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.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 5-8 mph. Overnight, mostly clear, with a low around 35.
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
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is participating in a monthlong campaign called “Put the Phone Away or Pay”.
The nationwide enforcement initiative takes place throughout April in recognition of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving encompasses any activity that diverts your focus from operating a vehicle. This includes actions such as talking or texting on your phone, as well as eating or drinking. Texting while driving is particularly concerning, as it diverts your gaze from the road for five seconds.
At a speed of 55 miles per hour, this is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes shut. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2022, 3,308 individuals lost their lives, and approximately 289,310 were injured in traffic accidents involving distracted drivers. However, due to limitations in data collection, these figures are likely underreported.
In Oregon, violating distracted driving laws (O.R.S. 811.507) can result in significant penalties: – A first-offense citation for distracted driving is classified as a Class B violation, carrying a presumptive fine of $260, which may escalate to $2,000 if the offense leads to a crash. – A second-offense citation is categorized as a Class A violation, with a presumptive fine of $435, potentially increasing to $2,000. – A third-offense citation is treated as a Class B misdemeanor, resulting in fines ranging from $2,000 to $2,500 and the possibility of up to six months in jail.
Safe driving requires your complete attention to the task at hand. As part of this initiative, drivers can expect heightened law enforcement presence, with deputies actively stopping and ticketing those who are caught texting while driving.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will conduct town halls on Friday, April 25th in Klamath and Lake counties.
Wyden is scheduled to visit the Lakeview High School cafeteria, located at 906 S. 3rd St., at 11 a.m. on April 25, followed by an appearance at 4 p.m. here at the Danny Miles Court on the Oregon Tech campus in Klamath Falls.
The news release from Wyden indicates that while these venues are the largest available for that day, space may still be limited. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the town halls for attendees. For security purposes, backpacks and large bags will not be permitted.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
This event provides an excellent opportunity to declutter your medicine cabinet by disposing of expired or unused medications safely. You can visit any Sky Lakes pharmacy to utilize our accessible blue medication disposal kiosks. If you are unable to attend during the event, you can still drop off your medications at the pharmacy using the blue boxes at your convenience.
Together, we can ensure the safety of our homes and communities.
With this weekend’s Give Back Day this Saturday, the Klamath County Hispanic Health Committee is asking you to please donate any long sleeve shirts for farm workers in the area.
Please bring them to 2210 N Eldorado throughout the week or on Saturday from 9-1pm – Thank you.
Save the date! Reminders from Klamath County Public Health and Healthy Klamath
Give Back Day Saturday (April 26)
Community Health Fair with free medical screenings (May 10)
Graduation Sensation (May 29)
The Joint Ways and Means Committee of the Oregon Legislature is scheduled to convene at Klamath Community College on Friday, April 25th from 5 to 7 p.m. in the commons area of Building 4.
Comprising 23 members, the committee is dedicated to overseeing state budget expenditures and will receive testimonies from local officials, students, and community members.
Dr. Roberto Gutierrez, President of KCC, along with other representatives from the college, will present information regarding funding for a new School of Cosmetology facility. Additionally, Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot and Donalda Dodson, CEO of the Oregon Child Development Coalition, will address plans for a proposed Childcare Learning Center on the campus.
College students are gearing up to present their innovative inventions and business ideas next week at Oregon Tech and Klamath Community College during their annual entrepreneurial competitions.
At KCC’s annual Badger Venture Competition, five teams will compete against each other to deliver their most compelling business pitches. The participating teams have the chance to create a new concept, prototype, or service, or to enhance an existing business model.
According to a statement from KCC, “It was designed to encourage KCC students to consider how a concept, prototype, or service might address a user-centered problem.” The proposed concepts must be relevant for use, creation, or implementation within the Klamath Basin.
The presentations are open to the public and will commence at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, in KCC’s Building 7, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The winners will receive funding for their ventures and the opportunity to advance to the state-level InventOR Collegiate semifinals.
