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Monday, May 12, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then showers the rest of the dday, high near 53 degrees. West wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch. Overnight, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of rain between 8pm and 11pm with a low around 36. North northwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

 

 

 

 

 

Around the State of Oregon

Members of the Oregon House have sent a bill back to committee that seeks to prohibit the use of recycled plastic bags.

Senate Bill 551 proposes that only paper grocery bags be distributed in retail establishments. House legislators opted to return the bill to the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment for additional review.

Should the bill successfully pass through the legislative process, the Oregon Health Authority would be responsible for enforcing these regulations. Consumers would still incur a charge of 5 cents for recycled paper checkout bags, unless they present an EBT card, with this provision set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill mandates that restaurants and other businesses provide plastic utensils and single-use condiment packets only upon request, effective July 1, 2026. Drive-through establishments and those with spatial limitations that hinder employee-only access to these items would be exempt from this requirement.

If enacted, hotels, motels, and other vacation rentals would also need to adhere to the new regulations.

 

 

Deschutes County, Ore. 9 May 2025- On Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8:52 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97, near milepost 156, in Deschutes County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Dodge Caravan, operated by Anthony Buddrick Torres (25) of La Pine, crossed the centerline and struck a northbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Florentino Cruz Aguilar (52) of Williams (CA), head-on. The collision caused both vehicles to become fully engulfed in flames and required local fire crews efforts to extinguish the fires.

The operator of the Dodge (Torres) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Kenworth (Cruz Aguilar) suffered reportedly minor injuries and was transported to an area medical center.

The highway was impacted for an extended period of time during the investigation and cleanup of the vehicles. The operator of the Dodge had been reported as suicidal prior to the crash and the crash is suspected to have been intentional.

OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Sunriver Fire, Alfalfa Fire, La Pine Fire, and ODOT.

 

OREGON STATE POLICE COLD CASE UNIT IDENTIFIES VICTIM FROM 1980 MURDER CASE – MARION COUNTY

Almost 45 years ago, in the early morning hours of July 18, 1980, Oregon State Police responded to a report of a deceased, unidentified male along Interstate 5 near Woodburn.

A homicide investigation was opened and while extensive efforts were made to identify the victim, he remained a John Doe until April 2025.

In cooperation with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office and the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department, OSP’s Cold Case Unit was able to positively identify the victim as Larry Eugene Parks. Parks was 30 years old at the time of his death and a Vietnam veteran. His family had lost contact with him in 1979, and was last seen in Pensacola, Florida. Until his identification last month, the circumstances of his disappearance were unknown to the Parks family

The discovery of Parks’ body came a day after the body of Michael O’Fallon was found along I-5 near the Talbot exit, also in Marion County. Due to similarities in the evidence, investigators at the time suspected the two murders were related. Unfortunately, both investigations went cold as investigative leads dried up

In 1983, Randy Kraft was arrested in Orange County, California, for murder. Kraft was ultimately convicted of 16 murders in California, although he’s suspected of committing more than 60 murders across the West Coast and Michigan. During Kraft’s trial and sentencing, evidence from the O’Fallon and Parks murders was transferred to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to be used in court. The evidence remained in Orange County until 2024

In January 2024, an investigator from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reached out to the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit regarding evidence related to the John Doe (Parks) case from 1980 and offered to help identify the remains using Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy.  John Doe’s blood sample was sent to Parabon Nanolabs and a genetic profile was developed. Investigators were able to use this information to locate possible family members. The family members submitted DNA samples for comparison which led to the positive identification of John Doe as Larry Parks.   

With Parks’ identity confirmed, investigators are now working to bring resolution to the 45-year-old case.

About the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit

The Cold Case Unit consists of investigators in OSP’s Criminal Investigation Division dedicated to resolving the agency’s unsolved homicide, missing persons, unidentified human remains, and suspicious death investigations. The unit is maximizing the use of forensic analysis and genetic genealogy in multiple cases. The unit has made tangible progress on cases as old as 50 years and is actively investigating 37 cold cases. 

 

Recreational use advisory lifted for Emigrant Lake

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Emigrant in Jackson County.

OHA issued the advisory on May 1 due to the photo and satellite imagery evidence of potentially-toxin producing cyanobacteria near areas of high recreational use. Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Emigrant Lake are below recreational guideline values.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can shift quickly. They can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Some cyanobacteria move up and down in the water depending on light and nutrients, so what’s visible on the surface can change throughout the day. Wind and water movement can also affect where the bloom appears.

Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

 

ODF Reminds Everyone To Exercise Caution With Spring Burning

SALEM, OR – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and other fire prevention experts are urging everyone to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this spring. There have already been 32 escaped debris burns reported on ODF-protected land in 2025, nearly double the amount compared to this time last year. The average size of a spring escaped debris burn is about one acre, or the size of a football field, and generally requires suppression from the local fire protection agency.

Over seventy-five percent of wildfires in Oregon are human caused, with escaped debris burns topping the list. With forecasters becoming increasingly confident that this season will be hotter and drier than normal, now is the time to practice wildfire prevention. As grass and vegetation begin to dry out, the risk of a fire creeping away from a debris burn pile increases. Make sure to weigh your options and have all of the fire prevention tools in place before lighting the burn pile or incinerator.

Besides burning, preferable options for brush removal include composting or recycling. Check with your local disposal company for recycling options.  

But if burning now is the only option to dispose of yard debris, fire prevention specialists ask people to follow safe burning practices.

