The loss of federal relief follows a separate failure in the Oregon State Legislature earlier this year. A state-level proposal would have required utility companies found at fault for wildfires to cover the cost of the federal income taxes on the settlements they pay out. That bill died in the final hours of the state session in June 2025, leaving survivors entirely dependent on the now-expired federal extension.

Klamath Falls Eyes Chance of White Christmas
Amid Holiday Storms

Klamath County residents may see a dusting of white this holiday season as temperatures are expected to dip just enough to turn rain into snow at higher elevations. While much of the region will experience a soggy and breezy lead-up to the holiday, forecasters say a "White Christmas" remains a distinct possibility for areas above 4,000 feet, including the city of Klamath Falls, if a predicted cooling trend holds firm through December 25.

A powerful Pacific storm system is set to arrive late Christmas Eve, bringing a mix of heavy precipitation and gusty winds to the Basin. Meteorologists indicate that snow levels will start relatively high—around 5,000 feet—keeping initial precipitation in the valley as rain. However, as the center of the low-pressure system passes and colder air filters in behind it, snow levels are projected to drop to approximately 3,900 feet by early Christmas morning. This transition creates a window for light accumulations of less than half an inch in the city, with significantly higher totals expected on the surrounding ridges and mountain passes.

The overall outlook for the Christmas period suggests a messy but active weather pattern:

Christmas Eve: Breezy and wet with south winds gusting as high as 30 mph. Highs will hover in the low 40s, making for a primarily rainy afternoon for last-minute shoppers.
Christmas Morning: A transition to a rain-snow mix is likely as temperatures drop toward the freezing mark. While valley accumulation may be minimal, it could be enough to provide a festive "coating" on grassy surfaces.
Christmas Day: The forecast remains "soggy and breezy" with a 90% chance of precipitation. Highs will reach about 43°F, meaning any morning snow will likely turn back to rain by midday, accompanied by occasional breaks of winter sunshine.

While the valley sees a mix, mountain travelers should prepare for true winter conditions. Pass levels above 5,000 feet, including sections of Highway 140 near Lake of the Woods and Highway 97 toward Diamond Lake, are expected to see several inches of new snow. The National Weather Service warns that the combination of wet snow and gusty winds could lead to limited visibility and slick roads during the holiday commute.

Late Start for Oregon Ski Resorts as Mt. Hood Meadows and Mt. Bachelor Open Today

In what marks one of the latest starts to the winter sports season in decades, Oregon’s two largest ski resorts, Mt. Hood Meadows and Mt. Bachelor, officially opened their lifts for the first time today, December 23, 2025. The delay has been driven by a persistent pattern of unusually warm and wet weather that saw massive amounts of rain falling at elevations that typically receive snow by late November.

Both resorts are beginning operations with limited terrain as they work to build a base from a recent, much-needed cold snap.

Mt. Hood Meadows: The resort is operating three of its 12 lifts—Ballroom Carpet, Buttercup, and Easy Rider—from 9 AM to 4 PM. While night riding is currently on hold to preserve the thin snowpack, Night Pass holders are being allowed on the slopes during the afternoon.
Mt. Bachelor: After receiving a modest three inches of fresh snow yesterday to reach a 19-inch base, the Bend-area resort opened the Pine Marten, Little Pine, and Skyliner lifts today.
Travel Impacts: Visitors to Mt. Hood are also navigating logistical hurdles beyond the weather; a recent landslide caused by atmospheric rivers has kept Highway 35 closed between Parkdale and Meadows, forcing travelers to use alternate routes.

The December 23 opening is exceptionally late for the region. Historically, these resorts aim to open by the week of Thanksgiving. The only more significant delay in recent memory occurred during the severe drought of 1976, when Mt. Bachelor was unable to open until January. While this year’s 0-inch snowpack on Mt. Hood as of early December was a stark departure from the 48-inch base recorded at the same time in 2024, resort officials remain optimistic. They point to 2008 as a precedent—a year that saw a late mid-December start but eventually finished with well-above-average total snowfall.

The late opening comes just in time for the Christmas holiday, though the forecast remains a "mixed bag." Meteorologists are tracking a Christmas Eve storm that could bring heavy rain and high winds to the base areas, though dropping temperatures on Christmas Day may finally provide the consistent snowfall needed to open more advanced terrain. Other regional areas, including Hoodoo and Mt. Hood Skibowl, are currently projecting their openings for December 26.

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

Lowest Paid Educators in Klamath Falls City Schools Call for Mediation After District Refuses
to End Poverty Wages

The lowest-paid educators in Klamath Falls City Schools have officially called for formal mediation after the District refused to meet their demands for living wages. This decision follows a bargaining session where union leaders expressed deep frustration over the District's current pay structure. Approximately 25% of these staff members currently rely on public assistance to make ends meet.

Lisa Danskin, president of the classified educators’ union and a 13-year paraeducator, criticized the District for prioritizing significant raises for high-level administrators over settling contracts with essential support staff. During a mutual aid event held with a local food bank prior to negotiations, Danskin reported seeing two school employees in line for holiday food assistance. She emphasized the disparity between the $44.55 hourly living wage required for a parent of two in the county and the starting pay for some members, which sits below $16 per hour.

The absence of Superintendent Keith Brown and all seven members of the School Board during the session was highlighted by the union as a sign of disrespect. While Brown was active in previous 2022 negotiations, his and the board's lack of presence this time was viewed as an insult to workers facing food and housing insecurity.

With the call for mediation, a state-assigned mediator will now step in to schedule future sessions. However, the union has made it clear that educators are prepared to strike in the New Year if the District continues to reject proposals for higher wages.

4.5 Earth Quake Off Shore Near Bandon, OR

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the Oregon coast early Sunday morning, December 21, 2025. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the seismic event at 1:57 a.m. PST, located approximately 174 miles west-northwest of Bandon.

The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) within the Blanco Fracture Zone. This area is a highly active transform boundary where tectonic plates slide past one another. While the quake was strong enough to be detected by sensors across the region, there were no tsunami warnings, watches, or threats issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center.

This event followed a slightly smaller 4.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the same general area less than 24 hours earlier, on Saturday morning. Experts note that "light" earthquakes of this magnitude are extremely common in this offshore fracture zone, which is separate from the more dangerous Cascadia Subduction Zone. Only one person, located as far south as Eureka, California, reported feeling the tremor to the USGS.

Winter Weather for the Higher Elevations

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Oregon Cascades, effective until 4:00 a.m. PST Monday, December 22, 2025. Forecasters expect total snow accumulations between 6 and 11 inches across the northern and central Cascades, while the southern Cascades could see up to 10 inches north of Mt. McLoughlin.

The advisory covers high-elevation passes including Willamette Pass (Hwy 58), Diamond Lake, and areas near Crater Lake National Park. Snow levels are expected to hover between 3,500 and 4,500 feet, occasionally dipping lower overnight. In addition to the snowfall, wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph over exposed terrain are likely to reduce visibility and create hazardous driving conditions on mountain highways.

