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.
Monday, February 17, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Today, President’s Day (National Holiday)
A chance of rain and snow showers before 4pm. Snow level 5000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Overnight, cloudy with a low around 25 degrees.Â
See Road Camera Views around the Klamath Basin:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at  Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
Fatal Crash in Lake County, Ore – On Friday, February 14, 2025, Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 140, near milepost 55, in Lake County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Nissan Sentra, operated by Laura Anne Keys (47) of Grants Pass, left the roadway for unknown reasons and rolled down a steep embankment coming to rest on its top.
The operator (Keys) was declared deceased at the scene.
The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Lake County Search and Rescue and ODOT.
As snow fell across Oregon all of last week, Crater Lake National Park saw its highest snow depth so far this winter.
On Friday, Matt Hoffman, chief meteorologist with KDRV-TV in Medford, wrote on Facebook that Crater Lake’s snow depth “now stands at a new max for the season at 141 inches. That’s well over 11 feet. The snow depth average for today is 84 inches.”
Crater Lake National Park has several live cameras that give a glimpse of conditions in the area, but the camera at the park’s Steel Information Center showed nothing but a view blocked by piled snow.Â
This is not the time to attempt to drive to Crater Lake. The road to Rim Village, home to Crater Lake Lodge and the Sinnott Memorial viewpoint, is closed due to the winter storm, so it’s not possible to access a lake view by car. A recording at the park’s headquarters gives no estimated time for the road reopening. Currently, the only way to reach Rim Village is by foot via the Raven Trail, which is described as a “semi-strenuous” trail that usually takes two hours roundtrip and requires snow shoes or cross country skis.
The Rim Village cafe and gift shop are also closed, so there’s no food, drink or snowshoe rentals available at the park. And while this is the biggest snowfall of the season, it’s not a record snowfall for the park.
The greatest cumulative snowfall for one season was 879 inches (73 feet) the winter of 1932-33. The greatest depth on the ground at one time was 258 inches (21½ ) the winter of 1983.
Also at the park, Kevin Heatley, who recently assumed duties as superintendent at Crater Lake National Park, brings a mix of work experience, both in the private sector and with various state and federal government agencies.
Most recently, Heatley was deputy chief of the Bureau of Land Management’s NEPA (National Environmental Protection Agency) Planning and Decision Support Division. Much of his work was done remotely.
He has lived in Klamath Falls since 2020 and before that lived in Grants Pass. Heatley worked for the BLM on both sides of the Cascades Range as Medford District assistant field manager and as the Klamath Falls Office field manager.
Heatley also has an extensive history in the private sector. Born in Ohio, he earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in environmental science, with a focus on pollution control and environmental pollution, from Penn State University. Much of his career in the private sector involved restoration ecology and sustainability. During those years he lived and worked in many states, with jobs that included restoration projects in the Everglades and Louisiana. In addition, Heatley has also worked as a supervisory natural resource manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in New Mexico and Ohio, and as director of conservation for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
He hopes his abilities in planning and coordinating with others will be used at Crater Lake.
A Klamath Falls resident was arrested in Modoc County last week on burglary and vandalism charges.
Teddy Kie Khanchalern, 32, was taken into custody after allegedly entering a residence owned by a man from Lookout last Sunday.
The owner reported spotting Khanchalern entering the home, following him once the suspect fled. A news release from Modoc County said the homeowner kept eyes on the Klamath Falls man as he fled north on County Road 91.
Khanchalern was arrested and found to be in possession of property that was “believed to have come from the uninhabited residence.” He was taken into custody without incident.Â
National crafts retailer JOANN Fabrics expects to close an estimated 500 stores across the country as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, according to media reports.
Stores in all 50 states will be closing with California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington among the states expected to be the heaviest hit with closures. The closures are expected to begin in the coming months. In Oregon, 15 store are expected to close, according to The Hill.Â
The list includes the JOANN store here in Klamath Falls in the Jefferson Square.
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United Way of the Klamath Basin has issued an urgent Request for Assistance for the “Inclement Weather Disaster 2025.”
