35.51 F
Klamath Falls
February 14, 2025

Klamath Basin News, Wednesday 2/5/2025 – Schools Closed In Basin For 3rd Day; Driving Conditions Remain Difficult in Klamath County; Oregon Nurses Association Reach Agreement with Providence Oregon Hospitals

The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald and News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance. Call them at 541-882-6476.

 

Wednesday, February 5, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Winter Storm Warning until Wednesday evening, February 5, 07:00 PM

Today
A 40% chance of snow showers, mainly after 1pm, with a high near 33. Southeast wind 6 to 14 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Tonight a chance of snow showers before 10pm, then a chance of snow showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible overnight.

Thursday
Snow showers continue at times all day, cloudy, with a high near 34. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Overnight, more snow, low around 24. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Friday
A chance of snow before 10am, then a slight chance of snow showers after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Overnight low of 7 degrees.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.
 

 

Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines


The major snow storm that has dumped several inches of snow in Southern Oregon and the Klamath Basin has closed all schools, Oregon Tech, KCC and state and federal offices for a third day on this Wednesday

Many Pacific Power customers remain without electricity. Drivers should be extra cautious as trees are reported down due to the large amount of wet, heavy snow that coated the entire region. 

Chains are required on most highways into and out of the Klamath Basin area.

Some Wynne Broadcasting stations are down due to fiber optic outages as well. 

Motorists are urged to log on to tripcheck.com to get the latest road conditions in the state of Oregon.

 

On Monday evening patrol officers from the Klamath Falls Police Department responded to the area of 2121 Washburn Way regarding a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
 
Upon arrival, officers found an unconscious male pedestrian who was not breathing. They began to perform life saving measures and once medical personnel from Klamath County Fire District #1 arrived on scene, they took over and confirmed the male had succumbed from his injuries.
 
Detectives responded to the scene to assist in the incident. Detectives determined the pedestrian had been walking in the northbound lane of travel while wearing dark colored clothing when the crash occurred. At this time, it appears this is an unfortunate accident, and the driver of the vehicle has not been charged with any crimes.
 
Anyone who may have additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Bergstrom of the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336 or contact the anonymous tip line at 541-883-5334. Please reference KFPD case 25-00369. The Klamath Falls Police Department appreciates any assistance you can provide, and we ask the public to please take extra precautions while traveling in these hazardous weather conditions.

 

Message from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office

As the snow keeps falling, the roads in our county will continue to be hazardous. Here are a few winter driving tips:
1. Allow more time than normal to get to your destination. Speed and winter conditions don’t mix.
2. Make sure your vehicle can handle the conditions. A disabled vehicle can become a road hazard and cause more vehicles to get stuck in the snow, or it can cause accidents.
3. USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS! With reduced visibility, your headlights will help other motorists see you.
4. Allow for more following distance between you and vehicles in front of you.
5. If your vehicle becomes stuck or you are in an accident, try and get your vehicle off of the roadway the best you can so it does not become a hazard, start exchanging insurance information, and, if needed, contact the non-emergency line at 541-884-4876
If you are planning on traveling in winter conditions:
1. Keep food, water, and blankets in your vehicle.
2. Make sure you have winter vehicle accessories such as shovels, chains etc.
3. Make sure someone else is aware of your travel plans and expected arrival times.
Remember, rural county roads are not meant to be bypasses for state highways when they are closed for winter conditions or crashes. These roads are not maintained at the same level as highways and you could find yourself stuck for long periods of time.
We hope that all residents of Klamath County drive safely and enjoy this winter weather!
 

The town of Lakeview is reporting impacts to its sewage system due to a power outage caused by a damaged line.

Please conserve water during this power outage as the town’s sewage system is currently impacted,” the town wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday. “Flush toilets only when necessary.” 

Crews with Pacific Power have been notified about the damaged line. 

 

The recent snowstorm in Southern Oregon caused numerous cancellations of flights out of the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Medford Monday and Tuesday.