Travelers are warned that roads, bridges, and overpasses will likely become slick. Officials recommend carrying a winter emergency kit and checking TripCheck for the latest on chain requirements and pass closures before heading out. This storm system is part of a broader active weather pattern expected to continue through the Christmas holiday week.

Olympia Provisions Issues Holiday Recall Due to Metal Contamination

Portland-based Olympia Provisions has issued a high-risk recall for approximately 1,930 pounds of ready-to-eat holiday sausage. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the Class I recall on Friday after a consumer reported finding metal fragments within the product.

The recall specifically affects 16-ounce vacuum-sealed packages of "Olympia Provisions Uncured Holiday Kielbasa." These sausages were produced on October 14, 2025, and bear the "Best If Used By" date of February 19, 2026. Consumers can further identify the impacted items by looking for establishment number "EST. 39928" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The contaminated kielbasa was distributed to retail stores in Oregon, Washington, and California, and was also sold to customers nationwide through the company’s website. While no injuries or adverse reactions have been confirmed to date, federal officials are urging residents to check their refrigerators and freezers. Any product matching this description should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Honoring a Hero: Pearl Harbor Survivor Ira "Ike" Schab Dies at 105

Ira "Ike" Schab, one of the last remaining survivors of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning at his home in Beaverton. He was 105 years old. His daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs, confirmed that he died with family by his side while listening to swing music, less than three weeks after health issues prevented him from attending the 84th anniversary commemoration in Hawaii.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Schab was a 21-year-old musician playing the tuba for the USS Dobbin’s band. When the surprise Japanese air raid began, he abandoned his instrument to join a "daisy chain" of sailors, hauling heavy ammunition boxes from below deck to supply anti-aircraft guns. For decades, Schab rarely spoke of the trauma he witnessed, but in his later years, he became a dedicated advocate for remembrance, frequently traveling to Hawaii to honor those who did not make it home.

Following his service in the Pacific, Schab built a distinguished career as an electrical engineer, contributing to the Apollo spaceflight program that landed the first humans on the moon. He is survived by a large family, including a son who followed in his footsteps to become a Navy commander. With Schab’s passing, historians estimate that only about a dozen survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack remain.

Health Advisory Issued for Upper Klamath Lake Due to Toxic Algae

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued a recreational use health advisory for Upper Klamath Lake after water monitoring detected dangerously high levels of cyanotoxins. The advisory, re-issued this December following persistent bloom activity, warns that toxin concentrations in certain areas of the lake currently exceed safety guidelines for human and animal exposure.

Health officials are specifically urging the public to avoid swimming, water skiing, or any high-speed boating that creates excessive water spray, as the primary risk comes from ingesting or inhaling water droplets. While the toxins are not typically absorbed through the skin, contact can lead to a puffy red rash for those with sensitivities. Symptoms of exposure include numbness, tingling, dizziness, nausea, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing or heart problems.

The risk is significantly higher for children and pets due to their smaller size. Pet owners are advised to keep animals entirely out of the water, as dogs can be fatally poisoned by drinking from the lake or licking toxin-laden algae from their fur. Additionally, OHA warns that standard camping-style filters and boiling water will not remove these cyanotoxins. While activities like fishing and hiking remain safe, those who catch fish in the lake are advised to remove all fat, skin, and organs before consumption, as toxins are most likely to accumulate in those tissues.

Around 8,500 people gathered at Stonehenge early Sunday morning to witness the first sunrise following the Winter Solstice. The crowd, comprised of druids, pagans, and tourists from across the globe, cheered as the sun rose shortly after 8:00 a.m. local time. This annual tradition marks the shortest day of the year and the symbolic "rebirth" of the sun as daylight hours begin to lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere.

The atmosphere at the prehistoric monument was described as jovial and peaceful, featuring traditional drumming, chanting, and Morris dancing. While thousands attended in person, English Heritage reported that more than 240,000 viewers tuned into a global livestream to watch the celestial alignment. During the winter solstice, the sun rises in a specific alignment that can be seen through the southeastern arches of the stone circle, a feat of Neolithic engineering that continues to draw spiritual seekers and historians alike.

Despite the large turnout, officials noted the event passed without significant incident. Visitors were granted rare "managed open access," allowing them to walk among the stones, a privilege typically restricted during the rest of the year. This year's attendance was nearly double that of 2024, which saw approximately 4,500 visitors, largely due to favorable weather conditions and the solstice falling on a weekend.

Thousands Gather at Stonehenge for Winter Solstice 2025

The Longest Night: Welcoming the 2025 Winter Solstice

Today, December 21, 2025, marks the official start of the astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. While often referred to as a "winter equinox" in casual conversation, the correct scientific term is the Winter Solstice. Equinoxes occur only in the spring and fall when day and night are approximately equal, whereas the solstice represents the point where the Earth's tilt away from the sun is at its maximum.

The Timing of the 2025 Solstice

The solstice is a precise astronomical moment rather than a full-day event. In 2025, this occurs at 3:03 PM UTC. Depending on your location, the exact moment translates to:

10:03 AM EST (New York)
7:03 AM PST (Klamath Falls)
8:33 PM IST (New Delhi)

Astronomical Significance

This event occurs when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky for the Northern Hemisphere, appearing directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. This creates the shortest day and longest night of the year. For example, cities in the northern U.S. like Seattle or Minneapolis will experience only about eight to nine hours of daylight today. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere is currently celebrating its Summer Solstice, marking their longest day of the year and the height of summer.

Cultural and Modern Context

Historically, the winter solstice has been viewed as a time of "rebirth" because, although it is the darkest day, it marks the turning point where days begin to lengthen again. Ancient sites like Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland are specifically aligned to the solstice sun. In 2025, the solstice also coincides with unique celestial timing, falling just before the final lunar cycle of the year. Astronomers also note that while this is the shortest day, the earliest sunset usually occurs a few days prior, and the latest sunrise will happen in early January due to the Earth's elliptical orbit.

And on a personal note, the KCTV staff wishes you a warm and blessed wish for your next trip around the sun.

Winter Solstice Storm Ends Dry Spell: Heavy Snow Blankets Crater Lake While Rain Soaks Klamath Valley

Today, Sunday, December 21, 2025, marks the Winter Solstice, and a significant weather shift is finally bringing a winter transformation to the High Cascades.

Crater Lake National Park

The Steel Information Center, located at Park Headquarters, remains open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM to assist visitors, though it will be closed this coming Thursday for Christmas Day. After an unusually dry start to the season that saw nearly zero snow accumulation through mid-December, a winter storm is currently delivering much-needed snowfall to the park. Forecasters expect between 12 and 16 inches of new snow near the caldera through Monday morning. Visitors should be aware that while the south entrance and the road to Rim Village are being plowed, the North Entrance Road and Rim Drive are closed for the season.

Klamath County Conditions

The weather story is a tale of two elevations across the region. While the peaks are gaining a healthy white blanket, the lower elevations of Klamath County—including the Klamath Falls area—are experiencing continuous, mild rain. Temperatures in the valley are hovering just above freezing, preventing the snow from sticking at lower levels and leading to wet, slushy conditions for local travelers.

