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Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny, with a high near 89. Light west northwest wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph. Overnight, mostly clear, with a low around 54. North northwest wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
On Monday the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office carried out a search warrant at a location on Canadian Honker Lane in Sprague River, Oregon.
This warrant was issued following surveillance that indicated the presence of what seemed to be an illegal outdoor marijuana cultivation operation.
Two individuals were found at the scene and taken into custody:
• Tyler Cengiz, 34 years old
• Azure Felan, 34 years old.
Both individuals face charges for the following offenses: • Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (ORS 475B.337) • Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana (ORS 475B.349) The investigation verified the existence of 234 marijuana plants, which included: • 160 plants located within a greenhouse • 74 plants cultivated outdoors in a nearby field.
Moreover, one of the greenhouses had been processed prior to the execution of the search warrant. Water Theft Investigation: The marijuana plants were being illegally irrigated with water sourced from a domestic well. It is estimated that more than 85,000 gallons of water were unlawfully utilized to sustain the cultivation operation.
A separate investigation is currently underway regarding Unlawful Use or Appropriation of Ground Water (ORS 537.535). Deputies also noted considerable amounts of trash and debris on the premises, including plastic coverings and various waste materials, which raised environmental concerns.
The 173rd Fighter Wing, based at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, is set to conduct flyovers in celebration of Independence Day across the states of Oregon and California.
As stated by the Oregon Air National Guard, F-15 Eagle jets will be flying over several communities:
9:35 a.m.: Downtown Ashland, Ashland, Ore.
9:45 a.m.: City of Central Point, Central Point, Ore.
10:05 a.m.: City of Dorris, Dorris, Calif.
10:10 a.m.: Main Street, Klamath Falls, Ore.
10:20 a.m.: Lake of the Woods Resort, Lake of the Woods, Ore.
10:30 a.m.: Eagle Point, Eagle Point, Ore.
10:40 a.m.: Diamond Lake Resort, Diamond Lake, Ore.
10:50 a.m.: Port of Brookings Harbor, Brookings, Ore.
11:00 a.m.: Port of Gold Beach, Gold Beach, Ore.
11:00 a.m.: Harrisburg, Ore.
11:10 a.m.: Oregon Ave., Creswell, Ore.
11:35 a.m.: City of Chiloquin, Chiloquin, Ore.
These flyovers are expected to occur at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and at speeds reaching 400 mph. Nevertheless, alterations to the schedule may arise due to weather conditions or operational requirements.
Since 1941, the Oregon Air National Guard has been integral to national defense. Kingsley Field is home to the sole F-15C pilot training facility for the United States Air Force.
AirLink Service Returns
After a brief hiatus due to funding constraints, emergency helicopter services have returned to Klamath AirLink Critical Care Transport.
“This is an exciting day for us as we expand our capabilities with the addition of a new asset that builds on our long-standing commitment to serving the region,” said Deidre Heinrich, program director at AirLink CCT. “Bringing this helicopter into service means we can reach more patients and provide our community with even greater access to the critical medical care they need. It’s our mission to lighten the load for our first responders.”
Serving areas in Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho since 1985, AirLink CCT provides adult, pediatric and neonatal patients with emergency air medical transport by helicopter and fixed wing (airplane). Operating in the Klamath region since October 2012, in January 2024, the helicopter service ceased while revenue streams were sought. During the loss of helicopter service, AirLink CCT continued fixed-wing operations, operating seven days a week and 24 hours a day.
Stating that the service is a necessity for the Klamath Basin, Michaela Charlberg, a flight nurse with AirLink, further explained that EMS would have to ferry patients from either the scene of the incident or from Sky Lakes Medical Center to AirLink CCT’s hangar located at the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport. From there, a patient would be loaded onto a Pilatus PC-12 airplane and take off from the runway to touchdown at another runway to then be loaded onto another ambulance to be taken to a hospital.
“For inter-facility transport, having a rotor-wing aircraft (helicopter) easily cuts service time(s),” Charlberg said. “All we need is a helipad or a landing zone cleared and we can be in and out.”
Klamath AirLink CCT base manager and respiratory therapist Matt Brimmer said having the helicopter allows for access to rugged terrain and high altitude emergencies during variable weather systems across forests, farmland and mountain roads.