Flights to Seattle, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Phoenix have been impacted with cancellations. Arrivals are mostly on-time or delayed into Medford.

 

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community of a Bitcoin and Investment scam that has been targeting people.

The sheriff’s office said scammers are targeting people by posing as law enforcement, government agencies or tech support. They said the scammers have been pressuring their victims into buying Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies under false claims of it being for security reasons or to protect the funds.

The sheriff’s office said law enforcement will never ask for an investment into a cryptocurrency, demand payment in cryptocurrency or threaten you with arrest for not transferring funds. 

 

The Klamath County School District has three positions opening on its Board of Directors. The positions are:

  • Position 2: Henley Elem/Keno school zones
  • Position 3: Bonanza/ Malin/ Merrill school zones
  • Position 5: Peterson/Stearns school zones.

The Board of Directors positions listed above expire on June 30, 2025. These positions are for a four-year term and will expire on June 30, 2029. For information about running and serving on a school board, go to the Oregon School Boards Association site: https://www.osba.org/get-on-board/

Applicants must reside in their respective school attendance zones. If you are not sure if you reside in the correct zone, you may call Stephanie Bland in the Klamath County School District Superintendent’s Office at 541-851-8767. Applicants must file with the Klamath County Clerk’s office, 305 Main Street in Klamath Falls, to be put on the May 20, 2025 election ballot using the following timelines.

  • February 10, 2025 – first day for candidates to file
  • March 20, 2025 – last day for candidates to file

Applications are available through the KCSD Superintendent’s Office or the Klamath County Clerk’s Office. There is a $10 filing fee.

 

Volunteers from the Oregon Department of Revenue will be at the Klamath County Library, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 12 to assist taxpayers in using the free combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon to complete their returns. The library is located at 126 South Third Street in Klamath Falls.

Taxpayers can find more information on the department’sFree Direct File assistance at local libraries webpage.

The IRS estimates that 11,000 people in Klamath County are eligible to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon.

The department believes that helping taxpayers file their own returns using direct file will help maximize the number of Oregonians who choose to use the new free option and make it possible for many who don’t have a filing requirement to file and claim significant federal and state tax credits for low-income families. The IRS estimates that nearly 25 percent eligible Oregon taxpayers are not claiming the EITC. One Oregon organization says that added up to almost $100 million in unclaimed credits in 2020.

Taxpayers should use theIRS eligibility checker to see if they’ll be able to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon. Eligible taxpayers should set up an IRS online account and an account with Oregon’s Revenue Online before they come to an event.

Taxpayers should bring the following information with them to the library.

Identification documents

  • Social security card or ITIN for everyone on your tax return
  • Government picture ID for taxpayer and spouse if filing jointly (such as driver’s license or passport)

Common income and tax documents

  • Forms W2 (wages from a job)
  • Forms 1099 (other kinds of income)
  • Form SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefits)

Optional documents

  • Canceled check or bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
  • Last year’s tax return

Taxpayers cansignup for the new “Oregon Tax Tips” direct email newsletter to keep up with information about tax return filing and how to claim helpful tax credits. 

 

Klamath County School District Seeking Nominations for Crystal Apple Awards

Nominate a teacher, staff member for the Crystal Apple

Klamath County School District’s annual awards gala will be April 22 at the Ross Ragland

The Crystal Apple is given each year to eight KCSD staff who inspire and help students of all backgrounds and abilities. The winners receive their Crystal Apples during a gala at the Ross Ragland Theater. This year, the gala will be Tuesday, April 22.

A nominee can be a teacher, a counselor, a nurse or classified employee who has been with the district for at least three years. Community members are welcome and encouraged to submit nominations.

“This is an excellent opportunity for people to recognize and thank those special educators who make a positive impact on the lives of our students,” said KCSD Superintendent Glen Szymoniak.