#snowfall #craterlake #klamath #oregon news

Will Christmas be Cancelled for Us?

As the holiday season reaches its peak, the lowest-paid educators in Klamath Falls City Schools (KFCS) are preparing for a critical day of action that could determine the financial future of hundreds of local families. On Monday, December 22, 2025, members of the classified educator union will hold a mutual aid event at the Klamath-Lake County Food Bank before heading to a high-stakes bargaining session with the district.

The union, which represents paraeducators, bus drivers, office staff, and cafeteria workers, is framing the moment as a turning point for employees who claim they are being forced to live on "poverty wages."

The day begins at 10:00 AM at the food bank on Maywood Drive. Union members will present a $10,000 emergency assistance grant provided by their statewide affiliate, the Oregon Education Association (OEA). The funds are intended to mitigate the impact of recent cuts to SNAP benefits and to support the food bank, which many of the district's own employees are forced to use.

Lisa Danskin, a 13-year paraeducator and union president, emphasized that 25% of the district's classified staff rely on public assistance. She noted that while the holidays are traditionally a time of celebration, many staff members currently face the choice between paying rent and buying groceries.

Following the donation, the bargaining team will meet with district officials at noon at the KFCS Central Office. The negotiations, which have been ongoing since May, remain stuck on the issue of a living wage.

The union is seeking a $4.00 per hour increase, noting that some staff currently earn less than $16.00 an hour—a rate they point out is lower than what some local high school students earn at part-time evening jobs. To date, the district has offered a $1.50 per hour increase.

Frustrations among the staff were heightened following a December 8 decision by the School Board to approve significant raises for high-paid administrators. Union leaders argue that the district's failure to provide a competitive wage proposal for support staff on December 16 shows a lack of urgency in addressing food insecurity among its frontline employees.

District officials have previously cited "financial headwinds" and budget uncertainty as reasons for their cautious approach to labor costs. However, union members point to the 5% cost-of-living adjustments already granted to teachers and the raises for administrators as evidence that the budget priorities are misplaced.

If the session on December 22 does not yield a significant breakthrough, the union has indicated it is prepared to move into formal mediation. For many educators, the outcome of Monday's meeting will determine whether they can afford a traditional holiday or if, as they put it, "Christmas will be cancelled" for their families.

Chasing the Steam: Seven Oregon Hot Springs for a Winter Getaway

Finding the right hot spring this December requires balancing comfort with winter readiness. From developed resorts with special holiday rates to rugged wilderness pools, Oregon offers diverse ways to soak away the winter chill.

Here are seven places to get your hot springs fix this holiday season:

1. Belknap Hot Springs (McKenzie Bridge)

Located along the McKenzie River, this is the most accessible commercial option near Eugene. The resort features two mineral pools and a lush garden setting.

Winter Promotion: 25% off mountain home cabins for stays Monday–Thursday through December and January.
Hours: Walk-ins are welcome 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday–Thursday, and until 5 p.m. on weekends.
Cost: $12 for an hour-long soak; lodging starts at $40.

2. Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort (Warm Springs)

After its recent grand reopening, Kah-Nee-Ta is celebrating its first full winter season in years. It is an excellent family-friendly choice with large mineral pools and a "summer vibe" year-round.

Holiday Special: Use code WINTER50 for a "Buy 1 Day Pass, Get 2nd Free" deal valid through March 2026.
Availability: During the holiday period (Dec 21 – Jan 4), the pools are open daily. Normally, they operate Thursday–Monday.

3. Breitenbush Hot Springs (Detroit)

This off-the-grid retreat offers a more meditative experience with natural geothermal pools and a steam sauna.

The Experience: Day use passes ($35) provide access to the springs and daily well-being programs like yoga.
Stay: Overnight "Personal Retreats" include three organic vegetarian meals and 24-hour pool access.

4. Crystal Crane Hot Springs (Burns)

If you are venturing into Eastern Oregon, Crystal Crane offers a massive outdoor soaking pond and private cedar-lined tubs.

Winter Perks: December is "moderately low" season, meaning shorter wait times for private tubs.
Cost: $15 for 4 hours in the pond; private tubs are also $15 per hour.

5. Alvord Hot Springs (Princeton)

For the truly adventurous, Alvord sits on the edge of the Alvord Desert playa. It offers two concrete soaking pools with unobstructed views of the Steens Mountains.

Winter Note: The playa can become "sinking sand" when wet. Always stay on the gravel access road provided by the caretakers.
Cost: $10 for day use; overnight stays in "bunkers" or campsites include 24-hour soaking access.

6. Umpqua Hot Springs (Idleyld Park)

These famous terraced pools sit on a cliffside overlooking the North Umpqua River.

Condition Alert: As of late December, the road to the trailhead often closes due to snow, requiring a 2-mile hike or snowshoe to reach the springs.
Safety: The trail can be extremely icy; micro-spikes or traction cleats are highly recommended.

7. Bagby Hot Springs (Mount Hood National Forest)

Set deep in an old-growth forest, Bagby features hand-hewn cedar tubs.

Recent Update: Access roads were recently impacted by downed trees; check local Forest Service reports before heading out.
Winter Travel: The roads are not maintained for winter travel. Carry a shovel, chains, and emergency supplies.
Cost: $5 per person (payable at the trailhead fee tube).

Pro Tip: Always check TripCheck for road conditions before heading into the Cascades or the high desert, as mountain passes can require chains even if the valley is clear.

Holiday Tradition: Rotarians and Santa Deliver Smiles to Local Children

The Klamath Falls Sunrise Rotary Club continued its heartfelt holiday tradition this past Thursday, delivering one hundred teddy bears to local children. In a festive collaboration, club members joined Santa Claus for a surprise visit to the Klamath Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program, transforming a typical school day into a celebration of joy and community spirit.

For over a decade, this "100 Bears for 100 Children" initiative has served as a cornerstone of the club's local outreach. The event focuses on providing a personal holiday experience for students in the ECI program, many of whom face developmental or physical challenges. Each child received a plush teddy bear directly from Santa, followed by a morning of stories and holiday cheer shared with the Rotarian volunteers.

The Sunrise Rotary Club is well-known in the Klamath Basin for its "service above self" philosophy. While this event is a holiday highlight, it is part of a broader commitment to early childhood support in the region. The teddy bear tradition is funded through various club fundraisers throughout the year, ensuring that every child in the selected program receives a gift and a memory to take home.

The Klamath ECI program, a branch of the Southern Oregon Education Service District, provides essential educational and therapeutic services to children from birth to age five. Events like the Santa visit provide these students with important social engagement opportunities in a familiar and supportive environment.

Oregon Coalition Sues IRS Over New Clean Energy Tax Credit Restrictions

An Oregon-led coalition of environmental advocates, tribal groups, and consumer rights organizations filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The litigation challenges a recent IRS interpretation of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act, a Republican-backed budget law passed in July 2025. The plaintiffs argue that the agency has overstepped its authority by imposing "arbitrary and capricious" rules that make it significantly harder for wind and solar projects to qualify for federal tax credits.