The recent snowstorm in the Klamath Basin and surrounding areas has been officially declared an emergency by Klamath County and they are requesting our community’s help.
The following supplies are needed in the Klamath Basin: New and gently used: Winter hats & gloves, Coats & Blankets, Socks, Hand warmers, Flashlights & batteries, Non-perishable Pet food, Toiletries, Personal Hygiene items, Toilet paper & Paper towels, and Ice Melt.
Donations may be taken to:Â First Interstate Bank, 421 S. 7th St, Klamath Falls, or United Way of the Klamath Basin, 136 N 3rd Street, Klamath Falls. For more information, call the United Way of the Klamath Basin 541-882-5558.
PUBLIC HEARINGS Hosted by the City of Chiloquin
The first public hearing is regarding proposed amendments to the Chiloquin Community Development Code, which is intended to help facilitate the construction of prefabricated, modular, and manufactured housing products.
The proposed Code modifications remove local barriers to permitting and siting housing constructed of components manufactured off-site, regardless of construction materials. This meeting is this Thursday, February 20, at the Chiloquin Community Center starting at 4:30 pm. The meeting will also be available online using Teams.
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The second public hearing will be on Thursday, March 6, at the Chiloquin Community Center starting at 4:30 pm. This hearing will review the draft of the new Chiloquin Parks Plan before the City Council moves to adopt the plan.
Copies of the draft plan will be available at the meeting and are also available on the city’s website at https://www.cityofchiloquin.org/community/page/parks-master-plan. This meeting will also be available online using Teams.
The meeting link for this meeting is https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZTM2MDMxMjctZjk0Ni00MmI0LWE3NTAtNmY5YWM3MGExMTli%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22494dee7c-93fb-4005-9754-19a144535266%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2277043f00-67bc-4842-87dd-c88805699e8f%22%7d.
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Henley High School graduate Racyne Parker asks, “Will You Go With Me?” as her titled debut album hits streaming services Feb. 25th.
Described as a heartfelt blend of country, folk-rock and Americana, the album captures the spirit of small-town grit and the bittersweet pursuit of new beginnings brought to life by guitars, swelling pedal steel, dynamic bass, drums and Parker’s ear-catching vocals. The music is dynamic, lyrically driven and acts almost like a photograph capturing Parker’s heartache of loss, the joy of love and the excitement of hitting the road, according to her publicist Emma Mackintosh.Â
Born and raised in Klamath Falls, the singer-songwriter said she got her start in music after moving back to the area after graduating college. Parker attributes the Klamath Folk Alliance (currently operating under the title Klamath Music) and the Klamath Blues Society as being huge inspirations for her and said they showed massive support in her early days of music.Â
In June 2021, the first year Klamath Music started hosting the annual Klamath Music Festival at the Ross Ragland Theater, Parker headlined the event and said it is one she will never forget. She said she regards it as a career highlight. Klamath Music’s executive director, Nick Depew, shared the organization’s excitement for her debut album and said Klamath Music is proud to have helped Parker in her development.
Currently based out of Seattle, Parker’s first album acts as a score for her transition from small-town to urban life and features 11 tracks, all written by Parker.
National figure skating champions are coming to Klamath Falls in March to appear in “Celebration On Ice,” Klamath Ice Sports’ 22nd annual figure skating spectacular, which will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at the Bill Collier Ice Arena.
Keegan Messing, the two-time Canadian men’s champion and a fan favorite, will headline the ice show, along with Ashley Cain, two-time U.S. pairs champion, and Mariah Bell, U.S. women’s champion. Emcee for the event will be Max Aaron, U.S. men’s champion. Also appearing will be Leah Neset and Artem Markelov, world and U.S. junior ice dance champions, and Ellie Korytek and Timothy Chapman, U.S. junior pair champions. The show will be directed and choreographed by Autumn Morin.
Other featured skaters include Liam Kapeikis, Michael Xie and Samuel Mindra, each one a senior men’s competitor. The three men finished in the top 10 at the recent 2025 U.S. nationals. Various figure skaters from the Portland area will also be featured in the show. In addition to the single skaters, Rose City Synchronicity, the only adult synchronized skating team in Oregon, along with the Klamath Kids and Klamath Youth Hockey, two groups of young local skaters who train at the Bill Collier Ice Arena, will appear in the show.