Simultaneously, Oregon Tech will host its 10th annual Catalyze Klamath next week, with presentations scheduled for Thursday, April 24. This event has motivated students to embark on business ventures both locally and internationally, including the well-known coffee shop and venue, Brevada Brewhouse.
Student teams collaborated last fall and are now finalizing their business and innovation presentations. A panel of judges will evaluate the presentations to determine which team or teams will receive start-up funding and the opportunity to compete in the InventOR semifinals. The public is welcome to attend. Catalyze Klamath will take place at Oregon Tech’s College Union auditorium.
The Street Division of Klamath Falls will be performing maintenance activities this week, which will include patch paving and the striping of bike lanes.
From now until Thursday, April 24, the Street Division will be grinding and paving patch sections along Klamath Avenue, starting at 2nd Street and moving eastward to 11th Street.
Drivers should anticipate intermittent lane closures, traffic management, and potential delays in the vicinity during working hours.
Additionally, the City’s Paint Crew will be updating and repainting the bike lane on Oregon Avenue from Tuesday, April 22, to Friday, April 25. This work may necessitate temporary lane modifications.
The City encourages motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to exercise caution, adhere to posted signage, and comply with all traffic control measures to ensure the safety of both workers and the public. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to enhance our streets and infrastructure.
Shasta Way, Avalon Street Traffic Control
The City of Klamath Falls road department reminds you that intermittently for the next three months, the Shasta Way / Avalon Street intersection and Avalon Street north of Shasta Way will be subject to lane closures.
This section of Avalon Street will be closed to through traffic, allowing only businesses and residents who reside on Avalon Street to have access. Flaggers and the appropriate signs will be in place to control traffic and maximize safety. These closures will occur from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day. Motorists are encouraged to avoid this area, if possible, to minimize congestion. Any questions can be directed to Dan Hendrickson, at 858-568-0123 or dhendrickson@ewbinc.com.
KWUA: “MIXED REACTION” TO 2025 IRRIGATION WATER ANNOUNCEMENT
Today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) confirmed that 2025 water supplies will be sufficient to meet the anticipated demand for irrigation this year.
“It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Reclamation is saying this,” said Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) President Scott Seus, who farms in the Tulelake area. “With the wet winter weather, good starting soil moisture, and abundant snowpack, there should be no doubt that there will be adequate irrigation water in 2025.”
At the same time, according to Mr. Seus, “Reclamation is using rules for distributing water that are completely unrealistic and will be devastating to farms in all but a very wet year like this one. We have a unique opportunity to restart the historic ‘flow-through’ of water that served the needs of our ecosystem and agriculture, given the ample water that is slowly releasing from our current 182% of normal snowpack. We can start to reverse the damage to our landscape that has been compromised by decades of poor water management policy.”
KWUA Executive Director Elizabeth Nielsen stated that Reclamation is applying a water allocation plan developed in the final months of 2024. “Reclamation probably feels like its hands are tied right now. But we will not let a good year bail out a terrible plan.”
KWUA is strongly urging that Reclamation go through the necessary processes to modify the current rules, which are controlled by ESA Biological Opinions. “We made this point in a dozen meetings in Washington, D.C. earlier this month,” said Mrs. Nielsen. “We believe the Administration knows there are serious problems that need to be fixed and is committed to fixes that are durable.”
Mr. Seus echoed this conclusion. “I am very hopeful that better rules, that respect the needs of agriculture, the basin ecosystem and our communities are on the horizon.”
This week’s Pet For Adoption at Klamath Animal Shelter is a dog named ” Shorty “
Meet Shorty! Shorty is a male of mix breed, around 4 month old. Shorty is black and tan and weighs around 12 pounds.
He is a very happy and high energy young dog ready to liven up your life.