The lawsuit, led by the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC), centers on the definition of when a renewable energy project has "begun construction." Under the new IRS guidance—issued following a presidential executive order aimed at ending "green energy" subsidies—large-scale wind and solar developers can now only claim credits based on a strict "Physical Work Test." This eliminates the long-standing "Five Percent Safe Harbor" rule, which previously allowed developers to qualify if they had already incurred 5% of the project's total costs.

Impact on Oregon’s Green Energy Goals

The shift in rules has created significant hurdles for renewable energy developers who planned projects based on the previous 5% cost threshold. Jana Gastellum, Executive Director of the OEC, emphasized that these stricter standards do not apply to other energy sectors, such as geothermal or nuclear power, which were also addressed in the same legislation.

“It’s unfair treatment of clean energy,” Gastellum stated. “This impacts the affordability of energy, it reduces job opportunities, and it furthers air climate pollution.”

The coalition argues that these "unjust actions" could stall multi-year projects already in the permitting phase, potentially raising utility rates for Oregonians and hindering the state’s ability to meet its climate targets.

The Legal Coalition

The Oregon Environmental Council is joined in the suit by a diverse group of plaintiffs, including:

The City of San Francisco and the State of Maryland.
The Hopi Utilities Corporation (Arizona) and tribal groups from Minnesota.
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and various consumer advocacy groups.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that the IRS failed to provide adequate reasoning for why wind and solar are being held to a different standard than other industries.

Timeline of the "Big Beautiful Bill" and Tax Credits

The OBBB Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, significantly rolled back incentives established by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Key deadlines for developers include:

July 4, 2026: Projects must break ground by this date to remain eligible for credits.
December 31, 2027: Projects that fail to break ground by the 2026 deadline must be fully operational by this date to qualify.
Immediate Effect: The new "Physical Work Only" rule applies to current projects, forcing many to undergo costly and immediate redesigns or construction starts to secure funding.

The IRS has declined to comment on the matter, citing its policy against discussing pending litigation.

Oregon Sues Trump Admin for 50th Time in 2025, Setting Record Legal Pace

Oregon is currently locked in a legal battle with the federal government, having filed 50 lawsuits against the Trump administration throughout 2025. This record-breaking volume of litigation, led by Attorney General Dan Rayfield, focuses on protecting state funding, environmental programs, and labor pipelines.

Oregon recently joined a coalition of 19 states to sue the administration over a new $100,000 fee for H-1B skilled worker visas. Previously, these fees typically ranged from $960 to roughly $7,600. The lawsuit argues that the massive increase, implemented via presidential proclamation, bypasses the required rulemaking process and exceeds the authority granted by Congress. State officials emphasize that this fee is particularly damaging to Oregon’s public universities, such as Oregon State and the University of Oregon, which rely on international researchers and faculty to maintain their academic and research missions.

The state is also challenging broad cuts to conservation and infrastructure. Recent filings have addressed the cancellation of nearly 80 federal grants through the Department of the Interior, which impacted local efforts, including the restoration of the endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly. Additionally, Oregon has sued over the freezing of federal funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure along major freight routes, arguing that withholding these already-authorized funds harms the state’s economy and its transition to cleaner energy.

State leaders claim these legal actions have already protected billions of dollars in federal aid. Key victories and ongoing cases include:

Disaster Preparedness: Successfully blocking attempts to cut FEMA funding used for wildfire and flood response.
Public Services: Challenging the withholding of $1.4 billion in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds.
Social Safety Nets: Suing to prevent changes to SNAP (food stamp) eligibility for refugees and asylees, as well as resisting new restrictions on homelessness and housing security programs.

While the administration maintains these policies are designed to protect American jobs and reduce federal waste, Oregon officials argue the moves are often unlawful attempts to bypass Congress and undermine state-level stability.

Klamath Falls City Council Approves Multi-Million Dollar Water Infrastructure Upgrade

The Klamath Falls City Council has moved forward with a significant infrastructure investment by approving the S. 6th Street Booster Pump Station Project. This development is part of a broader push to modernize the city’s aging water systems and ensure reliable delivery for the local community.

The new station is designed to stabilize water pressure and improve flow efficiency throughout the 6th Street corridor. The project involves the construction of a brand-new physical structure that will house industrial-grade pumps and advanced electrical components. Key technical work includes the installation of high-efficiency motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs) for precise control, and a comprehensive mechanical system integrated with the city's existing water mains.

City engineers estimate the total cost of the project to be between $1.84 million and $2.24 million. Official bidding opened in late 2025, with a pre-bid meeting held for contractors on November 19, 2025, at the City of Klamath Falls conference room. Mobilization and site preparation are expected to follow the final selection of a general contractor, marking another step in the city’s multi-year effort to replace 1950s-era infrastructure, similar to the ongoing upgrades at the Spring Street Sewage Treatment Plant.

Beyond improving daily water service, this station is critical for regional growth. By increasing the system's capacity to move water effectively, the city can better support new residential and commercial developments while maintaining adequate fire suppression pressure—a vital concern for the drought-prone Klamath Basin.

Local Leader Rejeana Jackson Announces Candidacy for Klamath County Clerk in 2026

Rejeana Jackson has officially filed her candidacy for the position of Klamath County Clerk, marking her latest bid for local leadership. Jackson, who has been a prominent figure in local civic and political circles, will compete for the non-partisan office in the upcoming May 19, 2026, Primary Election.

Jackson brings a diverse professional background to her campaign, including two decades of experience in store management and human resources for major retailers such as Target and JCPenney. During her career, she managed multi-million dollar budgets and led large teams, skills she argues are directly transferable to the administrative and operational demands of the Clerk’s Office.

As a candidate, Jackson has emphasized a commitment to integrity and equal representation for all residents across Klamath County, from Crescent to Merrill. Her platform focuses on:

Process Improvement: Utilizing her background in organizational communications and business to streamline county filing and recording systems.
Public Service Advocacy: Strengthening the relationship between the Clerk's Office and the public to ensure transparent and effective leadership.
Local Roots: Highlighting her long-term residency in Klamath County and her education at Pepperdine University and Klamath Union High School.

The race for County Clerk is shaping up to be a competitive one, with Daniel Beard also filing as a candidate for the position. The role of the Clerk is vital to the county, as it oversees elections, marriage licenses, property records, and passport applications.

Jackson is no stranger to the local political scene; she previously served as the Chairwoman of the Klamath County Republican Central Committee and ran for Klamath County Commissioner in 2024. For this 2026 run, she has already garnered endorsements from notable local leaders, including State Representative Emily McIntire and State Senator-Elect Diane Linthicum.

The filing window for this election remains open through March 2026, with the primary set to determine if a candidate can secure an outright majority or if the race will proceed to the general election in November.

Correction

Final F-15 Eagle Taxi at Kingsley Field Signals End of Decades-Long Mission

On Monday, December 22, 2025, the 173rd Fighter Wing is set to host a final taxi ceremony at Kingsley Field for its last two remaining F-15 Eagle aircraft. This event marks the definitive conclusion of the F-15 era in southern Oregon, a mission that has spanned more than 25 years. The aircraft have served as the backbone of the wing's training operations, producing generations of air superiority pilots for the United States Air Force.