Tickets for Klamath Ice Sports’ “CELEBRATION ON ICE” are currently available online at www.klamathicesports.org. Seating location choices include reserved on-ice seating, reserved hockey box seating, reserved heated bleacher seating, reserved bistro chair seating, and general admission.
Pet of the Week from Klamath Animal Shelter
This week’s pet looking for a good home 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. Â
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Around the State of Oregon
Providence Health said on Friday that 43 percent of nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) at its Medford medical center have returned to work.
This report comes after the healthcare system sent an email to nurses on strike telling them they would lose their healthcare at the end of the month. “We continue to work closely with federal mediators on next steps in the bargaining process,” Providence said in a statement.
Providence sent an email on Thursday to nurses on strike saying their healthcare will expire by Feb. 28. “We sent them our latest offer and unilaterally opened up bargaining,” Peter Starzynski with ONA told KDRV NewsWatch 12 on Friday.
“Their only response was to strip healthcare away from nurses and children.” Medford nurses had previously voted against a proposed tentative agreement with Providence on Feb. 8. Hospitalists and palliative care physicians at Providence St. Vincent in Portland approved their tentative agreement with Providence.
LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER/COACH ARRESTED FOR SEX ABUSE OF STUDENT
ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested a local teacher today after an investigation into sex abuse of a former student.
The suspect, Jesse Rex Orndoff, 30, of Selma, Ore., is charged with 10 counts each of second-degree sex abuse, third-degree rape, and third-degree sodomy. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.Â
On Thursday, February 13th, a woman reported she was the victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by her teacher and coach, Orndoff, while she was a student and he was employed at the Rogue River Junior Senior High School.Â
The victim is no longer a student at the school. The sexual abuse occurred over the span of several years, while the victim was between 15 to 17 years old. Although Orndoff no longer works at the Rogue River Middle-High School, he was most recently employed with the Rogue Christian Academy in Grants Pass. Both schools are cooperating with the investigation.
Investigators believe Orndoff may have additional victims. If anyone has information related to this case, please contact Detective David Seese at the JCSO Tip Line (541) 774-8333. This case remains open and ongoing with investigators following additional leads. There is no further information available for release at this time.Â
Two people are behind bars in connection to an alleged attempted drug deal in Roseburg last week.
 According to the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT), detectives got a tip that 30-year-old Tyler Michael Jordan of Roseburg would be near NE Cedar Street Thursday evening with the intent to sell methamphetamine. Officers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted by initiating a traffic stop on the vehicle Jordan was in. DINT says Jordan was a passenger in the vehicle, which was driven by 46-year-old Dawn Marie Boyce of Coos Bay.Â
Subsequently, police say Jordan was in possession of roughly 18.9 grams of suspected meth, while Boyce had approximately 9.7 grams. Both were arrested. Jordan and Boyce are in the Douglas County Jail facing multiple drug-related charges.
Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature have appointed a Republican to investigate accountability in the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Senator Bruce Starr will lead the development of recommendations for an accountability proposal that will be a central component of the 2025 Transportation Package. Starr says it’s critical for ODOT to get back to its core mission of road safety and freight transportation. House Speaker Julie Fahey says accountability plays a key role along with a stable funding structure.
The state of Oregon is joining Washington, California and ten other states in filing a lawsuit challenging the authority of Elon Musk. Â
Apparently Oregon doesn’t want to see billions of dollars cut that are being found as fraud, abuse and wasteful spending being done by ranks deep within the government that have been going on for decades.
The group lawsuit claims the executive authority given to Musk is unconstitutional, calling it a power grab. Â It says President Trump exceeded his authority and violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution by creating a federal department without Congressional approval. Â They’re requesting an injunction barring Musk from issuing orders to anyone outside of the Department of Government Efficiency. Stay tuned.
The Oregon Immunization Group within the Oregon Health Authority is reminding families to get student immunizations updated by Wednesday, Feb. 19.