To be nominated, a staff member must:

  • Work for the Klamath County School District for at least three years
  • Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities
  • Play an active and useful role in the community as well as the school

You can fill out and submit the nomination form online https://forms.gle/9cq2zNHfZ5KKgcWJ8 or print and fill out the form and submit it directly to Stephanie Bland, Klamath County School District, 2845 Greensprings Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 9760; blands@kcsd.k12.or.us. Links to the online nomination form are available on the KCSD website at www.kcsd.k12.or.us. All nominations are due no later than Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.

 
 

The Ross Ragland Theater’s February schedule is filled with music, food and even a movie.

Performances begin on Feb. 7 with Dusty Leigh and Special Guests. Flamingo Fred will MC the show as host Dusty Leigh welcomes Wassla, Sethro, Va$h and Dream, and Sympho.

Headliner Leigh is far from your average performer. He started by combining the hardcore element of hip-hop with the wittiness of pop, and his style evolved into a genre he refers to as R&C — Rhythm and Country. The 31-year-old entertainer hails from Louisville, KY.

Dusty Leigh and Special Guests: Friday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at ten dollars.

Alli Walker, country singer-songwriter, brings her unique blend of country music and bagpipes to The Ross Ragland stage on Feb. 8.

Walker’s dynamic blend of traditional country sounds with pop/rock sensibilities positions her as a dedicated and innovative force in the evolving landscape of country music. Her willingness to push genre boundaries and think outside the box has led her to be recently nominated for a Canadian Country Music Award for Top Female Artist. Her dynamic and innovative fusion of traditional country elements with her Celtic background has become a signature part of her live performances, setting her apart in the Nashville scene. 

Finally, The Ragland Masquerade Education Fundraiser makes its elegant return on Feb. 22. The Masquerade and Youth Scholarship Fundraiser is a premier fundraising gala and social event that raises awareness of the need and benefits of keeping access to the arts education for K-12 students across the Klamath Basin and Southeastern Oregon.

This must-attend event is full of elegance, delicious food and live entertainment, all dedicated to supporting the Ragland in funding our seven revered education programs that help create arts education opportunities for students across the Klamath Basin.

The Ragland Theater education programs offer over 20,000 individual opportunities for arts education to all students in the Basin, K-12, each year.

 

Pet of the Week from Klamath Animal Shelter

This week’s pet is a dog named ” Loralei “.  Loralei is a female Great Pyrenees mix about 1 1/2 years old. She is white with tan patches, the angle of her pictures makes her look small but she weighs around 55 pounds. 
 
Loralei is a happy energetic girl, still very puppy like and loves attention. She gets excited to greet people and forgets that jumping isn’t polite.
 
She will need regular grooming and a family that can give her lots of love and attention. 
 
If you are interested in adopting Loralei the shelter is located at 4240 Washburn Way, Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 4:00, walk throughs are available, pet meet and greets are by appointment, you can reach the shelter at 541-884-PETS (541-884-7387)
 
View all adoptable pets anytime online at http://www.klamathanimalshelter.org

 

 

Around the State of Oregon

PACIFIC POWER CREWS RESPOND TO WEATHER-RELATED OUTAGES ACROSS SOUTHERN OREGON

Power outages continue to be an issue for many in Klamath and Lake Counties.  Pacific Power is responding to widespread storm-related outages across its southern Oregon service area.

Thousands of customers in Oregon have been impacted by these outages. Crews are actively working to make repairs and restore power in areas impacted by the storm. Snow accumulation and continued winter weather has resulted in hazardous conditions impacting repair and restoration times.

Pacific Power encourages customers to report outages by calling 1-877-508-5088 or text OUT to 722797. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage.  

To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions: 

  • Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.  
  • Don’t drive over downed power lines. 
  • If there is damage to your service mast or weather head, where the powerline connects to your home or business, you will need to contact a licensed electrician for repairs before service can be restored. Our crews can only work on company-owned equipment. 
  • Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit. 
  • If you have power at this time, keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency. Before anything happens, download the Pacific Power app to your smart device so you can have information readily available. 
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.  
  • Remember your pets! Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. 
  • If you are using alternate heat or cooking sources, remember to allow plenty of ventilation. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.  
  • If you are using a generator, make sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the generator is outside and not near any household air intakes. Do not connect the generator directly to your breaker box as this can create a dangerous situation for crews working on the powerlines. Instead, plug essential appliances directly into the generator. 

