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.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Overnight a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low near 43.
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
On Monday, around 4:30 PM, Klamath County 911 received a notification about a deceased person located on Hootowl off Kodiak Lane in Bonanza, Oregon.
The deceased has been identified as Donald Hadfield, born on September 4, 1968. An initial investigation revealed that Mr. Hadfield’s death was not of natural origin, prompting the activation of the Klamath County Major Crime Team.
Currently, there is limited information regarding suspects, but investigators are looking for a white male adult in relation to this case. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office without delay.
This crime team includes members from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), the City of Klamath Falls Police Department (KFPD), Oregon State Police (OSP), and the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office.
In a proactive initiative to address the increasing occurrences of organized retail theft, the Klamath Falls Police Department, in collaboration with local retailers, has initiated a Retail Theft Operation.
This operation consisted of a multi-day enforcement effort aimed at combating shoplifting and organized retail crime within Klamath Falls. The operation took place at both Fred Meyer and Walmart over two distinct days between April 11 and April 23. During this initiative, several individuals were apprehended or issued citations for theft.
Due to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and store Loss Prevention teams, numerous thefts were successfully thwarted, leading to the recovery of hundreds of dollars worth of stolen goods.
Retail theft not only affects store owners but also has repercussions for the entire community by increasing prices, jeopardizing public safety, and financing larger criminal organizations. Our officers and community partners are dedicated to ensuring that offenders are held accountable and to safeguarding local businesses. This operation is part of a continuous strategy to tackle the escalating threat of organized retail crime.
Individuals with information regarding retail theft activities are urged to reach out to the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336, or they may contact our anonymous Tip Line at (541) 883-5334.
Tuesday evening, the municipalities of Klamath County convened to discuss the achievements and challenges faced by local law enforcement agencies, with financial issues being the most significant concern.
Klamath County Commissioner Andy Nichols initiated the Council of Governments meeting by highlighting the “serious revenue shortfalls” affecting Klamath County. Both law enforcement and related agencies receive financial support from the Klamath County general fund, which is allocated annually.
Commissioners Nichols and Derrick DeGroot noted that this general fund is primarily derived from property tax revenues. According to Oregon state law, these funds must be utilized for various essential services, including the county assessor’s office, the county clerk, and public safety, among other community-focused entities.
DeGroot further elaborated on the budgetary constraints, indicating that Klamath County’s property tax has not kept pace with rising inflation and service costs for several years. The current property tax framework in Oregon is influenced by two constitutional amendments, commonly referred to as measures 5 and 50, which were enacted in the 1990s. These measures established a rate-based tax system, reduced taxable values, and imposed limits on the growth of tax rates.
As a potential solution, the Sheriff’s Office is considering the establishment of policing districts in strategically selected areas throughout the county.
Healthy Klamath is calling on all able volunteers to join in the annual “Give Back Day.”
This Saturday, April 26th, 12 community projects across Klamath County are in need of some helping hands.
To participate and volunteer on this give back day for one of the projects, sign up online by visiting healthyklamath.com/givebackday25.
Senior Center stage overhaul – Volunteers needed from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to help re-carpet the senior center stage. (5 volunteers needed; no sign-ups yet)
Tidy towns — Help tidy up downtown Klamath Falls from 1 to 3 p.m. Areas include Pine Street, Main Street and Klamath Avenue between Second and 12th Streets. If possible, please bring string trimmers, leaf blowers, gloves, weed pullers, dusters, squeegees and/or shovels. Meet at Klamath Commons Park. (76 volunteers still needed)
Linkville Cemetery clean up – From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers will be weeding, leveling headstones, filling plots with wood chips, trimming and pruning, removing dead plants, trees, branches and garbage. Please bring gloves, pruning shears, shovels, rakes, weed whackers and personal protective equipment. (20 volunteers still needed)
Crocheting finger puppets — Grab your yarn and head up to Sky Lakes Medical Center from 10 a.m. to noon to crochet octopus finger puppets for children in the hospital. Please bring your own yarn and size E (3.5 mm) crochet needles. Meet in the Rivers Room. (7 volunteers still needed)
Creating caring cards — From 1 to 4 p.m. at Alpine Meadows Clubhouse, 4200 Summers Lane, help make “thank you” cards for First Responders. Please bring scissors and/or glue. (24 volunteers still needed)
Moore Park bike skills park clean-up — Volunteers will meet at the picnic table area at Moore Park bike skills park to weed whack, rake and perform tread work, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at noon. Please bring work gloves. (1 volunteer still needed)
Long-sleeve T-shirt drive — Have some spare long-sleeve shirts? Head on down to Klamath Basin Behavioral Health to donate them on behalf of migrant farm workers between 9 and 11 a.m. No additional volunteers are needed, but donations are.
