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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Light west southwest 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Overnight, mostly clear with a low near 40. West northwest wind 9 to 14 mph.

 

 

Around the State of Oregon

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office reported that the missing 5-year-old boy has been found dead.

The boy was located approximately 4.6 miles downstream from where he allegedly entered the water at the Sluice Box River Access.

Investigators estimated the water velocity at approximately 20 mph. Search efforts by local authorities include the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, the Karuk Tribe, local firefighters, and community volunteers. The boy’s family has been notified.

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding the incident, please contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 841-2900.

 

Republicans in the Oregon House are proposing $730 million in cuts to the Oregon Department of Transportation to avoid a tax increase.

These cuts include the State Transportation Improvement Fund, the elimination of $68 million in vacant positions, and bicycle and pedestrian safety programs. Funding for passenger rail, social equity, and civil rights would also be reduced, as would a 3 percent reduction in administrative staff.

Democrats, on the other hand, are proposing a nearly $2 billion increase in taxes and fees to support ODOT.

 

Fallen officers honored during annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

SALEM, Ore. — A ceremony held Tuesday, May 6 commemorated law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in Oregon. The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s fallen officers and those they left behind.

The event was held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy, site of the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial. Tuesday’s ceremony remembered three fallen officers whose names were recently added to the memorial: Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson of the Portland Police Bureau, end of watch May 12, 1917; Policeman George M. Lowe of the Ashland Police Department, end of watch March 3, 1919; and Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider of the Silverton Police Department, end of watch May 29, 1965.

The ceremony was attended by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, elected officials and public safety professionals from throughout the state. In addressing the audience, Governor Kotek paid tribute to the state’s fallen officers, honoring their courage, selflessness, and enduring legacy, while offering her condolences and gratitude to the loved ones they left behind.

“Who we are as people in the face of adversity is an opportunity to be our very best selves. The officers memorialized today met the moment with dignity and heroism and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Governor Kotek Said. “There is no sacrifice more noble, no pledge to the public more honorable, and that extends to their families as well.”

Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson succumbed died on May 12, 1917 after succumbing to injuries from a fall. Patrolman Laugeson was boarding a streetcar on Mississippi Avenue when he slipped and fell, striking his head on the pavement. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he passed away two days later. Patrolman Laugeson had served with the Portland Police Bureau for five years, and was survived by his wife and eight children.

Policeman George M. Lowe on foot patrol in the early morning hours of March 3, 1919, and was struck by a train after it switched tracks. Policeman Lowe succumbed to his wounds instantly. He had served with the Ashland Police Department for seven months and was survived by his wife and five children.

Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider suffered a massive heart attack while in pursuit of a suspect on May 29, 1965. He was survived by his son, his mother, and his brother.

Speaking on behalf of Patrolman Laugeson, Deputy Chief Chris Gjovik of the Portland Police Bureau emphasized that the sacrifices of the officers whose names adorn the wall never fade with time.

“By placing Andrew’s name here, we not only honor his life of sacrifice, but we also reaffirm that no matter how many years pass, we will not forget those who gave everything in the name of public safety,” he said. “Their stories, their service, and their humanity live on in the hearts of those who continue to wear the badge, and in the stone that bears their names.”

The memorial bears the names of the 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

The ceremony is a significant event that the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is honored to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon’s various statewide law enforcement associations.

Oregon’s memorial ceremony is held ahead of National Police Week events in Washington, D.C. so that family members and coworkers can attend both memorial ceremonies. More than 23,000 officers who have died in the line of duty are honored on the national memorial.

Captain Shane Strangfield of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, president of the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation Board of Directors, spoke of the duty to preserve the legacy of the fallen and ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

“When they took their oath to serve, they made a solemn commitment to the citizens of Oregon,” Captain Strangfield said. “In turn, we made a commitment to them, and to their families, that their sacrifice would never be forgotten.”

 

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation reports it recovered more than $2 million for Oregonians in the first quarter of this year.

The division received more than 1,400 complaints related to insurance, mortgages, securities, loans, and other financial services. In one case, an insurance company was notified that a customer had sold their vehicle but had not removed it from their policy. The additional charges were not detected until months later.

The DFR says its advocates helped the customer obtain a $3,300 refund.

 

Portland Sex Offender Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison For Enticing A Minor Online and Receiving Child Porn 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison Monday for using multiple social media applications to entice a young child to send him sexually explicit images of herself.

Shawn Alan Smith, 44, was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison and a life term of supervised release. Smith was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim.