Around the State of Oregon
Umpqua Community College officials have confirmed that softball player Kiley Jones and coach Jami Strinz were the two individuals who lost their lives in a collision on Friday night while the team was returning to the Roseburg campus after a game.
According to the Oregon State Police, an oncoming vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with the team bus, which was being driven by Strinz.
Kiley Jones, 19, was a freshman and played first base, hailing from Nampa, Idaho. Jami Strinz, 46, resided in Roseburg and not only coached the softball team but also led the college’s volleyball program, earning recognition within Oregon’s collegiate softball community, as noted on the college’s website.
In addition to the fatalities, eight other individuals associated with the team were on the bus and sustained injuries ranging from moderate to serious, as reported by state police. Multiple students and staff members are currently hospitalized in Eugene and Portland following the incident, as announced by the college’s president, Rachel Pokrandt, on Saturday afternoon.
This season marks the inaugural year for Umpqua Community College’s softball program, and the team was returning from a successful double-header against Gray’s Harbor College, which took place at Southwest Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.
The journey back to Roseburg spans 85 miles along the winding Oregon Route 42. Preliminary investigations suggest that Johnathan James Dowdy, 32, from Coos Bay, was driving westbound in his Chevrolet Silverado when he crossed the centerline, resulting in a head-on collision with the team bus, a Chevrolet Express.
The Oregon State Police indicated that impaired driving is likely a contributing factor to the crash.
Pedestrian Fatal Near Grants Pass
On Tuesday, Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Highway 199, near milepost 26, in Josephine County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a pedestrian, Kale Phillip Luke (31) of Grants Pass, was reportedly walking in the roadway when he was struck by a southbound Ford Escape, operated by Andrew Martin Vendrick (39) of Santa Rosa (CA).
The pedestrian (Kale) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Ford (Vendrick) was reportedly uninjured.
The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by Illinois Valley Fire and ODOT.
Oregon’s minimum wage is set to rise by 2.4 percent on July 1st, reflecting changes in the Consumer Price Index over the previous year.
The state has established three different minimum wage rates. In the Portland area, the wage will be adjusted to $16.30 per hour, while the Standard rate will increase to $15.05, and the Non-Urban rate will rise to $14.05.
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 4.6% in March
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.6% in March and 4.5% in February, after rising gradually over the past year from 4.1% in March 2024. Oregon’s 4.6% unemployment rate was the highest since August 2021, when the rate was 4.7%, and slightly higher than during the three years prior to the COVID recession that started in 2020. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in March and 4.1% in February.
In March, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 7,300 jobs, following a revised gain of 1,600 jobs in February. March’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+4,600 jobs); professional and business services (+1,000); other services (+800); and wholesale trade (+700). None of the other major industries had a job change of more than 400 jobs.
The return of workers who were on strike at a major health care provider contributed to the one-month gain of 4,600 jobs in health care and social assistance during March. This industry has been leading private-sector job growth in Oregon over the past few years. It added 18,400 jobs, or 6.2%, in the 12 months through March, continuing a three-year streak of rapid growth.
Professional and business services added jobs in each of the first three months of the year, with gains totaling 4,500 jobs in that time. This reversed a generally declining trend in the industry during the prior two years when it shed 5,400 jobs during the 24 months ending December 2024.
Other services – an industry which includes religious organizations, membership associations, personal services, laundry services, and repair and maintenance services – has expanded steadily for more than four years. It employed 69,300 in March and is now well above its pre-pandemic high of 65,700 jobs in January 2020.
The Oregon House has approved legislation mandating that all school districts within the state establish policies regarding cell phone usage by students in class.
School boards will be required to formulate guidelines for student cell phone use, which will include penalties for violations of these policies. While some Republicans expressed concerns about imposing further regulations on school boards, the bill received bipartisan backing as it moved forward to the Senate.
A bipartisan coalition of Oregon legislators has declared that enough is enough regarding the overwhelming number of bills introduced this session.