Painting Chiloquin City Park bathroom — Meet at Chiloquin City Park from 1 to 3 p.m. to repaint the bathroom facilities. Don’t forget to wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on. (2 volunteers still needed)
Wingwatchers Trail clean-up — Help clean up the Wingwatchers trail. Please bring work clothes and gloves. (43 volunteers still needed)
Hagelstein clean-up with Klamath Tribes Youth Council — Meet volunteers at the top of Haglestein from 10 a.m. to noon to pick up garbage. Carpooling is encouraged due to limited space and a need for 4WD. Must be 16 years or older. Bring heavy duty work gloves. (16 volunteers needed)
Klamath’s Hidden Gem trail on the Sprague River — From 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., volunteers will clear brush and rake out a nice tread for the trail. Located at NF90 (FS2200-090) off Switchback road, off Sprague River Rd. (18 volunteers needed)
Chiloquin Bike Park clean-up — From 10 a.m. to noon, help get the bike park ready for spring by raking trails, stamping trails and litter clean up. Please bring you own work gloves. (9 volunteers needed)
Cultivate community garden — This project has reached capacity for volunteers.
In a recent Facebook announcement, the City of Klamath Falls expressed its disappointment regarding the extensive vandalism of the public restroom at Mills-Kiwanis Park, rendering it unusable.
Due to the severity of the damage, the facility will remain closed for the foreseeable future until a replacement can be installed. Such acts of destruction affect all who utilize our public spaces.
Repairing and replacing vandalized property requires time, resources, and taxpayer funds—resources that could be more effectively allocated towards enhancing our parks and community services. We request your assistance; if you witnessed any suspicious activity or possess information related to this incident, please reach out to the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336.
The Oregon Institute of Technology is actively seeking financial assistance to establish a new public medical school in Klamath Falls, aiming to tackle the shortage of primary care providers in rural Oregon.
Leaders at Oregon Tech have expressed concerns that residents of Oregon are experiencing diminishing access to healthcare services, especially in the realm of primary care. This issue is particularly severe in the state’s rural areas. However, the implementation of this proposal will require several years and substantial financial investment.
The institute is requesting that state legislators allocate $1.5 million to initiate the planning phase. During an informational session on Thursday, Nagi Naganathan, president of Oregon Tech, informed members of the Oregon House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development that a viable solution to the state’s healthcare access challenges would be to significantly increase the number of primary care physicians trained within Oregon. Naganathan indicated that the university’s plan involves establishing the state’s second public medical school, following Oregon Health & Science University.
The proposed program will concentrate on osteopathic medicine, which prioritizes a holistic and patient-centered approach, resulting in the graduation of D.O.s rather than M.D.s. He noted that the program would collaborate closely with Sky Lakes Medical Center, a teaching hospital located next to the Oregon Tech campus.
Monday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that the water supplies for 2025 will adequately meet the expected irrigation demands for this year.
Scott Seus, President of the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) and a farmer in the Tulelake region, said, quote,
“It is not surprising that Reclamation has made this statement. Given the wet winter, favorable initial soil moisture, and a substantial snowpack, there is no doubt that sufficient irrigation water will be available in 2025.”
However, Seus also pointed out that “Reclamation is implementing water distribution rules that are entirely unrealistic and could severely impact farms, except in particularly wet years like this one. We have a unique chance to reinstate the historic ‘flow-through’ of water that has historically supported both our ecosystem and agricultural needs, especially with the significant water being released from our current snowpack, which is at 182% of normal levels. This is an opportunity to begin repairing the damage to our landscape caused by decades of ineffective water management policies”.
KWUA Executive Director Elizabeth Nielsen noted that Reclamation is utilizing a water allocation strategy established in the latter part of 2024. “Reclamation likely feels constrained at this moment. However, we will not allow a favorable year to compensate for a flawed plan.”
KWUA is strongly advocating for Reclamation to undertake the necessary steps to amend the existing rules governed by ESA Biological Opinions. “We emphasized this point in numerous meetings in Washington, D.C. earlier this month,” stated Mrs. Nielsen. “We believe the Administration is aware of the significant issues that require resolution and is dedicated to implementing sustainable solutions.”
Mr. Seus shared this sentiment, expressing optimism that improved regulations, which take into account the needs of agriculture, the basin ecosystem, and our communities, are forthcoming.
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.
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
The Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team confiscated nearly 150,000 potentially fatal doses of fentanyl that were en route to Grants Pass.
The total amount seized exceeded 10 ounces. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that ‘two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal depending on an individual’s body size, tolerance, and previous usage.’
The RADE team is composed of officers from the Grants Pass Police Department, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Community Corrections, the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, and federal partners. The investigation into the fentanyl remains active.
The principal of St. Helens High School stepped down on Friday in response to ongoing public criticism following the late 2024 arrest of two teachers from the institution for purportedly sexually abusing students.