According to court documents, between July 11 and September 15, 2020, Smith used multiple fake online social media personas, including several on KIK messenger and TikTok, to communicate with a nine-year-old child. While posing as a minor himself, Smith instructed the child victim to take sexually explicit photos of herself and send them to him, which she did. Smith also engaged in a video chat with the child while pretending to be the father of one of his fake online personas. At the time of the offense, Smith was a registered sex offender following prior state criminal convictions for child pornography offenses in Oregon and Maryland.

On March 9, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at Smith’s Portland apartment. While the agents were attempting to gain entry to the apartment through a door he had barricaded, Smith threw his phone and computer out his bathroom window. Smith was arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with production and attempted production of child pornography.

On January 21, 2025, Smith pleaded guilty to a two-count superseding information charging him with online enticement of a minor and receipt of child pornography.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

 

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard held a mobilization ceremony for Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem.

Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st IBCT are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. 

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek addressed attendees, thanking Soldiers and their families for their commitment and sacrifice. 

“I know you will rise to any challenge ahead of you and continue to set the bar high,” Kotek said. 

Task Force BATAAN is comprised of Soldiers from Oregon, New Mexico, Washington, and Louisiana. They will be serving in Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia in support of CJTF-HOA and JSOTF-SOM. The primary mission will be to conduct security and base defense operations. 

 

Salem, OR — This is National Nurses Week. This year’s theme is the power of nurses.

The Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) recognizes the powerful and essential role nurses play in the lives of those they serve in Oregon’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) system. The nation is experiencing a shortage of nurses. To help address this shortage in Oregon’s I/DD sector, ODDS launched a campaign to raise awareness about nursing careers in Oregon’s I/DD system in December 2024.

ODDS used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to contract with Applichat Limited, a recruitment marketing agency, to lead the campaign. Applichat’s research revealed that while disability nursing has many benefits — more flexible schedules, the ability to form strong patient relationships and opportunities for meaningful impact — most nurses don’t know that serving the I/DD community is an option. They are unaware of career opportunities in the disability sector due to gaps in curriculum and public awareness.

“From speaking to nurses, families and healthcare professionals as part of our research, we’ve seen the impact of the disability nursing shortage,” said Adam Chambers, President of Applichat.

Nurses transform the lives of people like Casey Potter. Born with cerebral palsy due to a spinal infarction at birth caused by bacterial meningitis, Casey and his family struggled to find nurses who could provide care at home. But once they found the right support, the impact was profound — not just for Casey, but for his entire family. His mother, Monique Potter, said, “He’s grown so much into his own independence. Now I can just be his mom, not his caregiver.”

ODDS Children’s Services Manager Lisa Tyler said of the campaign’s significance: “For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, nurses are a lifeline to greater independence and personal safety. This campaign is crucial in helping individuals like Casey and his family experience a better quality of life. Many nurses would find this work deeply rewarding.”

To help nurses learn more about careers in the I/DD community, please refer them to the ODDS Nursing Services web page: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/idd/pages/nursing-services.aspx. The page includes information about the three types of nursing positions in the I/DD sector: private duty nursing, direct nursing and long-term care community nursing. It also includes resources for interested nurses, such as a career paths guide for I/DD nursing in Oregon.

 

According to a recent energy forecast from regional experts, electricity demand in the Northwest may potentially double by the year 2046.

Over the next twenty years, it is anticipated that demand could rise annually by a rate ranging from 1.8% to 3.1%, as reported to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council on Tuesday. This anticipated increase is largely attributed to the establishment of additional data centers in the region, the growing number of electric vehicles on the roads, the electrification of buildings, advancements in computer chip manufacturing, and the production of ‘green hydrogen’ through the process of applying an electrical current to water to separate it into hydrogen and oxygen.

On Tuesday, council staff presented this 20-year electricity demand forecast for Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana to the council’s eight members, who are appointed by the governors of each state, with each governor selecting two representatives.

The demand for residential and commercial energy, which encompasses the projected energy needs for electric vehicle charging at homes and buildings but excludes data centers, is expected to experience a more gradual increase.

Notably, the demand for residential and commercial energy in Washington alone is projected to match the total demand from these sectors in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana over the next two decades.

 

Physicians in Oregon are advocating for the state Senate to approve Senate Bill 539, which seeks to shield patients from concealed medical charges.

They argue that these ‘facility fees’ may discourage individuals from pursuing essential medical care due to unforeseen expenses. The discussion surrounding Senate Bill 539 is becoming more heated as the Hospital Association of Oregon expresses apprehensions regarding its possible repercussions.

The association contends that the legislation could jeopardize the stability of Oregon’s healthcare system by abolishing facility fees, which are vital for the operation of numerous hospitals. They assert that hospital-based facilities, which frequently cater to patients with intricate needs, differ significantly from independent physician practices. These facilities adhere to stringent licensing requirements and are responsible for managing emergency transfers within their healthcare network.