 

Oregon Nurses Association Reaches Tentative Agreement with Providence Oregon Hospitals

After seven days of intensive mediation, initiated at the request of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and after 26 days on strike (and counting), the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) today reached a tentative agreement with Providence Oregon at the 8 registered nurse (RN) bargaining units currently on strike.

Those units include Providence St. Vincent, Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Medford Medical Center, Providence Newberg, Providence Willamette Falls, Providence Milwaukie, Providence Hood River and Providence Seaside. (The hospitalists at St. Vincent Medical Center remain on strike and in negotiations.)

Broadly speaking, key provisions of the agreement include:

  • Annual Step Increases & New Step 30: In 2026, nurses will receive annual step increases with a new Step 30 and additional fill-in steps added across all bargaining units. 
  • Wage Increases: Across-the-board increases over the life of the contract and increases for members upon ratification.  
  • Ratification Bonus: We were not able to achieve full retroactive pay. Instead, a portion of retro pay will be distributed as a bonus based on hours worked since contract expiration. 
  • No Changes to Contract Expiration Dates: We were not able to achieve contract alignments. Current contract expiration dates will remain unchanged across all Providence Oregon facilities. 
  • Break & Meal Penalty Pay: Nurses will automatically receive one hour of penalty pay for each missed break or lunch. 
  • Statewide Health Benefits Workgroup: A workgroup will be established to evaluate and make recommendations on health benefits and the feasibility of a statewide health benefits trust. 
  • Aetna Health Care Customer Service: A dedicated Aetna customer service team will be available for members to assist in navigating changes to employer-provided health insurance. 
  • Staffing: Contract language memorializing Oregon’s new staffing law and other hospital-specific benefits.  

Ratification votes will open on Thursday, February 6 at 8 a.m. and close on Friday, February 7 at 4 p.m. (Note: Due to inclement weather, ratification vote times for Providence Medford will be Thursday, February 6 from 8 a.m. and closing Saturday, February 8 at 4 p.m.)

Nurses will remain on strike during the vote and will return to work if tentative agreements are ratified.

 

Temporarily anyway, President Donald Trump put his tariffs on Canada and Mexico on hold, for now.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Trump’s tariffs on Canada will not go into effect for at least 30 days. The 25% import tax on goods from Canada was set to begin Tuesday, along with 10% on its energy products. Trudeau said he pledged additional cooperation on border security during a call with Trump on Monday.

Trump also paused a 25% tariff on Mexico for a month, after the country agreed to maintain soldiers at its border to address drug trafficking. The president says it’s part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling.  

China still faces a 10% additional tariff that is now in effect on many goods coming into America. Some Oregon economics experts say it looks like it is a negotiating tactic so far. Oregon is sensitive to energy exports out of Canada, so electricity, natural gas, and also oil that’s ultimately refined into gasoline would all be impacted by those tariffs on Canadian exports if they become real next month. Stay tuned.

 

Oregon state employees saw significant pay bumps in the most recent fiscal year, as the median pay for full-time state workers rose by roughly $3,000 in 2024 compared to the previous fiscal year.

In total, the state paid $3.9 billion to its 49,000 full-time state workers and 1,900 part-time employees in the 12-month period that ended in June, according to an analysis of state data just released.

State employees range widely both in salaries and job descriptions. They include state troopers, social workers, forensic scientists, custodians and human resource coordinators. They also include powerful statewide elected officials, none of whom landed among the state’s 10,000 highest-paid employees. Employees across every agency saw larger paychecks last year. The median pay for full-time workers rose to $75,471, a 4.6% increase from the prior year. And more than a quarter of employees — 13,752 people — earned more than $100,000, according to the database the state provided the newsroom.