Airmen, community members, and distinguished guests are expected to gather along the flight line to witness the iconic jets move under their own power for the final time. For decades, the roar of the Eagle has been a constant presence over the Klamath Basin, symbolizing the wing's role in national defense and pilot instruction.

The retirement of the F-15 fleet paves the way for a major technological shift at Kingsley Field. The 173rd Fighter Wing is transitioning to the F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter. This change ensures the base remains a critical training hub for the next generation of combat-ready pilots, with the first F-35 airframes scheduled to arrive in 2026.

While most of the wing's F-15s are headed to the "Boneyard" in Arizona or being transferred to international allies, the unit recently celebrated a significant milestone in preserving its history. In August 2025, F-15C Eagle A/C 114 was officially inducted into the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This specific aircraft, which boasts a historic combat record including two MiG kills, now serves as a permanent tribute to the excellence of the 173rd Fighter Wing and the F-15 platform.

Oregon Signature Drive Successfully Halts Scheduled Gas Tax and Fee Increases

Scheduled tax and fee hikes for Oregon drivers have been officially paused after a Republican-led petition campaign submitted nearly 200,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office on December 12, 2025. The "No Tax Oregon" campaign targeted specific provisions of House Bill 3991, a $4.3 billion transportation package signed by Governor Tina Kotek in November. By submitting more than double the required 78,116 signatures, the group has triggered a process that suspends the new taxes until voters can decide on a referendum, likely in November 2026.

The now-paused increases include a 6-cent-per-gallon hike to the state’s gas tax, which was set to rise from 40 cents to 46 cents on January 1. Other suspended measures include a doubling of the statewide payroll tax from 0.1% to 0.2%, as well as significant increases to vehicle registration and titling fees. For many Oregonians, the suspension means a passenger vehicle title fee will remain at $77 instead of jumping to the proposed $216, and registration for a standard car will stay at $86 rather than increasing to $170.

While the petition has effectively frozen these costs for taxpayers, state officials warn of immediate fiscal consequences for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Governor Kotek’s office stated that the pause creates an urgent funding shortfall that may necessitate service cuts, as the revenue was intended to prevent layoffs and fund essential road maintenance like pothole repair and snow plowing. Democratic leaders have criticized the move as destabilizing to the state’s infrastructure, while petition organizers argue that Oregonians deserve a direct vote on such a substantial tax burden during a period of high inflation.

State election officials have until January 29, 2026, to verify the signatures. If the petition is certified, the tax and fee hikes will remain on hold until the 2026 general election results are finalized. In the meantime, other portions of the transportation bill not targeted by the petition—such as increased oversight for ODOT and changes to heavy truck taxation—will proceed as scheduled.

Federal Indictment Unsealed Against Two Romanian Nationals for Multi-State SNAP Fraud

Two Romanian nationals living unlawfully in the United States have been indicted for their alleged roles in a sophisticated conspiracy to steal more than $160,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The defendants, Alexandru Telescu, 29, and Aramis Manolea, 35, appeared in federal court in Portland on December 18, 2025, to face a 26-count indictment including conspiracy to defraud the United States, aggravated identity theft, and trafficking in device-making equipment.

The scheme targeted low-income families and vulnerable individuals across Oregon, Washington, and California. According to federal prosecutors, the defendants installed skimming devices and pinhole cameras on point-of-sale terminals at retail stores to capture Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card data and personal identification numbers. This stolen information was then used to create counterfeit cards, which the group utilized to make hundreds of fraudulent purchases—primarily for high-value items like infant formula and energy drinks—at various retailers, including a Sam's Club in California.

Law enforcement officials noted the "gut-wrenching" nature of the crimes, emphasizing that the theft often occurred just minutes after monthly benefits were loaded onto victims' accounts, leaving families unable to pay for groceries at the checkout line. The investigation involved a massive coordination between the USDA Office of Inspector General, the IRS Criminal Investigation unit, and local law enforcement across the West Coast.

Both Telescu and Manolea have pleaded not guilty and are currently being held in federal custody pending trial. This case highlights a growing trend in EBT fraud, which has seen a significant spike in the Pacific Northwest throughout late 2025, prompting state officials to urge cardholders to change their PINs frequently and utilize official apps to "freeze" their cards when not in use.

Community Generosity Fuels Holiday Spirit in Sprague River

The Sprague River Bridge Connection is expressing deep gratitude to community members following a highly successful holiday food drive. Through the simple but impactful act of donating recyclable bottles and cans throughout the year, the community raised a total of $1,379. These funds were used to purchase complete Christmas dinners for 80 local families, ensuring that neighbors could enjoy a festive and nutritious meal during the holiday season.

The reach of the program expanded further thanks to the Sprague River Fellowship Church, which contributed five additional food boxes. This collaborative effort brought the final total to 85 families served. The organization also recognized the vital corporate support provided by Fred Meyer and Bi-Mart, whose donations of gift cards were instrumental in securing the necessary groceries and supplies.

The distribution day was marked by immense gratitude from recipients and a festive atmosphere for all involved. Adding to the holiday cheer, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Mylee the Elf made a special appearance to hand out presents to children and adults alike. Organizers noted that the joy shared during the event served as a powerful reminder of the community's strength and the profound blessing of continued local support.

Oregon Lawmakers Clash Over Winter Road Maintenance Following Tax Freeze

A sharp partisan divide has erupted in Salem as Oregon legislators struggle to address a looming funding crisis for winter road maintenance. This latest conflict follows a successful Republican-led signature drive that effectively froze a multi-billion dollar transportation funding package passed during a tense special session earlier this year. The "No Tax Oregon" campaign submitted nearly 200,000 signatures last week, far exceeding the requirement to refer the tax hikes to the November 2026 ballot. As a result, scheduled increases to gas taxes, vehicle registration fees, and transit payroll taxes are suspended until voters weigh in, leaving the Oregon Department of Transportation with a significant budget deficit as winter weather intensifies.

GOP lawmakers, including Representative Mark Owens and Senator Mike McLane, are now calling on the state’s Emergency Board to release one-time funds to ensure snowplows and road crews remain active. They argue that public safety should not be held hostage to tax increases and suggest that the agency could shuffle existing funds to prioritize core maintenance. Republican leadership maintains that they have always supported road safety but remain steadfastly opposed to what they describe as the largest tax hike in state history. They have urged the department to seek emergency money to cover the immediate costs of plowing and patching roads following recent heavy rain and early snow.

Democrats have responded with incredulity, accusing their Republican colleagues of manufacturing an emergency by blocking the very revenue streams designed to prevent it. State Representative Travis Nelson and other House Democrats characterized the GOP's request for emergency funds as "rich," noting that the same legislators seeking a bailout supported the petition that put long-term funding on ice. Democratic leaders argue that a stable, dedicated funding source is the only responsible way to manage the state's infrastructure and that relying on sporadic emergency allocations is a precarious strategy. Governor Tina Kotek’s office has warned that while she is directing the agency to continue hiring winter crews for now, significant service cuts and potential layoffs remain financially unavoidable without the suspended revenue.