“Reclaiming our ability to fly into the often remote and rugged areas of the Klamath Basin was crucial,” Brimmer said. “Seeing this comeback would not have been possible without the support of Skylakes Medical Center and local fire departments and emergency service providers.”
To celebrate the return of its helicopter service, the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony early Tuesday morning.
Among the attendees was Klamath County Fire District 1 Chief Greg Davis, who spoke about the partnership between his organization and AirLink CCT.
“AirLink is an extremely important resource for the Klamath Basin. Their capabilities and impacts are numerous regarding emergent care. It means a lot that they’re back in full swing,” Davis said.
Based at the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport and co-located at Klamath County Fire District Station 5 near the Running Y, Klamath Air Link CCT serves all of Klamath and Lake County, western Modoc County and eastern Siskiyou County.
Predominantly used for interfacility transfers for critical conditions (cardiac, stroke, obstetrics), AirLink CCT also has the means to respond to vehicle crashes, drownings and ski accidents. Each AirLink CCT aircraft is equipped with ventilators, monitors, suctions, IV pumps, blood gas analyzers, neonatal isolates and LifePort systems for patient access and safety. Klamath AirLink CCT maintains a pilot and two healthcare professionals seven days a week with 25 staff regionally.
“Our determination to deliver the best care possible is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to ensuring that in times of crisis, help is not just a call away, but a quick flight away,” Heinrich said.
Firefighters have successfully halted the forward progression of the Polar Fire, which is currently stabilized at about 31 acres on Bly Mountain near Bear Lane.
Crews worked diligently the last few days and managed to completely establish a perimeter around the fire by evening. Firefighters remained on-site throughout the night to monitor and reinforce control lines. Two minor spot fires were identified and swiftly contained — the largest measuring approximately 20 feet by 20 feet.
All fire lines remained robust overnight. Firefighting resources present at the scene include: • 5 fire engines from the EOA strike team accompanied by a short squad of 5 • Two 20-person hand crews • 2 water tenders • 1 bulldozer • A Type 1 helicopter providing aerial assistance • Klamath County Fire District 5 aiding with structure protection and water supply Additional crews are on standby should the need arise.
As public interest increases regarding the future of Keno Dam—including demands for its removal to enhance fish passage for species currently migrating upstream of the previous Lower Klamath River dam sites—the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) is reaffirming the dam’s essential function within the region’s water system and urging federal agencies to uphold binding legal commitments that safeguard it.
Keno Dam, situated on the Klamath River just downstream of the Klamath Irrigation Project diversion works, is crucial infrastructure that facilitates flood control, water deliveries to roughly 100,000 acres of agricultural land, and wildlife habitat for two prominent national wildlife refuges.
In a letter dispatched yesterday to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, KWUA emphasized that the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is legally obligated by the Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement (KPFA), which requires the operation of Keno Dam to sustain upstream water levels for essential purposes including diversion, canal maintenance, and flood control.
Any alteration to this stipulation must receive approval from Reclamation and all Project contractor parties to the KPFA. Other stakeholders in the KPFA include Oregon and California, as well as the National Marine Fisheries Service. The KPFA further compels all parties to undertake every reasonable and lawful measure to prevent or mitigate adverse effects on land or water users associated with the Project resulting from species introduction, reintroduction, or habitat restoration. Despite being established for over 15 years, this obligation has been neglected.
KWUA endorses a transparent, science-driven assessment of fish passage possibilities at Keno Dam and has advocated for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to spearhead this initiative.
Farmers impacted by swarming grasshoppers and crickets will have the opportunity to apply for reimbursements for their financial losses once again this season.
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners announced the reinstatement of the financial assistance grant for grasshoppers and Mormon crickets stating “These unwelcome invaders pose a threat to the livelihoods of the county’s farmers and ranchers, the food supply, and the overall health of the ecosystem.”
Applications should be submitted to the Grasshopper Grant Committee, which will review them and provide recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. To apply, please visit klamathcounty.org/FormCenter/Board-of-Commissioners-7/Klamath-County-Grasshopper-Mormon-Cricke-121.
For 25 years, the Klamath County Library Service District has enriched the minds and hearts of community members through the pleasures of reading and much more.