 

In Oregon’s capital city of Salem an hour’s-long protest Saturday against national immigration enforcement started peacefully but eventually grew into angry demonstrators blocking a busy northeast Salem intersection, driving dangerously and throwing objects at cars, according to the Salem Police Department.

The protest came as the Trump administration is commissioning what it recently described as “the largest massive deportation operation in history,” with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents planning or making arrests during raids throughout the U.S. for known and convicted robbers, burglars, rapists and some with murder convictions in their home countries. Several thousand have now been returned to their country and thousands more are said to be deported as the weeks and months go by.

Photos on social media showed hundreds of people gathered along Northeast Lancaster Drive, waving Mexican and American flags and waving signs saying “no one is illegal” and “families belong together.” The crowd was estimated at about 300 protestors.

Police finally arrested five Salem residents at the protest for accusations including reckless driving, disorderly conduct and one for unlawful possession of a firearm.

 

A shooting north of Clatskanie on Saturday afternoon left two people dead – including the shooter – and three people injured, authorities said.

All three survivors were taken to local hospitals including one, in critical condition, rushed to a hospital on a Life Flight helicopter. The Columbia County Sheriff’s office said it responded to a shooting on Ilmari Road a little before 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Responders found five shooting victims, two of them dead. The sheriff’s office said the dead included the shooter. The Oregon State Police and officers from Scappoose and St. Helens assisted in the response. The sheriff’s office said there is no threat to nearby residents from the incident but did not immediately respond Sunday to a message seeking additional detail on the shooting and the condition of the survivors.

 

The Oregon Legislature is considering a bill to delay the Advanced Clean Truck Act from taking effect until 2027.

The law requires large truck manufacturers to increase the number of electric trucks sold costing trucking companies millions of dollars. It does not prohibit diesel trucks from being sold, even after the rule is fully in effect in 2035. Opponents of the rule say the technology and charging infrastructure for the trucks doesn’t exist.

 

PORTLAND, Ore.–A Tualatin, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for conspiring to defraud the United States and filing false currency transaction reports.

David Katz, 48, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $44,877,254 in restitution to the IRS.

According to court documents and trial testimony, from January 2014 through December 2017, Katz, as president of Check Cash Pacific, Inc., conspired with others in the construction industry to defraud the United States by facilitating under-the-table payments to construction workers. To carry out the scheme, sham construction companies were created and used to cash more than $177 million in payroll checks at different Check Cash Pacific locations. The cash was used to pay construction workers under-the-table, with no taxes being withheld or reported to the IRS.

Construction companies would notify Katz when they planned to bring checks into one of his check cashing locations so that Katz could ensure he had enough cash on hand to complete the transaction. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of payroll checks were cashed daily and Katz was aware that at least one of his co-conspirators used a false name and social security number. Acting as compliance officer, Katz allowed hundreds of false regulatory reports to be filed knowing they contained the fake identity.

For his role in the scheme, Katz received a 2% commission on each transaction which, in total, amounted to more than $4 million. Over the course of their conspiracy, Katz and his co-conspirators prevented the IRS from collecting more than $44 million in payroll and income taxes due on the cash wages.

On December 2, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five-count indictment charging Katz with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and four counts of filing false currency transaction reports with FinCEN. On June 12, 2024, a federal jury in Portland found  Katz guilty of all charges.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Robert S. Trisotto and Andrew T. Ho, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

 

A Josephine County judge on Monday ordered the city of Grants Pass to halt enforcement actions against homeless campers for two weeks, pending a deeper review of a legal challenge.

Disability Rights Oregon filed a lawsuit last Thursday to stop Grants Pass from closing one of two sanctioned homeless camps and restricting the hours of the other. Circuit Judge Brandon S. Thueson signed a temporary restraining order that prohibits the city from citing, arresting, detaining, fining or otherwise prosecuting any person for camping anywhere in the city for the next 14 days.  The judge signed the order after hearing arguments for about one hour.