Katy Wagner had previously been placed on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced and was indicted on November 26 for charges including criminal mistreatment and official misconduct, according to court documents.
Stacey Mendoza, a spokesperson for the St. Helens School District, stated via email that the district will commence the search for a new principal, but she refrained from providing additional comments regarding Wagner’s resignation.
Wagner was subjected to significant public scrutiny, alongside the criminal charges, for allegedly neglecting to report concerns related to child safety prior to the arrests of former St. Helens teachers Eric Stearns and Mark Collins, as indicated by court records.
The state of Salem may impose severe penalties on Oregon’s power companies if they are determined to be negligent or responsible for igniting a wildfire.
Senate Bill 926 seeks to prohibit private electric companies from recouping costs associated with wildfire lawsuits if a court finds them negligent in causing a fire.
State Senator Jeff Golden, a Democrat from Ashland and a proponent of the bill, asserts that electric companies must provide compensation to the affected parties before addressing any financial obligations to their shareholders. Senator Golden emphasizes that numerous Oregonians continue to face challenges stemming from the 2020 wildfires, and this legislation prioritizes the needs of wildfire victims.
Senate Bill 926 enjoys bipartisan support and had a public hearing last month, although it has yet to be scheduled for a vote.
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.
On Monday, the Oregon State Police (OSP) apprehended Johnathan James Dowdy after his discharge from RiverBend Hospital, where he received treatment for injuries incurred in that collisionwith the college team van.
Dowdy, a 32-year-old resident of Coos Bay, is currently held at the Coos County jail and is facing numerous charges, including: Manslaughter in the First Degree (two counts), Assault in the Second Degree (three counts), Assault in the Third Degree (five counts), Reckless Endangering of a Person (fourteen counts), Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.
These charges arise from an incident on Highway 42 in Coos County, where Dowdy’s westbound Chevrolet Silverado crossed the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound Chevrolet Express bus.
This season marksed 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 by Mr. Dowdy.
Oregon State Senator Aaron Woods (D), from Wilsonville, passed away on Saturday at the age of 75, as announced by Senate Democrats on Monday morning.
The press release did not specify the cause of his death; however, it was noted that Woods had been receiving medical treatment, which led Senate President Rob Wagner, a Democrat from Lake Oswego, to remove him from his committee assignments earlier in April.
Woods was elected to the Senate in 2022. He was raised on the south side of Chicago and served six years in the U.S. Army’s strategic communications division, achieving the rank of specialist before receiving an honorable discharge, as detailed in his legislative and campaign biographies. Following his military service, he pursued a career in the technology sector, ultimately retiring as a senior executive at Xerox. His background in technology influenced his legislative focus, including a 2023 law he sponsored that mandates political campaigns to disclose their use of artificial intelligence in efforts to sway voters.
Although Woods maintained a relatively low profile at the Capitol, he was well-regarded in his district in Wilsonville for his dedication to local concerns. A collection of letters from constituents featured on his campaign website highlighted his commitment to fostering a welcoming community and advocating for the city’s needs.
Democratic leaders expressed their condolences and admiration for Woods in statements released on Monday. Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, a Democrat from Portland, referred to him as a respected colleague and a devoted public servant.
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 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.
Oregon’s down payment assistance initiative supported 269 families in purchasing their first homes last year.
The program allocated nearly 10 million dollars, providing an average of 28 thousand dollars to each homebuyer throughout the state. The average home price was 339 thousand dollars. Among the homebuyers, 150 were recognized as first-generation, and 55 percent identified as people of color.
Since its inception in 2011, the Home Ownership Assistance Program has aided over 1,500 households.
Oregon currently holds the second-to-last position, just ahead of Alaska, in terms of pharmacy accessibility.
A proposed state bill aims to support the struggling pharmacy sector. Proposed legislation intends to improve the challenging pharmacy environment in Oregon by empowering drugstores in their interactions with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These entities, designed to facilitate the purchasing of medications for consumers, function as intermediaries between pharmacies and insurance providers.
A PBM has the authority to determine the compensation a pharmacy receives for dispensing a prescription. However, pharmacists argue that the reimbursement rates are frequently insufficient, leading to financial losses and the closure of pharmacies.
Jeff Errol, the CEO of Cascadia Pharmacy Group, which operates seven pharmacies in Southern Oregon, described the reimbursement rates set by PBMs as ‘egregious.’
Over the past decade, Oregon has seen a significant decline in the number of pharmacies, now ranking last among the contiguous United States in pharmacy access, as reported by the Oregon State Pharmacy Association. While PBMs were established with a specific purpose, Errol contends that these companies now consistently undercompensate pharmacists to maximize their profits.
Critics of the proposed legislation argue that the new regulations could lead to higher prices for prescription medications.
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.
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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