On Wednesday, they proposed a measure that would restrict each lawmaker to a maximum of 25 bills per session. House Bill 2006 represents the Legislature’s effort to manage the unprecedented volume of bills filed this session, which exceeds 3,500 and marks the highest total in at least 25 years. This influx has overwhelmed staff, including state attorneys responsible for reviewing and drafting each bill, as well as analysts tasked with preparing reports on the potential impacts of these proposals on existing Oregon law.
The sheer volume has also complicated the ability of the public to monitor proposed legislation, resulting in crowded public hearings where Oregonians may have as little as 90 seconds to present their testimonies.
Additionally, legislators find themselves with reduced time to debate and consider bills and possible amendments.
Two San Antonio, Texas men were sentenced to federal prison and another San Antonio man pleaded guilty last Wednesday in Medford’s Federal Court Buliding for conspiring to travel from Texas to Southern Oregon to commit an armed robbery while disguised as agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Nevin Cuevas Morales, 23, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release, and Michael Rey Acuna, 23, was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release. The sum of restitution they each must pay to victims will be determined at a later date.
Juan Carlos Conchas, 23, pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere with commerce by robbery and conspiring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute. Conchas faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine and four years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on July 17, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai.
According to court documents, on March 12, 2022, deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rural address in Josephine County, Oregon after receiving reports of an armed robbery in progress. The deputies found a residence with a closed driveway gate and two empty vehicles with Texas license plates in the driveway with their doors open. Deputies saw several people running toward the back of the property and found victims inside the house. The victims reported that armed individuals dressed in what appeared to be DEA attire and wearing body armor arrived at the property and used zip ties and duct tape to restrain several of them.
The deputies searched the property and found large plastic totes containing packaged marijuana in the buildings and vehicles. They also found body armor, firearms, ammunition, shell casings, and badges that resembled those carried by DEA agents along the path that Morales, Acuna, Conchas and others used to flee the property.
Investigators learned that in late February 2022, the group traveled from San Antonio to Southern Oregon to steal over 200 pounds of marijuana and recovered photographs taken by the group in which they posed with firearms while dressed as DEA agents.
On October 6, 2022, Morales and Acuna were located and arrested in San Antonio. One week later, on October 13, 2022, Conchas was also arrested in San Antonio.
On September 1, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Morales, Acuna, Conchas and co-conspirators with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On February 2, 2024, Morales pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On November 6, 2024, Acuna pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere with commerce by robbery and conspiring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.
In addition, three co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to felony charges stemming from their roles in the conspiracy. Two have been sentenced to federal prison and the third is awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is being prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
The Bureau of Land Management is reopening the Cascade Ramp at Hyatt Lake, which is currently at 84% capacity—the highest it has been in several years.
Recently, the lake has been stocked with sportfish, and the BLM indicates that conditions are ideal for springtime recreational activities. Although the campgrounds are still closed and services are limited, day-use access is permitted.
Hyatt Lake, situated approximately 20 miles east of Ashland at an elevation of 5,200 feet, is part of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. This 745-acre recreational area provides various activities, including hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, and boating. The lake operates as a no-wake zone with a speed limit of 10 mph, creating a serene environment for both anglers and paddlers.
Additionally, the area connects to the Pacific Crest Trail and attracts visitors for winter sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when conditions permit. Day-use access is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with permits obtainable at self-service pay stations located at the main campground entrance and Wildcat Campground.
For further details, please visit the BLM’s Hyatt Lake webpage.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has distributed more than $27.7 million in timber revenue payments to 18 western Oregon counties. The payments are supported by the timber harvested from public lands and support local services, including emergency response and education.
“The BLM is working to protect our national and economic security, as directed in President Trump’s order, by immediately expanding American timber production,” said BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Barry Bushue. “We manage more than 2.4 million acres of some of the world’s most productive forests in western Oregon, and are committed to supplying a reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply of timber, while providing jobs and other support to local communities through timber production.”