 

A suspect is in jail and a victim is in the hospital after a hit and run crash a week ago on a rural Rogue River roadway.

On Sunday, January 26th a vehicle struck a woman in the roadway in the 700 block of Queens Branch Rd. The woman was attempting to gain control of her horse at the time of the crash. The vehicle never stopped and fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

The woman was transported to an area hospital with major injuries but is in stable condition. The horse was not injured.

Multiple witnesses were on scene at the time of the crash and provided information to responding Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and Rogue River Police Department officers. Later Sunday night, JCSO deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle in the nearby area. Evidence on scene led deputies to connect the reported stolen vehicle to the crash. After further investigation, deputies determined the involved vehicle was not stolen and the suspect had initiated a false report.

JCSO deputies arrested the suspect Tuesday, January 28 just after 6 PM. The suspect, Jason Allan Baker, 40, of Rogue River is charged with second-degree assault, felony hit and run, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence, aggravated driving while suspended, and initiating a false police report. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

 

A former Bend Senior High School softball coach is being sued for $500,000 by a player who claims the coach knowingly entered the girls’ locker room as players were changing, last season.

The suit claims that around March 11, 2024, the coach entered the locker room. The player, who was 17 at the time, alleges that she was “substantially undressed” when the coach walked in.

“Despite urgent and repeated demands for him to leave the locker room, (the coach) remained in the locker room and observed intimate areas of (the player’s) body” to arouse or gratify himself, the complaint reads.  The coach is also alleged in the lawsuit to have spied into the locker room while female students were changing on at least two occasions.

The Bend-La Pine School District placed the coach on leave while it investigated and later fired him, the complaint continues. School District spokesman Scott Maben confirmed Thursday that the coach had been employed for the past two seasons, but was not hired for this upcoming season. The lawsuit calls for a jury to award up to $500,000 for invasion of personal privacy and infliction of emotional distress. Maben would not comment on its investigation into the alleged incident.

Bend Police said it investigated and forwarded its findings to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s office said it is still reviewing the case, but no charges have been filed.

 

The Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging all workers with income in 2024 to check their EITC eligibility.

The Department of Revenue is working with other state agencies and community partners to encourage taxpayers to learn more about this credit and find out if they’re eligible for the credit, which is celebrating its 50th year in 2025. The IRS estimates that nearly 25 percent eligible Oregon taxpayers are not claiming the EITC. One Oregon organization says that adds up to an estimated $100 million in unclaimed credits. While many are unaware of the EITC and other credits, another hurdle is the need for free help filing tax returns.  Free tax filing assistance is available at sites across the state.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit for people for making up to $66,819 in 2024. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $7,830 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon Earned Income Credit of $940 on their state tax return. Certain taxpayers without children may also be eligible for these credits. Individuals may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Oregon EIC, and other credits, even if they are not required to file. To receive the refundable credits, however, they must file a federal and state tax return.

 

An Oregon House bill would allow retailers to legally scan ID for people buying tobacco or alcohol, regardless of their age.

The legislation follows a pair of lawsuits challenging the practice, claiming universal ID checks were against existing state law and an invasion of privacy.

In September, KGW reported on the growing number of retailers who implemented universal ID checks for alcohol or tobacco products. Jonathan Polonsky, CEO of Plaid Pantry, said the policy of carding everyone eliminated any guesswork and kept the company in compliance with state and local requirements.  Oregon law prohibits the swiping of a driver’s license except under certain circumstances, including the sale of age-restricted products if there is any reasonable doubt that the person is 21. Reasonable doubt exists if the person appears to be under the age of 26, according to Oregon Administrative Rules.

House Bill 2055 is headed to the House Judiciary Committee. Even if it is adopted, the bill won’t settle the existing lawsuits over ID checks because it’s not retroactive.

 

A group of nine former women’s basketball players at Western Oregon University filed a lawsuit in Marion County Circuit Court, claiming retaliation from the school after they came forward with allegations of physical and verbal abuse from coaches last year.