Federal Grant Secures Future for Klamath Falls Head Start

The Klamath Family Head Start center in Klamath Falls has successfully averted a foreclosure crisis after receiving a critical $650,000 federal grant. The funding, provided through the 1303 facilities grant program, allowed the organization to retire an outstanding facility loan used to purchase its main hub. Without this intervention, the center faced a looming December 18 deadline from its lender, which would have put the building and its essential services at imminent risk.

The center serves approximately 180 children and families in the rural Southern Oregon community, providing nine classrooms, mental health services, nutrition support, and administrative space. The grant approval followed months of uncertainty and administrative delays at the federal level, which prompted urgent calls for action from Oregon’s congressional delegation, including Congressman Cliff Bentz and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

Local leaders and staff expressed immense relief at the news, noting that the funds ensure the continuation of a program that has been a community staple since 1980. The successful payout of the mortgage ensures that the facility will remain an active site for early childhood education and family support services, preventing any disruption to the daily lives of the local families who rely on the center for licensed care.

Final Audit: Oregon’s Measure 110 Faces Critical Scrutiny Over Lack of Results

A final state-mandated audit released on December 17, 2025, has delivered a scathing assessment of Oregon’s Measure 110 drug treatment programs. The report, issued by the Secretary of State’s Audits Division, concludes that despite the state spending approximately $800 million since 2021, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has failed to establish a coordinated system or demonstrate stable, meaningful results for those struggling with addiction.

The audit highlights several critical failures within the program's implementation and oversight. Measure 110 services remain isolated from the rest of Oregon’s behavioral health system, creating a fragmented landscape that makes it difficult for individuals to navigate care. Auditors also found that the OHA lacks reliable information to track basic metrics, meaning the state cannot determine how many people have been served or if overdose rates have actually declined due to the program.

Frequent leadership changes at the OHA and annual legislative revisions—including the 2024 move to recriminalize possession—have undermined the program’s stability and prevented the development of long-term strategies. While $391 million in grants was awarded in 2025 alone, the audit notes that the grant process has been inconsistent and lacked proper oversight, leading to what was described as "dysfunctional implementation."

The report has triggered sharp criticism from Oregon's political leadership. Secretary of State Tobias Read stated that "enough is enough," emphasizing that the program's shortcomings are due to a failure in basic governance and accountability rather than a lack of resources. House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer characterized the findings as a "failure of leadership," arguing that the program lacked the urgency and direction required to address the rising overdose crisis.

In response, the OHA agreed with only half of the audit’s six recommendations. The agency disputed the requirement to evaluate the program's impact on overdose rates, citing the complicating influence of the fentanyl epidemic and arguing that the early data is not comparable to current metrics.

This audit represents the third and final legislatively mandated review of Measure 110. As the state moves toward a model of "deflection" following the recriminalization of hard drugs, the report serves as a warning that without a unified roadmap and better data standards, the public health goals of the original measure may remain unfulfilled.

Chiloquin Man Fatally Injured in Head-On Collision on Highway 97

Oregon State Police have identified the victim of a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Klamath County. The head-on collision claimed the life of Triston Charles Morrow, 26, of Chiloquin.

The accident took place at approximately 6:40 p.m. near milepost 255 on Highway 97. According to the preliminary investigation by troopers, a southbound Chevrolet Silverado 2500 lost control and crossed into the northbound lane. The truck then struck Morrow’s northbound Toyota Hilux head-on. Emergency responders declared Morrow deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 37-year-old Gordon Travis Gilmer of Sacramento, California, sustained minor injuries. One passenger in the Chevrolet was also treated for minor injuries, while a second passenger was reported uninjured.

The crash impacted traffic on Highway 97 for about an hour while the Oregon Department of Transportation and local fire crews assisted with the scene. Oregon State Police are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the crash, including road conditions at the time of the impact.

Klamath Falls Leaders Back New Legislation to Restore Commercial Air Service

Local officials and state representatives in Klamath Falls are rallying behind a new legislative effort designed to help rural airports like Crater Lake–Klamath Regional Airport overcome the financial hurdles of attracting commercial airlines. The centerpiece of this effort is House Bill 3965, a measure introduced during the 2025 legislative session that aims to bridge the gap left since the departure of major carriers over a decade ago.

Under the proposed legislation, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services would award a $2 million grant specifically to the City of Klamath Falls. This funding is intended to provide the financial leverage needed to secure a service agreement with a commercial airline. To ensure accountability, the bill includes a "clawback" provision requiring the city to return the funds if a contract for commercial air service is not finalized by June 30, 2027.

State Representative E. Werner Reschke, a member of the Joint Committee on Transportation, is a primary driver of the bill. He has emphasized that reliable air service is a critical "missing link" for the region's economy, particularly for major local employers and institutions such as:

Sky Lakes Medical Center, which requires air access to recruit physicians.
Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) and Klamath Community College.
The 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field.
Local manufacturing and tourism sectors that benefit from direct connectivity to major hubs like Portland.

Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall and other community leaders have expressed strong support for the measure, noting that the current alternative—a more than hour-long drive to Medford over mountain passes—is a significant barrier during winter months.

While the airport has successfully maintained its federal certifications and recently received $9.5 million in FAA grants for runway and taxiway reconstruction, the lack of a commercial carrier remains a primary concern. Supporters believe that with state-backed financial incentives like those in HB 3965, the airport will be in a much stronger position to demonstrate to airlines that Klamath Falls is a viable and profitable destination.

Leadership Conference Inspires KCC
Students to Build on their Education

Six Klamath Community College (KCC) students recently returned from the national Circle of Change Leadership Conference in Los Angeles with newfound confidence and a scholarship win. Deseray Cerrillo-Hernandez stood out by winning one of two available scholarships after competing against 67 other applicants.

The group traveled to California State University with TRiO Director Hailie Mentz, supported by college funding and the First-Generation Student Success Grant. Attendees included Cerrillo-Hernandez, Chris Mercado, Evangeline Daisog, Rebecca Hedges, Justin Fields, and Korina Hildebrand.

Transformative Experiences

For Cerrillo-Hernandez, a single mother studying Health Information Management, the trip was a series of firsts, including her first time on an airplane. She shared that the experience helped her address imposter syndrome and move past a constant need for external validation.

Chris Mercado, an aspiring veterinarian, emphasized the value of networking with top-tier professionals. Meanwhile, Rebecca Hedges, a geomatics student, found clarity in the concept of "courageous faith," which encourages acting despite fear and insecurity.

Breaking Barriers

A highlight for the students was a symbolic board-breaking exercise where they literally "chopped" through written fears to reach their life goals. This activity resonated with students like Evangeline Daisog, a first-generation student whose parents moved from the Philippines and pushed her to pursue higher education.

Understanding the First-Generation Experience

The conference specifically targeted first-generation students, defined as individuals whose parents did not complete a four-year degree. These students often face unique challenges:

Navigating complex academic systems without family guidance.
Battling imposter syndrome or the feeling that they are "faking it" in college.
Hesitating to ask for help for fear of proving they don't belong.