In honor of this quarter-century milestone, Klamath County Libraries are providing the library passport program until the conclusion of summer on August 31. This passport program invites community members to embark on an adventure across the county, allowing them to visit each of the 11 branches that are currently operational and offering services.
The district was established in 2000 as a special taxing district following widespread voter approval in Klamath County, ensuring its sustainability for future generations. During the late 1990s, as Klamath County grappled with the repercussions of diminished OC&E timber revenues and the tax limitations imposed by Measure 50, the library system faced significant funding cuts. However, a ballot measure proposing to fund the libraries at a rate of $0.49 per $1,000 of assessed property value garnered an impressive 78% approval from voters in the special election of 2000.
Library Director Nathalie Naveau remarked that the establishment of the service district “transformed everything.”
KLAMATH COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – MAJOR WORK FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 30, 2025
Klamath County will have work crews at the following locations. Please use caution when in these areas and watch for flaggers. If you are able to avoid the work zones, please use an alternate route for your safety and the safety of Klamath County employees and our contractors.
Chip Seal Crew
June 30th – July 1st – Campbell Road
July 2nd – Bley-Was Heights
4:00 AM – Early Morning Broom Crew
July 1st – July 3rd – Campbell Road, Bley-Was Heights
Homedale Bike path – Work adjacent to Homedale Road south between Southside Bypass
(140) and Brett Way.
Intermittent road work on Homedale Road south – expect lane closures
See the following link for a map of roads to be chip sealed for the 2025 season, or log onto the Klamath County Public Works website at http://www.klamathcounty.org/734/Maps.
In general, flagging stations will be set up at the end of the work zone and delays will be 0 to 20 minutes for the motoring public. Our goal is to minimize the delay to the motoring public. Other minor work is occurring through the County but we are only listing the major items in this announcement. There may be adjustments of work schedules due to weather or other items outside of the County’s control (breakdown of equipment, material/resource availability, etc.)
Please do not contact the County if you do not see work occurring, it could be finished already or will be rescheduled.
Please drive slow through Chip Seal and Paint Stripe areas. This will reduce damage to the areas and reduce the probability of oil or paint getting on your vehicle. Klamath County Public Works and the Board of County Commissioners appreciate the motoring publics’ patience during the repair season for our local roads and bridges. If you have any questions regarding work, please contact the Public Works Department at (541) 883-4696.
IYS SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM
Last weekend, a few hundred families gathered at Kiwanis Park for the annual launch of the Summer Lunch Program by Integral Youth Services.
Various service organizations and nonprofits established booths for families to explore, including Healthy Klamath, Sky Lakes Medical Center, Klamath Behavioral Health, the Department of Human Services, and Klamath Community College.
Integral Youth Services and the Klamath Basin Food Bank offered nutritious meals to the families. The Summer Lunch Program aims to meet the nutritional requirements of low-income youth during the summer months by providing daily distributions of free USDA-sponsored nutritional lunches.
Distribution sites are available in both urban and rural locations. The Summer Lunch Program provides free daily meals to youth aged 1-18 from June through August. Integral Youth Services operates several sites across the city, including library locations and various neighborhood parks.
Find the closest Lunch site by clicking here
KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore- The 173rd Fighter Wing will welcome back the U.S. Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, for the Wings and Eagles Airshow and Kingsley Field Open House, July 19-20, 2025.
“The Wings and Eagles Airshow will showcase the Thunderbirds, with one aircraft being flown by a previous Kingsley F-15 instructor pilot,” said Col. Lee Bouma, 173rd Fighter Wing commander. This will be the first time since 2008 that the Thunderbirds have been featured in Southern Oregon.
The public is invited to enjoy a wide variety of civilian and military performers, which will be announced at a later date, and admission is free.
“Please mark your calendar and come share the weekend with us, enjoying military aviation,” said Bouma. “This is one way we can give back to our amazing community that supports us so well.”
The Wings and Eagles Airshow will be held in conjunction with the Sentry Eagle air-to-air combat exercise, one of the Air National Guard’s largest air-to-air exercises. This exercise provides military pilots of the National Guard, Active Duty and Reserve components a forum in which to test their flying skills.