A list of required vaccinations by grade level can be found on the OHA’s website. State law says all children in Oregon public schools, private schools, preschools, Head Start programs and child care facilities must submit documents showing they are up-to-date on required vaccinations. The school or care center can send a child home if they don’t have the required immunization by Feb. 19.
Families looking to get their children vaccinated can contact their local health department, dial 211 over the phone or visit the 211 information website.
Medford School District officials say North Medford High School’s revered gymnasium will have to be demolished and rebuilt after the roof collapsed last Tuesday.
The weight of accumulated snow atop the gym after last week’s heavy snowfall throughout Southern Oregon is considered a key factor in Tuesday’s catastrophic collapse, school officials have said. There were no injuries, and students were evacuated Tuesday and then spent Wednesday at home. Classes resumed Thursday, with deeper perimeter fencing installed around the heavily damaged gym to provide an extended safety buffer.
District staff and outside contractors are currently focused on demolition of the gym to stabilize the structure before a full engineering assessment can be safely conducted. After finishing demolition, district staff anticipate an engineering assessment to come in roughly a week or two with more details on the cause of the roof collapse, as well as necessary work to begin rebuilding the venerated gym, which opened in the mid-’60s. There is no cost estimate for the damage at this time.
According to the school district, multiple factors could’ve contributed to the collapse, but an estimated 700,000 pounds of snow accumulated on the roof after last week’s snowstorm, compromising the structure, Havniear said in interviews with local media outlets starting this past weekend. District officials said a more than $3 million seismic retrofit effort at the gym over the summer, which incorporated horizontal reinforcements on exterior walls, likely prevented the walls from collapsing with the roof.
The Jackson County Expo has announced the 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.
Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce the first installment of concerts for the 2025 summer season.
The first of three official season announcements, this extensive group of shows features a wide array of musical artists, including first-time-to-Britt indie alt-rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise, singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, country artists Brothers Osborne, and folk/indie it-band Waxahatchee.
Britt will also be welcoming back legendary artists like Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gregory Alan Isakov, Buena Vista Orchestra, The California Honeydrops, Andy Grammer and many more.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show will also be returning to the Britt main stage in 2025 to deliver an unforgettable tribute to Pink Floyd, combining mind-blowing visuals and stunning soundscapes for a mesmerizing live performance.
President & CEO Abby McKee commented, “It’s always thrilling to share the news of the upcoming season with our community, and this year’s season feels especially exciting. We have an incredible mix of genres coming through town! With superstar legacy acts, longtime fan favorites, and extraordinary newcomers, I think our patrons have some amazing shows to choose from, and I suspect we’ll be seeing folks out on the hill several times this summer! And don’t forget, two more announcements are still to come.”
With this announcement, there will be a Member pre-sale before tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 28.Â
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
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You’ll need a Real ID to fly domestically, starting in May of this year, 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.
Wildlife Safari, south of Roseburg has a new baby giraffe named Watson who from Fort Worth, Texas.
Giraffes are the tallest land animals on earth, yet populations are declining in the wild, due to habitat loss and poaching.
Wildlife Safari says Watson’s arrival will allow visitors to learn more about these “gentle giants,” and their importance in the wild.
Many Oregonians had a lot riding on the recent Super Bowl match between Philadelphia and Kansas City, with nearly half a million bets placed through the state lottery on the winner, the team with the first touchdown and even the color of players’ Gatorade.
According to the Oregon Lottery, Oregonians placed more than 456,000 bets through its DraftKings Sportsbook for the big game last weekend – a record for a single sporting event — generating more than $2.8 million in state revenue. Wagers totaled about $8 million, and the average bet was around $18.
The state introduced online sports betting in 2019. Players had more than 1,100 wagers to choose from that didn’t involve the final outcome of the game, including who would win the coin toss and who would take home MVP. On the coin toss, the state lottery said about 54% of 9,000 guessed correctly that Kansas City would win to start the game.
And as for the color of the Gatorade, just 11% of nearly 9,000 predicted correctly that it would be yellow.
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