The BLM manages this area, referred to as O&C and CBWR lands, as well as the funds generated from timber harvests in accordance with two laws. The Oregon and California Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant Lands Grant Act of 1937 directs revenue from O&C Lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties. The Coos Bay Wagon Road Act of 1939 directs revenue from CBWR Lands be paid in-lieu of tax payments to Coos and Douglas counties.
This funding provides local communities with the means to construct new county buildings; develop fairgrounds and museums; support libraries, schools, and jails; and build flood-control dams and reservoirs. Beyond these direct payments to counties, the BLM timber program supports approximately 2,000 local jobs and generates more than $1 billion for local economies.
BLM forestry and timber production supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, improves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases the cost of energy production. Local communities rely on jobs that come from BLM-managed forests, and timber from public land feeds local industry.
Total payments by county:
|
County |
Payment |
|
Benton |
$771,175.06 |
|
Clackamas |
$1,523,139.35 |
|
Columbia |
$565,345.42 |
|
Coos |
$1,925,283.64 |
|
Curry |
$1,001,704.26 |
|
Douglas |
$6,909,653.72 |
|
Jackson |
$4,300,467.32 |
|
Josephine |
$3,315,229.44 |
|
Klamath |
$642,188.48 |
|
Lane |
$4,190,691.51 |
|
Lincoln |
$98,798.23 |
|
Linn |
$724,520.34 |
|
Marion |
$400,681.71 |
|
Multnomah |
$299,139.08 |
|
Polk |
$592,789.37 |
|
Tillamook |
$153,686.13 |
|
Washington |
$172,896.90 |
|
Yamhill |
$197,596.45 |
|
TOTAL |
$27,784,986.41 |
The Oregon Health Authority is set to begin issuing alerts regarding dogs that have fallen ill or died after consuming water from rivers or lakes potentially contaminated with toxic algae blooms.
Veterinarians frequently report cases of canine illnesses associated with water, although the specific cause is not always immediately identifiable. Testing for the presence of toxic algae can take up to two weeks.
These notifications regarding affected dogs aim to provide earlier warnings about the risks posed by potentially hazardous toxic algae blooms.
The upcoming months may bring warmer and drier conditions. The Climate Prediction Center has released a forecast indicating that from May to July, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and eastern California are likely to experience temperatures above the seasonal average.
Additionally, precipitation levels in these areas are anticipated to be below the norm. The influences of El Niño and La Niña are expected to remain neutral during this period.
Yegishe Nazaryan, the former proprietor of the Corvallis Cannabis Club, received a nearly three-year federal prison sentence last week for his involvement in a bank fraud scheme exceeding $2.5 million, which financed his state-licensed marijuana retail operation and two unauthorized cultivation sites.
U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane expressed difficulty in comprehending the motivations behind Nazaryan’s significant fraudulent activities, pointing out that he did not have a history of drug addiction, mental health issues, or a tumultuous upbringing. Rather, he had trained as a veterinarian in Armenia before relocating to the United States.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin W. Bruce, Nazaryan and his associates opened more than 100 credit cards as part of the conspiracy, leading to bank losses surpassing $2.5 million.
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Romanian national residing in Garden Grove, California, was sentenced to federal prison today for stealing more than $176,000 by installing Automated Teller Machine (ATM) skimming devices throughout Oregon and Maine.
Florin George Ionita, 45, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $176,922 in restitution to his victims.
According to court documents, between June and August 2023, Ionita installed skimming devices on ATMs and used the devices to steal account information and Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) from customers who conducted transactions at the ATMs. Ionita used the stolen information to produce counterfeit debit cards and withdraw cash from victims’ accounts. Over the course of his scheme, Ionita accessed hundreds of bank accounts and stole more than $176,000 from victims in Oregon and Maine.