Despite these hurdles, being a first-generation student at KCC offers access to specialized TRiO programs, personalized advising, and unique scholarship opportunities designed to foster generational change.

Keynote Inspiration

The event featured several prominent speakers:

Dr. Joshua Fredenburg: The founder of Circle of Change and a national leadership consultant.
Kevin Bracy: A speaker who used his difficult childhood as fuel to earn a baseball scholarship and graduate from the University of Utah.
Tish Norman: Executive Director of Transforming Leaders Now, Inc., specializing in career skills and the African American experience.

Negotiations Stall: KFCS Educators Face Christmas Cliff as District Fails to Provide Wage Counter

In a high-stakes meeting last night, the lowest-paid educators of Klamath Falls City Schools (KFCS) addressed the public before entering a negotiation session that ultimately failed to produce a wage agreement. Despite classified staff sharing personal accounts of struggling to survive on what they term "poverty wages," the District did not provide a wage counteroffer during the proceedings.

Instead, the District requested an additional bargaining session for December 22. This upcoming meeting, which media are invited to attend, is when the District has pledged to deliver a financial proposal finally.

The lack of progress comes as a frustration to classified staff, who point to recent financial decisions made by the School Board:

Administrative Raises: On December 8, the Board ratified new contracts for other school employees, including raises for high-paid administrators that reportedly totaled tens of thousands of dollars.
Poverty Levels: Currently, 25% of the District’s classified educators—including classroom paraeducators, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and front office staff—rely on public assistance to supplement their income.
Current Wages: Some classified staff earn less than $16 an hour.

The union is seeking a $4.00 hourly raise to lift employees out of poverty. To date, the District’s only offer has been a $1.50 increase, a figure educators have called "insulting."

If the District does not provide an acceptable offer during the December 22 session, the educators have stated they are united in their next steps. They are prepared to call for an immediate move to mediation and have indicated a willingness to strike if necessary to secure a living wage. For these families, the outcome of the next meeting will determine the stability of their households heading into the holiday season.

Klamath County Fire District 1 Honors Crews for Heroic Life-Saving Rescue During Martin Street Fire

In a formal ceremony held on December 2, 2025, Interim Fire Chief Brent Knutson and Klamath County Fire District 1 (KCFD1) leadership recognized a team of firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs for their life-saving performance during a structure fire on Martin Street.

The incident occurred on the morning of November 14, 2025, after dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a residential fire. KCFD1 crews arrived on the scene in less than four minutes and immediately faced deteriorating, hazardous conditions with heavy smoke and active flames. Upon arrival, firefighters performed a rapid "size-up" of the building and initiated an aggressive search and rescue operation.

Within 75 seconds of entering the burning home, the rescue team located a critically injured, unresponsive resident trapped inside and successfully extricated them. Medical personnel on-site provided immediate advanced life-saving interventions before transporting the patient to Sky Lakes Medical Center. The resident was later transferred to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) for specialized care.

During the recognition event, Chief Knutson praised the crew for their discipline and courage, noting that their coordinated efforts and rapid response time directly prevented a loss of life. He emphasized that while the district strives for excellence daily, the actions taken on Martin Street rose above customary standards and reflected the core mission of the fire service to protect life at any risk.

Hope Street Farmstand to Host Festive
Grinch Meet & Greet

The holiday spirit is arriving at Hope Street Farmstand on Saturday, December 20, as the local favorite hosts a special Grinch Meet & Greet from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Located at 3803 Hope Street, the event invites families to bring their cameras for photos with the iconic holiday character right at the stand.

Attendees can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and mushroom coffee while exploring the barn, which will be fully stocked with farmstand staples and seasonal favorites. The event will also feature a "pop-up" market highlighting the work of local bakers and creators, offering a variety of handmade treats and holiday gifts.

The Farmstand barn will maintain its regular holiday hours, opening at 8:00 AM on both Friday and Saturday and remaining open until 8:00 PM or until products are sold out. Organizers describe the gathering as a way to celebrate community and local commerce while kicking off the final countdown to the holiday season.

Klamath County Proposes Dedicated Emergency Operations Center to Tackle Seismic Risks

Klamath County officials are moving forward with a proposal to establish a permanent Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to centralize disaster response, specifically focusing on the threat of a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Currently, the county lacks a dedicated facility and has been forced to coordinate recent emergency responses from various temporary locations, which Emergency Manager Ian Thigpen noted has led to delays and operational confusion.

The proposed plan involves remodeling an existing county building on Vandenberg Avenue, which currently serves as a temporary home for the juvenile department. The new facility would serve as a critical hub because FEMA has designated Klamath Falls as one of two primary support sites in Oregon for a large-scale seismic event. During such a disaster, officials estimate the county's population could double as up to 70,000 displaced individuals move through the region from harder-hit coastal areas.

In addition to the main operations center, the proposal includes a "bunkhouse" on Summers Lane to house incident management teams and volunteers. This secondary facility is expected to generate revenue by being rented out to wildfire management teams, potentially saving the county over $50,000 annually. When not in use for emergencies, the EOC would function as a community classroom and a backup location for the Klamath 911 Emergency Communications District.

The project’s progress is contingent on a $2 million federal grant from FEMA. If the funding is secured, the facility will provide a "high-tech classroom" environment designed to handle the complex logistics of what experts call "The Big One," ensuring that local leadership has a stable, centralized base to manage both local recovery and statewide support efforts.

Final F-15 Eagles to Conduct Historic Last Taxi at Kingsley Field

The 173rd Fighter Wing will mark the official end of an era on December 22, 2025, as the final two F-15 Eagle aircraft assigned to Kingsley Field complete their last taxi across the flight line. This historic event signifies the conclusion of nearly three decades of F-15 operations in southern Oregon, a period during which the base served as the premier training site for the nation's air superiority pilots.

Since the F-15's arrival at the base in 1998, the "Land of No Slack" has produced generations of combat-ready fighter pilots and maintainers. The final movement of these iconic airframes will be observed by a gathering of Airmen, media, and distinguished guests, honoring the aircraft’s undefeated combat legacy and its permanent place in the history of the Klamath Basin.

The retirement of the F-15 fleet paves the way for Kingsley Field’s next chapter as it transitions to a fifth-generation fighter mission. The 173rd Fighter Wing has been selected to host the F-35A Lightning II Formal Training Unit, with the first of these advanced stealth fighters expected to arrive in 2026. This transition ensures that Kingsley Field remains at the forefront of national air defense and pilot training for decades to come.

