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Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Overnight, partly cloudy with a low around 36. West northwest wind 6 to 16 mph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around the State of Oregon

33 New Bills Signed Into Oregon Law Last Week

Governor Kotek signed 33 bills into law last week. Most involved amending language and the bureaucratic processes of agencies, though some update the privacy of certain people and jumpstart the movement on issues such as interstate passenger rail and permitting.

This list does not include laws filed with the Oregon Secretary of State or last year’s laws that just went into effect this month.

Here are the 33 bills Kotek signed into law:

HB 2978 – The law tells the Department of Transportation and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to create an advisory group in relation to a program to reduce cars hitting wildlife.

HB 2565 – The law allows the state to contract with some research firms that get federal grant money without having to follow state rules for contracting for goods and services. This goes into effect 91 days after the session ends.

HB 2373 – The law prohibits selling or offering for sale a timeshare without a license and establishes a real estate license for timeshare agents, directing the Real Estate Agency and Real Estate Commissioner to regulate and issue said licenses. An emergency was declared in order for this bill to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

HB 2170 – The law allows agencies State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Marine Board or the State Department of Agriculture to work with others — such as tribal government, local government or a local service district — to inspect boats for harmful animals and plants.

SB 465 – The law removes the annual cap on matching funds for individual development account (IDA holders) and creates a cap on total matching funds to account for the effects of inflation.

SB 851 – The law makes changes to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

HB 2073 – The law makes technical changes to certain state tax statues and goes into effect 91 days after the session ends.

HB 3141 – The law designates October 12 of each year Oregon Farmer and Rancher Day.

HB 3021 – The law makes changes to the laws of the unemployment and paid leave programs run by the Employment Department.

HB 2922 – The law allows State Parks and Recreation employees, such as park managers and park rangers, to keep their home address private in Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) records; the employer’s address will be listed instead.

HB 3034 – The law changes the funding and use of Emergency Housing Account programs.

HB 3115 – The law specifies that a person may not buy or sell certain winning lottery tickets, and thus, can’t deduct the purchase price for state taxes. The law also allows lottery winners to remain anonymous; their name and address cannot be released without written authorization. This goes into effect 91 days after the session ends.

HB 3041 – The law modifies the source of law that establishes the Educator Advancement Council from intergovernmental agreement to state statute.

HB 2347 – The law authorizes the Department of Land Conservation and Development to help tribes with planning assistance for housing production, as well as makes various technical changes to land use laws.

HB 3385 – The law exempts public records filed with a county clerk from the fee schedule.

HB 2163 – The law amends a part of the wildlife laws to allow people with a documented intellectual or developmental disability to fish and harvest shellfish.

HB 3386 – The law allows a deputy of a county clerk to perform weddings.

HB 2248 – The law makes new laws in regard to the Bureau of Labor and Industries, such as providing exceptions to the confidentiality requirement and allowing the agency to enter into interagency agreements with state agencies to receive certain business information. It also directs the agency to provide a report, due Sept. 15, 2025.

SB 809 – The law clarifies that the State Department of Agriculture may inspect poultry under the state’s meat inspection program.

HB 3233 – The law tells the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to team up with the state of Washington and Vancouver, B.C., to make plans for rail, as well as tells ODOT to report every two years to the Joint Committee on Transportation about the performance of passenger rail.

SB 166 – The law changes the term “member” of the Oregon State Bar to the term “licensee” of the Oregon State Bar, as well as changes some laws about the agency.

HB 2541 – The law provides certain agricultural workers with rights to breastfeed or pump in the workplace.

HB 3020 – The law makes betting on dog races illegal, which goes into effect July 1, 2027.

HB 2130 – The law updates the responsibilities of the Oregon Insurance Guaranty Association.

HB 3328 – The law would let Grant County use road fund moneys from federal forest reserves payments to patrol roads in the county.

HB 2461- The law makes some new rules for remote location testimony.

SB 168 – The law changes some laws that apply to a person’s estate after the person dies, such as required evidence to establish parentage and court procedures involving discovery when there is a contested issue in a probate proceeding.

HB 3022 – The law allows the Department of Revenue to share information to the Employment Department for the paid family and medical leave insurance program, among other changes.

HB 2802 – The law changes when a lump sum payment for permanent partial disability has to be made, in which the worker waives reconsideration of the notice of closure, or the award has become final by operation of law.

SB 167 – The law amends portions of the Uniform Commercial Code, which governs commerce among merchants, so that the law can now take account of new ways of making payments and doing business, such as with digital assets and electronic money.