Additional information will be shared on the 173rd Fighter Wing website at https://www.173fw.ang.af.mil/ and on the wing’s social media pages.
For more information about the Wings and Eagles Airshow or the Sentry Eagle air-to-air combat exercise contact the 173rd FW Public Affairs Office at (541) 885-6677.
Around the State of Oregon
July 4 is approaching, and AAA Oregon/Idaho forecasts that nearly 900,000 residents of Oregon are preparing to travel for the holiday.
Across the nation, more than 72 million Americans are anticipated to travel 50 miles or more for Independence Day. AAA predicts that most travelers from Oregon will be driving this year, with popular destinations including the coast and Central Oregon.
July 2 and July 6 are expected to be the busiest days for driving during this holiday period. To avoid heavy traffic, AAA recommends that you start your journey in the morning.
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) extends its heartfelt condolences following a tragic ambush on firefighters in Idaho.
In an official statement, ODF remarks: Fire is a family and a closely-knit community. As a neighboring state that has had the privilege of collaborating with Idaho’s firefighters, we are profoundly shaken, disturbed, and heartbroken for the families of those who lost their lives and those injured while serving their community.
The statement further underscores the extraordinary bravery required for wildfire duty and reaffirms ODF’s steadfast support for the Idaho agencies affected.
On June 29, firefighters who were responding to a reported brush fire near Canfield Mountain in northern Idaho fell victim to a fatal attack. Authorities report that the fire was intentionally ignited by a gunman who opened fire on the crew, resulting in the deaths of two firefighters and leaving another seriously injured.
In the subsequent hours, over 300 law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies initiated an extensive search of the area. The suspect was later discovered deceased on the mountain, with investigators believing that the individual took their own life.
Although Oregon legislators were unable to approve a transportation bill, numerous bills were enacted in Salem during this extensive legislative session.
A groundbreaking consumer protection package constituted part of the new legislation recently enacted into law. In order to combat rising utility costs, the Fair Energy Act revamps the rate-setting procedures for gas and electric bills, while the Fan Fairness Act addresses fraud and price gouging related to event tickets.
Ashland State Representative Pam Marsh (D) expresses her satisfaction with the progress made in housing initiatives. While it required some time, Rep. Marsh also conveys her contentment with the efforts made by lawmakers to secure funding sources aimed at enhancing the state’s resilience to wildfires.
The Oregon Legislature concluded its session on Friday without enacting a transportation bill. Governor Tina Kotek has stated that this will result in up to 700 layoffs at ODOT.
Kotek will begin the process of implementing these layoffs on Monday. The layoffs are set to take effect in July, coinciding with the start of the agency’s budget. The Governor had suggested a smaller bill aimed at generating revenue to sustain ODOT at its existing level, but that proposal also did not succeed in passing.
A proposal from the Trump Administration to merge wildfire fighting forces from various federal agencies into a single entity is encountering opposition from elected officials and Steve Ellis, the chairman of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, who dedicated part of his 38-year federal career to Klamath Falls and Lakeview.
“President Trump’s budget proposal for 2026 details intentions to establish a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service by integrating the wildfire resources currently spread across the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. The budget request indicates that the ‘dispersed nature’ of the federal wildfire program creates significant coordination and cost inefficiencies that result in sub-optimal performance.”
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service would be situated within the Department of Interior. The Forest Service, which operates under the Department of Agriculture, employs over 10,000 professional firefighters each year, accounting for more than half of the federal wildfire fighting workforce. In contrast, the Bureau of Land Management, the second largest wildland firefighting agency in the nation, employs fewer than 6,000 firefighters annually.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies attended to a report of a drowning incident last night at a swimming hole situated off Dead Indian Memorial Road, near Ashland. The next-of-kin has been informed.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. No suspicious circumstances were noted at the scene, and we will refrain from disclosing the decedent’s information to honor the family’s privacy during this challenging period.”
JCSO deputies were dispatched on Thursday, June 26, at 7:19 PM to the rock quarry reservoir located in the 500 block of Keno Access Road, outside of Ashland. The preliminary investigation indicated that a 19-year-old male reportedly fell from a cliff at the water’s edge and subsequently vanished into the deep water.
JCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) was deployed to recover his remains. Detectives from the JCSO Medical Examiner’s office arrived to conduct an investigation. Currently, there is no further information available regarding this incident.
Oregon’s minimum wage increases by 35 cents per hour today, resulting in the Portland area’s hourly minimum reaching $16.30. The state adjusts the minimum wage annually on July 1.
This year’s increase is set at 2.4% — the lowest since 2015. In 2015, the Oregon Legislature sanctioned seven consecutive annual increases in the minimum wage and mandated additional increases linked to the cost of living, starting in 2023.
With inflation subsiding last year, the rise in minimum wage is also reduced. Oregon is distinctive as it has three different minimum wage levels: a highest tier for the Portland area, a ‘standard’ tier for other urban and semi-urban counties (which will be $15.05 per hour), and a lower tier (which will be $14.05) for rural regions of the state.
All three tiers rank among the highest in the country and significantly exceed the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009.
The University of Oregon terminated the employment of 42 individuals last week, with additional layoffs anticipated in the upcoming months due to budgetary constraints, as stated by university spokesperson Eric Howald to the general media.
The 42 individuals were employed in the College of Arts and Sciences, which is the largest school within the university. This group included 11 faculty members along with staff from administration, human resources, communications, grants, and academic support.
These layoffs were implemented to address a deficit exceeding $3.5 million for the college in the current fiscal year, which concludes on Monday, according to Howald. In the forthcoming months, the University of Oregon is expected to implement further layoffs and possibly furloughs, as the institution confronts a budget shortfall estimated between $25 million and $30 million for the next fiscal year, Howald indicated.
A legislative proposal aimed at enhancing housing for seniors in Oregon is progressing towards the governor’s desk. House Bill 3589 seeks to establish a program dedicated to creating accessible residences for seniors and individuals with disabilities, in addition to offering technical support to developers.
An allocation of $24 million is set to be redirected from Oregon’s Senior Property Tax Deferral Program to finance this initiative. This bill is designed to complement House Bill 3506, which focuses on safety improvements for current homes. Senator Pam Marsh, a Democratic representative from Ashland and a primary sponsor of both pieces of legislation, emphasizes the necessity of infrastructure that can accommodate Oregon’s aging demographic.
Should it be enacted, Marsh indicates that the bill would mandate the Housing and Community Services Department to publicly monitor and report on the advancement of affordable housing development associated with this initiative.
Over 7,000 marijuana plants and 300 pounds of processed marijuana were confiscated during a raid conducted in Cave Junction.
The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team, collaborating with the FBI, Homeland Security, the IRS, and various other agencies, executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 31000 block of Redwood Highway.
Alongside the illegal marijuana, authorities discovered numerous violations of electrical, water, and solid waste codes, all of which may lead to civil forfeiture of the property. At the time of the search, the suspects were not located and remain at large. They are facing several charges, including unlawful manufacturing and possession of marijuana, as well as unlawful appropriation of water.
Complimentary summer meals are provided for children in need throughout the state, including at camps and various programs.
The Summer Food Service Program is an initiative by the Oregon Department of Education aimed at addressing the gap that students encounter when free school meals are not accessible. Foster children, those receiving SNAP benefits, and participants in other programs are eligible for complimentary meals at registered summer programs.
To find a list of locations, please visit the Oregon Department of Education website.
Owens Corning has announced the closure of a door components factory located in Prineville, resulting in the layoff of all 184 employees starting on August 25.
This marks the latest in a series of factory shutdowns and layoffs across Oregon, contributing to a significant decrease in manufacturing employment. Previously owned by Contact Industries, the Prineville facility has experienced a series of ownership changes in recent years.
Owens Corning, based in Ohio, acquired the plant as part of its $3.9 billion acquisition of Masonite International last year.
Megan James, a spokesperson for Owens Corning, characterized the closure of the Prineville facility as a “strategic business decision” in an email sent on Tuesday. The company informed state workforce officials that some employees will remain until November to facilitate the winding down of operations.
Since the fall of 2022, Oregon factories have cut nearly 14,000 jobs, leading to an overall decline of 7% in manufacturing employment. These job cuts encompass a variety of sectors, including clean energy, semiconductors, and traditional roles in forest products.
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