Local News YOU Can USE from the Local News Network For January 10, 2026

Bluebird Skies and Mixed Bag Trails: Southern Oregon Skiwatch Update

Protesters Gather in Klamath Falls to Oppose U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Federal Agents Shoot Two in Portland During "Targeted Stop"; City Leaders Demand Halt to ICE Operations

Protests Erupt at Portland ICE Facility Following Federal Shooting

Governor Kotek Extends Oregon Homelessness Emergency for Third Year with Focus on Mental Health

Trail Blazers Propose $600 Million "Tax Redirect" for Moda Center Renovations

Oregon Tech Board Approves State’s First Applied Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence

New 70-Space RV Park with Repurposed Golf Cart Paths Opens Near Downtown Klamath Falls

WinCo Foods Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited Klamath Falls Location

Oregon Tax Season 2026: Fast E-Filing vs. Delayed Paper Returns

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Election Executive Order in Victory for Oregon and Washington

Hazelnuts Bound for Indiana Following Hoosiers’ Dominant Peach Bowl Victory

DHS Claims Driver 'Weaponized' Vehicle; Portland Officials Express Deep Skepticism of Federal Narrative

Southern Oregon Snowpack Still 70% Below Median Despite Recent Snowfall Boost

How to Claim Your Share of Oregon's $1.41 Billion Kicker: DOR Urges E-Filing for Faster Refunds

St. Helens Man Arrested in Grants Pass for Attempted Murder in Sunset Beach Bombing Case

Fatalities Mount on Klamath County Highways Amidst Dangerous January Freeze

Sacred Fish on the Brink: Klamath Tribes Warn of Cultural 'Cataclysm' as Suckers Age Out

Ashland Attorney Amy Bowers Cordalis to Discuss Memoir on Klamath River Restoration Saturday

Hazelnuts vs. Popcorn: The 2026 Peach Bowl Wager

Klamath Falls Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Child Sexual Abuse Material Crimes

Five Injured in Rollover Crash on Icy Highway 97 Near Chiloquin

Kotek Calls for Repeal of Transportation Package as Republican Ballot Challenge Freezes Funds

Oregon Lawmakers Seek to Empower Residents to Sue Federal Agents Amid Immigration Crackdown

Alaska Airlines Pilot Sues Boeing for $10 Million, Alleging "Scapegoat" Tactics After Door Plug Blowout

Winter Storm Warning Grips Klamath County High Elevations Through Thursday Afternoon

Oregon Unemployment Holds at 5.2% as State Tops 2025 Inbound Migration Rankings

Klamath Falls Police Department Recruiting Volunteers for "VIPS" Support Program

Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union Rebrands as Sage Credit Union to Reflect Western Expansion

Klamath County Winter Weather Update Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 3:30 PM PST

Kotek Unveils "Redirect, Repeal, and Rebuild" Strategy to Solve Oregon’s Transportation Crisis

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield Sues Insulin Giants for $900 Million Over "Coordinated" Price-Gouging Scheme

Winter Weather Hammers Klamath County

Final National Guard Troops Ordered Home from Portland

Oregon Reclaims Spot as Top Destination for Inbound Movers

Couples Camp Out for Dream Wedding Dates in 2026

Anti-War Protest Scheduled for Klamath Falls

Klamath Basin Farmers Confront Shifting Climate Reality

Heading 3

Klamath Falls Police Call for Community Volunteers

Lighting a Candle in the News Desert: Why I’m Trading the Anchor Desk for the Local News Network

KCC Enhances Nursing Education with $114,000 High-Tech Childbirth Simulator

Public Hearing Today: Oregon to Finalize New Safeguards for Motor Voter Program

Heavy Snow and High Winds Aim for Cascades Amid Record Low Snowpack

Flu Infections Hit 25-Year High Nationally as Pediatric Hospitalizations Surge in Oregon

New Oregon DMV Rules Prioritize Local Drivers in Rural Counties to Slash Wait Times

Bend Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Rollover on Highway 31

KCC Student Wins Top Scholarship at National Circle of Change Leadership Conference

Oregon Students Share Lived Experiences in Second Year of Statewide Equity Survey

Ten Years After Malheur Occupation, Harney County Finds Unity in Shared Survival

Salem Council to Reconsider Appointment of Convicted Murderer to Public Safety Boards

Heavy Snow and Hazardous Travel Expected as Winter Storm Watch Hits Klamath County and Cascades

Experienced Oregon Pilot and Three Nieces Killed in Arizona Helicopter Crash on Wedding Day

Tractor Supply Co. Launches New Klamath Falls Store with Grand Opening Weekend

Oregon Receives $197 Million for Rural Health Care Amid Massive Medicaid Cuts

NW Democrats Condemn "Unconstitutional" Venezuela Strike as "No Kings" Rallies Surge in Portland

Whale Death Near Yachats Ignites Push for "Pop-Up" Crab Gear to Protect Migrating Humpbacks

Heavy Rain and "Saturated" Snowpack Force Southern Oregon Ski Areas to Pause Operations

"The Healing is Real": Klamath Indigenous Land Trust Reclaims 10,000 Acres for Salmon Recovery

Community Tradition and Conservation Milestones: Klamath Falls Rings in 2026

Southern Oregon Winter Storm Alert: Heavy Winds and Fresh Snow Arrive as Resorts Navigate Low Base

Race Against Time to Save Crater Lake’s Unique Newt

Merkley Kicks Off 2026 Statewide Tour With Southern Oregon Town Halls

Heading 3

Mt. Hood Meadows Halts Operations as Rain Saturates Rare Snowpack

A Decade Later: Harney County Reflects on the Malheur Refuge Occupation

Heading 3

Heavy Rain and Freezing Fog Trigger Travel Warnings Across Oregon Cascades

Klamath Falls Welcomes New Year with 33rd Annual Bullmania

Oregon Battles Federal Overreach: 53 Lawsuits Filed in 2025 to Protect Billions in State Funding

Governor Kotek: No Official Word on Troop Return Despite New Year's Eve Announcement

Oregon Implements Nearly 300 New Laws for 2026 Focused on Affordability and Worker Rights

Oregon Humane Society Shatters Records with Over 12,000 Adoptions in 2025

Algae Toxins Linger in Upper Klamath Lake: Public Advisory Lifted, but Pet Warning Remains

Klamath Falls Man Sentenced to 12 Years Following Four-Month Sex Abuse Investigation

Trump Halts National Guard Deployments in Portland, Chicago, and LA Following Legal Defeats

Oregon Rings in 2026 with Sweeping Protections for Consumers, Patients, and Minors

Oregon Sees Tenfold Spike in Federal Immigration Arrests During 2025 Surge

Oregon Regulators Approve Rate Decrease for Pacific Power Customers Starting January 1

Local News YOU Can USE from the
Local News Network For January 10, 2026

Bluebird Skies and Mixed Bag Trails:
Southern Oregon Skiwatch Update

Klamath County Winter Weather Update
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | 3:30 PM PST

Bend Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Rollover
on Highway 31

Conservation Groups Urge Oregon to Reduce Whale Deaths
from Crab Fishing Gear

Klamath Falls Eyes Chance of White Christmas
Amid Holiday Storms

Lowest Paid Educators in Klamath Falls City Schools Call for Mediation After District Refuses
to End Poverty Wages

Correction

Final F-15 Eagle Taxi at Kingsley Field Signals End of Decades-Long Mission

Final Audit: Oregon’s Measure 110 Faces Critical Scrutiny Over Lack of Results