Named in the suit are head women’s basketball coach Jessica Peatross; assistant coach D.J. Marlow; athletic director Randi Lydum, and the university president and dean of students. The nine players are represented by Portland lawyer Jason Kafoury and civil rights attorney Shenoa Payne.

The lawsuit seeks $28 million in damages for what players describe as bullying, verbal and physical abuse, and retaliation after they say they were kicked off the team for having aired their concerns. Ten of the 12 players from the 2023-24 team did not return, including the nine who later decided to join the lawsuit.

 

Oregon’s reading and math scores in 2024 were some of the lowest-ranked in the nation, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. 

According to a table from NAEP, Oregon had the fourth-worst average math scores in fourth graders, ahead of only Alaska, New Mexico and Puerto Rico. When it came to average reading scores in fourth graders, Oregon had the fourth-worst average scores, behind West Virginia, Alaska and New Mexico.

NAEP gave every state a score from 0 to 500 in all of its reports. For fourth grade mathematics, the average score in the U.S. among all states was 237.

Oregon performed eight scores below that, with a 229 score. This is above Alaska’s 226 and New Mexico’s 224.  The state with the highest performance in fourth grade mathematics was Massachusetts at 246. 

The national average among fourth grade reading scores was 214, with Oregon 7 points below at 207.

Oregon is only above West Virginia at 206, Alaska at 202 and New Mexico at 201. While Oregon’s scores are some of the lowest in the country comparatively, there has been a decrease in scores across the nation. 

Students are also missing more school. The report said about 31% of fourth graders reported missing three or more days of school the month before taking the assessment. This was a decrease from 35% of students missing school in 2022, but still significantly worse than 24% in 2019. 

 

Oregonians who receive supplemental federal food benefits need to be more vigilant than ever against fraud, say officials. The word is, if their monthly benefits are stolen, they’ll be gone for good.

In the past, the federal government replaced benefits lost to fraud, but that policy changed late last year. The federal government is no longer replacing stolen benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

That could mean a total loss of tens of thousands of dollars in SNAP benefits in Oregon, primarily through “skimming,” according to officials from Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. That happens when a device is inserted into a credit card reader and steals financial information when the card is run through the reader.  Only a small minority lose their benefits this way.

Oregon has nearly 447,000 households receiving SNAP benefits. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 20, nearly 200 households had their benefits stolen, losing $77,000 in food aid. The average household receives $310 in SNAP benefits, which are not meant to foot an entire food bill, but the money is often crucial for those who need it. Jake Sunderland, press secretary for the Oregon Department of Human Services, said SNAP users should take several precautions to protect themselves from fraud:

  • Only manage your account through the ebtEDGE website or mobile app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Storeor Google Play.
  • Freeze your card right away after each use and unfreeze it before you make purchases and block purchases made outside of Oregon or online through Cardholder.ebtEDGE.com.
  • Keep your PIN secret and cover the keypad when you enter it.
  • Check your account activity regularly and cancel your card immediately if you see purchases you didn’t make.

 

Attorneys for Lincoln Smith, the short-run trucker accused of seven counts of manslaughter in a deadly Interstate 5 crash, revealed their defense Tuesday as trial began in Marion County Circuit Court.

Authorities have long claimed that Smith, 54, was driving high when his Freightliner semitruck swerved onto the shoulder of I-5 just north of Albany and rammed into the back of a van carrying 11 farmworkers, killing seven of them. But defense attorney Tiffany Humphrey said Smith simply fell asleep at the wheel and was no longer feeling the effects of a chemical cocktail he’d inhaled with two unnamed hitchhikers the night before.

Smith lied repeatedly at the scene about using drugs — but then came clean from a hospital bed when a state trooper with his body camera rolling received permission to search Smith’s pockets. The trooper found a black vial containing “speed” — slang for methamphetamine — and Smith’s blood tests turned up evidence of that drug, plus cocaine, fentanyl and morphine, according to Deputy District Attorney Jessica Spooner.