SB 1189 – The law says that a treatment works can be built without a water quality permit if certain conditions are met.

SB 839 – The law modifies regulation surrounding commercial vehicles and modifies some language regarding to offenses.

SB 849 – The law changes how PERS, the state’s retirement system for public employees, uses the money in the School Districts Unfunded Liability Fund.

 

According to an audit report from the Secretary of State’s Office, Oregon’s demand for behavioral health services exceeds the state’s capacity to provide them.

Since 2000, the state’s suicide rate has consistently surpassed the national average, and it ranks 46th among states for adults with substance use disorders who required but did not receive treatment. Furthermore, the state’s behavioral crisis response systems only partially align with national guidelines and best practices.

The report, released on Thursday, offered recommendations for the Oregon Health Authority, emphasizing that enhancing behavioral health systems in Oregon could yield significant health and economic advantages over time.

Specifically, for every dollar invested in the prevention and treatment of youth mental disorders and suicide, there is a projected return of $24 in health and economic benefits over an 80-year period.

Additionally, the report highlights that limited data collection hampers the understanding of the need for services. The Oregon Health Authority has not adequately tracked the number of calls to the 988 mental health hotline and county crisis hotlines.

Although data collection from 988 callers commenced in 2022, county crisis lines still lack this capability. Moreover, the agency is unable to monitor demographic information of callers, including age, race and ethnicity, gender, and county.

 

A bus driver employed by the Lincoln County School District was taken into custody on Friday for allegedly attempting to lure a minor, according to police reports.

Josiah Lafrenz, aged 21, faces charges of luring a minor and second-degree online sexual corruption of a child following an investigation by the Lincoln City Police Department into inappropriate communications between Lafrenz and a student from Taft 7-12 middle and high school in Lincoln City.

The police department has informed the school district of the situation. Authorities believe there may be additional victims and encourage anyone with relevant information regarding the investigation to contact them.

 

Lake County Public Health is promoting creativity in local youth by providing complimentary after-school art classes for middle and high school students.

These classes will be held every Thursday from May 15 to May 29, 2025, allowing students to experiment with various art forms, such as painting and collage. For further details or to register, please contact lgutierrez@lakehealthdistrict.org or call 541-947-6045.

 

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. 

 

PORTLAND GANG LEADER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROLE IN DRUG TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY AND POSSESSING A WEAPON IN PRISON

A known leader of Portland’s 18^th Street Gang was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison Friday for his leadership role in a local drug trafficking conspiracy and for possessing a weapon while in federal prison.

Noah Herrera, 26, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, Herrera was a second-in-command leader of the 18th Street Gang in Portland, working regularly with the gang’s local leader, Gustavo Torres-Mendez, who was sentenced in May 2024 to 164 months in federal prison.

Together, the two men led various gang-driven activities including trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl in the Portland area. During this time, the 18th Street Gang was heavily armed and sold drugs acquired near the Mexico border in California to local buyers in and around Portland.

The government’s investigation exposed several major episodes in the gang’s activities. In August 2022, agents seized nearly nine pounds of methamphetamine after Herrera organized a transaction in Portland. Only weeks later, in early September 2022, federal agents monitoring the two leaders’ activities learned they and subordinate 18th Street Gang members had collected over $126,000 in cash after which Herrera and Torres-Mendez dispatched two members to California to purchase and pick up drugs. Agents monitored the return of the load vehicle, which was stopped near Grants Pass, Oregon, and over 104 pounds of methamphetamine and a smaller quantity of cocaine were seized. The methamphetamine was packaged in 56 separate plastic food containers.

On November 17, 2022, agents arrested Herrera and executed a search warrant at his Vancouver, Washington, home, where they found two loaded Glock pistols, ammunition, additional quantities of drugs, two scales with drug residue, a drug ledger, over $5000 in cash and several cell phones.

Agents also executed a search warrant at a residence in North Portland which had been used by the 18th Street Gang throughout the investigation as a meeting place and stash house. There, agents found and seized ten handguns in locations throughout the main rooms, a short-barreled shotgun, extended magazines, ammunition, body armor as well as additional drug evidence, packaging equipment and scales.

On September 25, 2023, while housed at FCI Sheridan pending trial, prison guards found Herrera in possession of a shiv (a six-inch sharpened piece of metal) prohibited by federal law.

On January 10, 2025, Herrera pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, and possessing a dangerous weapon in a federal facility.

This case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Thomas H. Edmonds and Nicole M. Bockelman, Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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