• Call before you burn—Regulations vary by location. Call your local district, fire protective association, fire department, or air protection authority to learn about current burning restrictions or regulations, and if you need a permit.
   
• Know the weather—Burn early in the day and never burn on windy days, because fires can spread out of control more easily.
   
• Always have water and fire tools nearby—When burning, have a shovel and charged water hose or a bucket of water on hand to put out the fire.
   
• Clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the pile—Make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above.
   
• Keep burn piles small—Large burn piles can cast hot embers long distances. Keep piles small, maximum of four feet by four feet. Add debris to the pile in small amounts as the pile burns.
   
• Burn only yard debris—State laws prohibit burning materials, treated wood or trash that create dense smoke or noxious odors.
   
• Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to start or speed up your fire.
   
• Stay with the fire from start to finish—NEVER leave your debris burn unattended. State law requires monitoring debris burn piles at all times, until it is out cold. This law is intended to ensure sparks or embers that jump from the fire can be put out quickly.
   
• Put the fire out cold/completely—Drown the pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again, repeating until the fire is cool to the touch.
   
• Recheck burn piles—Return to the burn site periodically over several weeks to check for heat or smoke and refrain from adding new yard debris on top of old ashes. Burn piles can retain heat for several weeks and rekindle when the weather warms up and winds blow.
   
• Costs of run-away debris burns—State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires all year. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you may have to pay for suppression costs, as well as the damage to your neighbors’ properties, which can be extremely expensive.

As the summer fire season quickly approaches, consider putting off any burning until next fall or winter, when conditions are more favorable. Just cover a portion of the pile with plastic, such as a tarp, to keep dry until you decide to burn. Delaying your burn plans will give the debris more time to cure and prevent spring holdover fires.

More tips on wildfire prevention, including campfire safety, motorized equipment use, and fire-resistant landscaping can be found on the Keep Oregon Green website. Find public use restrictions for Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands before your burn.

 

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is calling on citizens to take action in restoring a cherished landmark that has long been neglected.

The Oregon Caves Chateau, a six-story structure completed in 1934 adjacent to the ancient marble cave system, has been closed since 2018 for essential repairs that have yet to occur, partly due to escalating costs and the identification of new, more severe problems with the building.

On Wednesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the chateau to its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2025, a decision that advocates hope will finally motivate action regarding the deteriorating landmark.

The Oregon Caves Chateau is the first site in Oregon to be featured on the annual “endangered places” list since the program began in 1988, as reported by the organization. In a statement on Wednesday, Governor Kotek expressed her support for the initiative, which has gained momentum in recent months, spearheaded by the Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau, Travel Southern Oregon, the National Parks Conservation Association, Restore Oregon, Visit Grants Pass, and the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, which represents the communities of Cave Junction, Wilderville, and Kerby.

A reminder, residents of Oregon must now obtain the new Real ID cards for flying on domestic air flights here in the U.S. as well as international flights. The new driver’s license has special markings on it. A passport or a Real ID Driver’s License will be necessary for boarding domestic flights within the United States.

Individuals applying for a Real ID must present original documents that verify their identity, date of birth, and lawful status in the U.S., along with two documents that confirm their residence.

The new cards can be identified by a star located in the upper right corner. According to Chris Crabb, a spokesperson for Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services, those who are just beginning the process of obtaining a Real ID are unlikely to meet the deadline, as appointments are scheduled weeks in advance and DMV offices have experienced significant wait times recently.

In the first week of January, there were 5,000 Real ID appointments available throughout Oregon, while last week saw an increase to 14,000, Crabb noted. Individuals seeking walk-in appointments may face lengthy waits. As of last month, approximately 37% of Oregonians with driver’s licenses—nearly 1.4 million individuals—had received a Real ID, according to the Oregon DMV.

Passengers with scheduled flights can still board using a passport. For those who are just beginning the application process, Crabb advises remaining calm; unless there are imminent travel plans, a Real ID is not immediately necessary.

 

The Oregon Dept. of Forestry reminds Oregonians that with the summer months approaching and wildfire risk already on the rise, be sure to take action now as 2025 fire season begins to take shape.

This is the month when our homeowners and property owners need to be thinking about preparing and protecting their property as best they can for the upcoming wildfire season.

Wildfire seasons in the West are becoming longer and more destructive. Last year, Oregon experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record.

A total of 1,956 fires burned more than 1.9 million acres, often as counties waited for Gov. Tina Kotek to declare conflagrations and get firefighters working and planes with retardant in the air.  Six megafires tore through large swaths of land. Nearly 500 critical fire personnel were brought in from out of state and Canada to assist with firefighting efforts last summer.

And this year is expected to be worse. Although Oregon received ample moisture over the winter and maintains a strong snowpack in higher elevations, forecasters anticipate hotter and drier-than-normal conditions heading into July and August, with peak fire danger expected in September and October.

State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said early coordination and communication across jurisdictions is essential to battling the upcoming fires.

“It takes every level of government, and every person, to help us keep fires small and away from communities,” she said. “It starts with preparedness.”

Federal assistance, both from firefighters on the ground and financial help, is an essential part of the state’s strategy. Kyle Williams, deputy director of fire operations with the Oregon Department of Forestry, said there they are not expecting fewer federal resources this summer.

 

Mushroom permits available for Klamath National Forest

YREKA, Calif.— 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.  

 

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.

 

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