The association claims that SB 539 unfairly penalizes these institutions, potentially resulting in closures and a reduction in services, particularly in rural regions. Having already passed through the Senate Committee on Health Care earlier this month, the bill is now poised for a vote in the full Senate. Furthermore, the Hospital Association of Oregon has emphasized that SB 539 ‘will further destabilize the state’s fragile healthcare system, diminishing patient access to care. Many are seeking partners to maintain financial viability.’

 

A new Hospital Association of Oregon report shows that hospitals are financially unstable, threatening the future of patient care in Oregon communities. Almost half of the state’s hospitals operated at a loss in 2024, and others barely broke even.

“Oregon’s hospitals are on the brink,” said Becky Hultberg, Hospital Association of Oregon president and CEO. “They face a perfect storm of soaring expenses, complex and costly regulations, and payments that don’t cover the cost of care. And federal Medicaid changes contemplated by Congress could tip some hospitals over the edge.”

The report highlights that while hospitals across the country were challenged during the pandemic and are now stabilizing, Oregon hospitals remain on unstable footing.

“It’s becoming clear that Oregon hospitals operate in one of the most challenging environments in the country, shaped by a tough regulatory landscape and payments that don’t come close to covering the double-digit increases we’ve seen in expenses from salaries and benefits,” she said. “Patients are struggling to find doctors, wait times to see a doctor are long, and emergency departments are overcrowded. This is a result of the policy choices the state has made and insufficient payment from insurers.”

In this challenging environment, Oregon hospitals have been pushed to make difficult decisions including cutting more than 800 jobs, seeking partnerships to shore up operations, reducing or divesting from services, and fundraising to replace broken or outdated equipment. This is a trend that is likely to continue without shifts in health policy and increasing payments to hospitals to cover the cost of providing care.

Medicaid—the state’s largest insurer—is contributing to hospitals’ financial distress. The state only pays hospitals 56 cents on the dollar for caring for Medicaid patients. Additionally, hospitals are subject to onerous state rules and regulations that demand resources for compliance, reduce revenue, and increase operating expenses for hospitals.

Hospitals’ financial instability not only jeopardizes access to care but also threatens the economic stability of communities statewide. Oregon’s 61 hospitals serve as a crucial economic engine, generating $32.4 billion in economic impact and supporting 160,000 jobs—including 70,000 direct hospital employees.

“In this pivotal moment for hospitals, policymakers and community leaders cannot afford to ignore what’s happening in Oregon,” Hultberg said. “The choices the state makes are forcing the trade-off of services that our families, friends, and neighbors depend on.”

Read more about the state of Oregon’s hospitals in the Hospital Association of Oregon’s new report: Oregon Hospitals on the Brink.

 

Mushroom permits available for Klamath National Forest

YREKA, Calif., May 5, 2025— The Klamath National Forest invites the public to enjoy mushroom collecting on the forest, where a variety of edible mushrooms—including morels, chanterelles, shaggy mane, puffballs, boletes, and oyster mushrooms—can be found throughout Siskiyou County.

Permits Required for Mushroom Collecting
To protect forest resources and ensure sustainable harvesting, a permit is required to collect mushrooms on the Klamath National Forest. Permits are available at Forest Service offices in Happy Camp, Macdoel, and Fort Jones. Permits are not available at the Supervisor’s Office in Yreka.

• $20 Permit: Collect up to 8 gallons over four consecutive days
• $50 Permit: Collect up to 20 gallons over 30 consecutive days (additional days may be purchased for $5 per day)
• $100 Seasonal Permit: Collect up to 40 gallons during the season

Each permit includes specific conditions and restrictions designed to promote responsible and sustainable harvesting. Permit holders are responsible for reviewing and complying with these guidelines. For questions about mushroom harvesting, camping, or fire restrictions, contact your local ranger district.

If a collector reaches their gallon limit, they may purchase an additional permit. Each permit is valid only for designated areas within the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll, Goosenest, and Salmon/Scott Ranger Districts. Please note that separate permits are required for the fall mushroom season.

For more information, please contact your local ranger district or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath/offices.

 

It’s the time of year when we should be on the lookout for bears, as they are awakening from hibernation and are hungry.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reminds us not to offer them a free lunch. This warning is especially relevant in Ashland, where bears frequently visit human-populated areas. Last year, 137 bear conflicts were reported in Jackson County, 38 of which occurred within the city of Ashland.

ODFW urges us to keep food sources, including garbage, in secure locations where bears cannot access them.