On August 22, 2023, the Medford Police Department (MPD) received a report of a masked individual installing a skimming device. Investigators received photos of the man and distributed a law enforcement bulletin to identify the unknown individual. The following day, investigators from Kennebunk Police Department in Kennebunk, Maine, identified Ionita and informed MPD investigators of their investigation of Ionita installing skimming devices in Maine. Investigators learned that due to his immigration status, Ionita was required to wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) monitor which confirmed his location at several banks where the ATM skimming devices were installed.
On November 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a nine-count indictment charging Ionita with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
On March 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in the District of Maine returned a fifteen-count indictment charging Ionita with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
On December 6, 2024, Ionita pleaded guilty to one count each of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for his crimes in Oregon, and one count each of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for his crimes in Maine.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force, the Medford Police Department Criminal Investigative Division, the Kennebunk Police Department, and the Freeport Police Department. It is being prosecuted by John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
BLM Reopens Rogue River Trail
Medford, Oregon – The Bureau of Land Management is re-opening the Rogue River National Recreation Trail after crews created a path around a large landslide.
Wildland firefighters from BLM’s Veteran Crew 10, along with BLM recreation staff, were able to clear the landslide and re-route the trail around a large boulder. The crews also removed several downed trees and addressed other issues along the first few miles of the trail.
The trail is rated as difficult due to the remote nature of the trail, tall cliffs, the potential for downed trees, landslides and high water in creeks.
Hikers may still encounter smaller landslides, unstable footing, erosion of trail tread, and other storm-related impacts along the trail. If you find damage on BLM lands, please report it to the Medford District Office at 541-618-2200.
“The Rogue River Trail is beautiful this time of year and we worked hard to open it as quickly as possible,” said Justin Kelly, Grants Pass Field Manager. “Please watch out for additional hazards as you enjoy your public lands.”
The Rogue River National Recreation Trail traverses the wild section of the Lower Rogue National Wild and Scenic River along its entire length. Stretching 40 miles between Grave Creek and Big Bend, the trail offers some of southwestern Oregon’s most amazing landscapes and rewarding hiking experiences. Majestic steep canyon walls, cascading waterfalls, and glistening streams are just a glimpse of the magnificent scenery in the Wild Rogue Canyon.
Barry Manilow has revealed his Last Concert tour, which now includes Portland among its destinations.
The tour will kick off in Spokane on July 11th, with a performance scheduled in Portland at the Moda Center on July 16th. Manilow is a celebrated artist, having received Grammy, Tony, and Emmy awards. Tickets are currently available for purchase.
After recent storms and flooding across Oregon, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) are sharing important safety tips for cleaning up disaster debris.
Following these guidelines can help protect your health, your neighbors, and the environment. Cleaning up after a disaster can be overwhelming. Whether you’re dealing with fallen trees, damaged furniture, or household hazardous materials, knowing how to safely handle debris is critical for your safety and your community’s recovery.
Stay Safe During Cleanup
- Wear protective gear like waterproof gloves, eye protection, boots, and a N95 or respirator mask (especially if you’re handling mold, dusty materials or potentially hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead).
- Floodwaters in Harney County were contaminated with coli and Coliform.Avoid direct contact with debris that was in floodwater and always wear gloves and wash your hands often with hot water and soap to prevent the spread of illness.
Start With Rotten Waste
- Remove spoiled food, household garbage, and dead animals first.
- Keep different types of debris separated if possible—this helps with proper disposal and recycling.
- Remember, SNAP benefits lost or destroyed as a result of March flooding can be replaced. You have until April 15, 2025, to request replacement.
- Information in Englishand Spanish
Be Cautious Around Hazardous Materials
- If you find chemicals, fuel containers, paint cans, or anything that could be toxic, set them aside safely and contact DEQ or your county’s hazardous waste team for help.
- If a container is leaking or the contents are unknown, call the Oregon Emergency Response Systemat 800-452-0311 right away.