 

 

The Jackson County Expo is announcing its 2025 summer concert lineup to take the stage during the Jackson County Fair this July.

According to the Expo, musical acts including Outlaw Mariachi, Jo Dee Messina, and a Taylor Swift tribute will take the stage in Central Point this summer. The Jackson County Fair runs from July 15 through July 20.

Fair tickets start at $12 and include lawn seats at the Bi-Mart Amphitheater. Meanwhile, concert ticket prices start at $25 and go on sale to the public on Tuesday. Fair admission is included with the purchase of a reserved seat.

For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit the Jackson County Expo’s website.

 

JACKSONVILLE, OR — The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announces its 2025 season, with three weeks of exciting outdoor programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon, June 12 – 28, 2025.

Under the leadership of four guest conductors, Damon Gupton (June 12-13); Chia-Hsuan Lin (June 15-18); Roberto Kalb (June 21-23); and Normal Huynh (June 26-28) the Orchestra’s 63rd season highlights a feature film alongside beloved classical favorites.

The season features seven extraordinary guest artists: pianist Clayton Stephenson performing Ravel’s Concerto in G Major; violinist William Hagen performing Korngold’s Concerto in D Major; violinist Tessa Lark and cellist Wei Yu performing Brahms Double concerto for Violin & Violoncello in A minor; vocalist Sun-Ly Pierce performing Ravel’s Shéhérazade; pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3 in D minor; and violinist Simone Porter performing Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D and Ravel’s Tzigane. The season will begin with two evenings of Jurassic Park in Concert where John Williams’ score will be performed live-to-picture by the full orchestra in one of the most beloved films of the 20th Century.

Britt Music & Arts Festival shares extraordinary live performances and arts education experiences that inspire discovery and build community, anchored at the Britt hill amphitheater. Since its grassroots beginnings in 1963, the non-profit organization has grown from a two-week chamber music festival to a summer-long series of concerts in a variety of genres, including a three-week orchestra season, and year-round education and engagement programs. For more information, visit www.brittfest.org

 

You can nominate your kids’ favorite teacher for the Oregon Education Department’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Nominations are being accepted through February 6th for teachers Pre-K through 12th grade. The winner is the face and voice of educators across the state.

Candidates first run for regional teacher of the year and then the statewide honor.

 

You’ll need a Real ID to fly domestically, starting in May of 2025, that’s unless you have a passport or enhanced driver’s license issued by several states.

The deadline is May 7, 2025, but you probably don’t want to wait until the last minute to get your Real ID. You can apply for your Real ID driver’s license or ID card through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Real IDs are marked with a star on the top of the card. Real IDs will also be needed to access certain federal facilities. Congress mandated the real IDs in 2005 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.

 

Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.

Ready to Advertise? Let us get the word out for your business!  We offer more local advertising opportunities than any one in the Klamath Basin. 
Call BasinLife.com at 541-363-7503. Or email us today at INFO@BasinLife.com with your name, business, and what you’re looking for. We’ll customize a plan fit for your budget.

You can receive Daily Radio Mentions across our 6 stations, Articles, direct link Banner Ads, floating Banner Ads on hundreds of article pages daily, Social Media Posts and also available are Email Blasts to thousands of local residents.

We can also keep you updated with the latest smart digital marketing strategies for 2025 for your business. BasinLife.com is still the best value in the Klamath Basin for advertising, as we enter into our 9th year promoting businesses in Southern Oregon.

For information or prices on plans, simply call us today at 541-363-7503 or email us at Info@BasinLife.com.  Let us keep your business top-of -mind!

Must Read

Klamath Basin News, Friday, 11/19 – USDA Forest Service Awards David Payne as National Outstanding River Manager For His Years of Service in the Basin

Brian Casey

Klamath Basin News, Thursday, Nov. 17 – KF Police and SWAT Team Arrest Man on 14 Charges After Standoff

Brian Casey

Henley Expands Robotics to Elementary and Middle School Students

Christina Conway