 

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EARLY LEARNING AND CARE CELEBRATES FULL STATEWIDE ACCESS TO DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY

SALEM, ORE. – The Imagination Library of Oregon welcomed the Lower Umpqua Library in Reedsport as the 57^th Local Program Partner, making it possible for families in Reedsport and Gardiner to register children under 5 to receive free books by mail each month. To make this coverage possible, the Lower Umpqua Library partnered with the Reedsport Rotary Foundation and was funded by a generous grant from the Oregon Community Foundation. 

“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library isn’t just about books – it’s about fostering relationships between caring adults and children that spark the joy of reading at an early age,” Governor Tina Kotek emphasized. “This program is essential to improve our literacy outcomes and helps make sure every Oregon student, regardless of where they live, has the opportunity to develop a love of reading before they ever step into a classroom.”

The Imagination Library is a book gifting program developed by The Dollywood Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Dolly Parton. Since launching in 1995, the Imagination Library has become the preeminent, international early childhood literacy program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by mailing books each month to children (0-5 yrs. old), free of charge to families, through funding shared by Dolly, the State of Oregon, and local community partnerships.

“This is an incredible milestone.  The goal of the statewide expansion was to ensure that children ages 0-5 in every zip code in Oregon have access to books. With the addition of Reedsport, that goal has been achieved,” said DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “By expanding the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we’re helping more young children across the state build early literacy skills and develop a lifelong love of reading – no matter where they live or what their background may be.”

During the 2023 legislative session, under Senate Bill 5506, $1.7 million was appropriated to DELC to help administer and expand the program statewide. Today, the program is already having a significant reach and impact. Currently, 65,000 Oregonian children are enrolled in the Imagination Library, which translates to approximately 30% of all children under the age of five.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to fall in love with reading, no matter their zip code or family income,” said Majority Leader Ben Bowman, who successfully championed the library going statewide. “The Imagination Library is one of the most effective tools we have to close early literacy gaps and invest in Oregon’s future.”

Primary caregivers of children ages 0-5 can sign up to receive a new book each month by mail at no cost to families. Children can be registered as early as birth and will receive books monthly until their 5^th birthday month.  “It’s a wonderful way for families to build routines and cherished memories together,” said Imagination Library of Oregon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Kaylee Chrystal. 

To learn more about the Imagination Library, or to enroll your child, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/oregon. To view Dolly Parton’s video remarks from the Oregon launch, please visit the DELC website.  

 

Governor Tina Kotek has announced a $10 million investment aimed at developing the artificial intelligence (AI) workforce, in conjunction with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Oregon and chipmaker, NVIDIA.

This initiative seeks to enhance AI education and skill development. The announcement was made during her speech at the Northwest Breakfast Forum, organized by SEMI, an association representing the semiconductor, electronics design, and manufacturing supply chain sectors.

The MOU creates a partnership framework for Oregon and NVIDIA to promote entrepreneurship and expand AI-centric education and skill development, preparing Oregonians for future opportunities while assisting state agencies in identifying responsible AI applications to enhance government services. As part of this collaboration, NVIDIA will partner with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and Oregon’s higher education institutions to establish an AI Ambassador Program, which will deploy trained ambassadors across campuses to offer practical training and mentorship to students. This initiative will be guided by a steering committee comprising representatives from both the state and industry.

In addition to the MOU, the Governor is allocating $10 million from the Oregon CHIPS Act funding to the Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund, aimed at cultivating a strong technology workforce in Oregon. This investment will support workforce development initiatives related to the semiconductor and AI industries, with an emphasis on training Oregonians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, for lucrative career opportunities.

 

Next year, the average inflation-adjusted student tuition cost for Oregon residents attending the state’s seven public universities is projected to be nearly 30% higher than it was ten years ago, due to proposed or approved increases by each university board for the upcoming academic year.

The seven public universities in Oregon—Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon, and Western Oregon University—are all expected to implement tuition hikes ranging from 3% to 5% for the 2025-26 academic year.

This follows a trend of annual tuition increases at each institution over the past decade. Any tuition hikes exceeding 5%, including mandatory fees such as student health fees, necessitate approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Ben Cannon, the commission’s executive director, indicated via email that the commission does not anticipate any tuition increase proposals surpassing 5%, based on the information received from the universities.

The tuition increases are attributed to rising labor costs and inflation affecting various expenses, including teaching materials, utility costs, and insurance, as stated by university representatives. Cannon further noted that inadequate levels of state funding are also contributing to the rising costs of enrollment.

 

The U.S. Forest Service is currently recruiting permanent wildland firefighters for the upcoming season in Oregon and Washington.

A diverse range of positions is available, including handcrew members, hotshot crews, pilots, dispatchers, and equipment operators.

Applications will be accepted until Thursday via the Forest Service Careers website and USAJobs.gov.

 

 

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 today, 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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