Watch Out for Asbestos
- Some older homes or buildings may contain asbestos in insulation, flooring, or siding. If you’re not sure, contact a licensed asbestos contractor or a DEQ expert before removing materials.
- Homes or buildings built before 2004 may contain asbestos in insulation, flooring, or siding, and require an asbestos survey prior to the removal of asbestos waste. If you’re unsure, contact a licensed asbestos contractor or a DEQ expert before removing materials.
- Residents who choose to remove asbestos from their own homes should keep it damp or wet before removing and wear respirators, tie-back suits, and gloves to protect against inhaling or skin contact.Once removed, it should be properly sealed, labeled and taken to a facility that accepts asbestos waste.
- For questions about asbestos in Eastern Oregon (Harney County) contact:DEQ’s Erik Shafer at 503-688-0493.
Flood Debris Is Not Hazardous Waste
- Debris that has touched floodwater can go to approved landfills like the Burns-Hines Disposal site. It is not considered hazardous unless it contains chemicals or asbestos. Visit the ODEQ site for a more complete list of hazards.
- Dumpster diving and salvaging from debris piles is discouragedas you don’t know what chemicals or bacteria may be present in the dumpster or pile.
- The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is providing up to $40,000 in landfill fee coverage at C&B Sanitary. This fee waiver is only for residents disposing of flood debris, and anyone choosing to take advantage of it will be asked to provide information about where the debris came from. This fee waiver is only available while funding lasts.
Skip the Burn Pile
- Open burning of debris is dangerous and not recommended. Smoke can carry harmful particles that affect your lungs and health.
- Instead, chip or grind yard debris and clean wood for reuse or composting. Burning is only allowed with DEQ approval and an emergency permit.
Free Cleanup Supplies and Disposal Sites in Harney County
- Residents can pick up cleaning supplies at DES Emergency Cleanup Supplies, located at 320 Snow Mountain Pine Lane, Hines.
- Homes that have been affected by the flood and are beginning to clean up can take flood debris to C&B Sanitary, open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
OHA empowering communities to reduce tobacco harms statewide
New report chronicles more than 25 years of progress — though work remains
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority is making steady progress in reducing harmful effects of tobacco use through education and community partnerships, according to a new report.
The 2023-25 Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) annual report shows gains have been made in lowering tobacco use over more than a quarter century, through ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting public health.
However, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Oregon, claiming more than 8,000 lives each year and contributing to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
“Our commitment to reducing tobacco use is unwavering,” said Naomi Adeline-Biggs, director of the OHA Public Health Division. “Through the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, we have made significant strides in protecting the health of Oregonians, and we will continue to build on this legacy.”
The report shows that the tobacco industry “focuses its ads, offers and store displays toward specific groups.”
For example, about one in five people targeted in this strategy have household incomes of less than $20,000 per year. An identical percentage of targeted tobacco users report being in poor mental health.
Widespread evidence shows that tobacco marketing causes youth tobacco use and makes it harder for people who are addicted to nicotine to quit.
Another marketing strategy involves the addition of menthol – a flavor additive in cigarettes — that creates a cooling sensation in the throat when the user inhales, making cigarettes feel less harsh, more appealing and easier to smoke, especially for youth and young adults. Tobacco companies manufacture menthol cigarettes to attract potential smokers, especially among communities of color and youth.
Menthol cigarettes contribute to greater nicotine dependence in youth and young adults than non-menthol cigarettes. About 61% of African Americans in Oregon who smoke report using menthol cigarettes, compared to 17% of White residents.
The tobacco industry has been marketing menthol products to African Americans through targeted campaigns since the 1970s. They advertise and promote menthol-flavored tobacco in African American neighborhoods and use campaigns that exploit cultural hallmarks and stereotypes.
For example, Newport, a menthol-flavored cigarette brand, is commonly cheaper to buy in areas with more African American residents.
Youth and teenagers are especially attracted to the flavored products. Roughly 75% of eighth graders and 11th graders who use these tobacco products report using flavored tobacco or vaping products.
Other report findings include:
- Sustained reduction in tobacco use—Oregon has experienced a 46% decrease in adult smoking rates and a 70% reduction in per-capita cigarette sales since TPEP’s inception in 1996.
- Community-centered solutions—TPEP has focused on addressing health inequities by investing more than 65% of its funding directly into local communities, supporting culturally relevant prevention and cessation programs.
- Youth-focused initiatives—The program has implemented strategies to reduce youth tobacco use, including anti-vaping education, mentorship programs and alternatives to suspension for nicotine use.
In 2021, the Oregon Legislature created the Tobacco Retail License Program to ensure compliance with sales laws. Since its inception, youth tobacco use has dropped from 26% in 2022 to 14% in 2024.
This video shows how Youth Adult Inspectors with OHA’s Tobacco Retail Licensing Program are getting involved in reducing retail sales to minors.
OHA’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program has further implemented initiatives that have significantly decreased tobacco use among Oregonians.
This latest report underscores the program’s achievements and outlines ongoing initiatives aimed at improving health.
Key to the momentum behind the state’s tobacco reduction efforts has been the development of collaborative efforts with community partners to further reduce tobacco-related harm and promote health equity across the state.
One such partner, AntFarm, a community-based organization in rural Clackamas County, has a robust mentorship program to help youth quit tobacco. It does this by creating spaces and projects that give youth a sense of belonging.
Youth-created videos highlight the organization’s work.
Kim Wheeler, director of Youth and Family Services at AntFarm, emphasized the importance of these efforts: “We empower youth and families to breathe freely, live strong and healthy lives while building a future without tobacco or vaping through bringing awareness and education to our communities,” she said.
Quitting tobacco makes a difference – and quitting is different for everyone. That’s why there are a variety of free options across Oregon.
- You can get free counseling with a coach by visiting the Oregon Tobacco Quitline, or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or texting “READY” to 34191.
- You can visit a pharmacist near you who will work with you to build a personalized treatment plan and provide follow up to see how the treatment plan is working.
- You can also learn how to quit in your own way, with or without the help of a coach or pharmacist, by visiting this
Increasing awareness and education about primary prevention, public health risks and preventive health services are among actions OHA is taking as part of its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan.
For more information about tobacco prevention visit the OHA website.
Jackson County is gearing up to welcome visitors to Emigrant Lake this summer, with the lake nearly replenished after several years of low water levels.
Steve Lambert, the Roads and Parks Director for Jackson County, shared exciting updates about the upcoming season, which promises a mix of outdoor recreation, new concessions, and renovated park facilities. The resurgence of the lake will also help the popular non-motorized watercraft rentals, including paddleboards and kayaks, which had struggled during the low-water years.
The county is actively seeking new business partners to provide food, beverage, and non-motorized watercraft rentals, a service that was previously offered when the lake had better water levels. The last concessionaire at Emigrant Lake was successful in offering rentals and lessons for paddleboards, and Lambert is optimistic about finding a new partner to continue this tradition.
In preparation for the influx of visitors, Jackson County has also been working on improving park facilities. New infrastructure, including replacement sidewalks, staircases and a renovated Oak Slope Tent Campground.
Oregonians who intend to fly in the near future and have not yet obtained a REAL ID driver’s license are facing a time crunch, as wait times at DMV offices are surging due to increased demand.
Following the May 7 deadline, the Transportation Security Administration will mandate a REAL ID or an alternative form of identification, such as a passport, to pass through security at U.S. airports. This impending deadline has been anticipated for quite some time.
The REAL ID Act, enacted by Congress in 2005, prohibits the use of state-issued IDs that do not meet new federal minimum standards for personal identification. However, the implementation of this law is only now occurring, two decades later. Consequently, the Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services reports that walk-in wait times at DMV offices can now extend for several hours.
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