Klamath Basin News, Wednesday, 7/9/25- Elk Fire Near Bonanza At 500+ Acres; Marble Complex Fire Update in Rogue Valley; Summer Complimentary Summer Meals For Kids Available Thru Ore. Dept. of Education Website

The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald and News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance. Call them at 541-882-6476.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Red Flag Warning in effect all day until 9PM in the Klamath Basin.

Today
Sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 9 to 14 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Overnight, clear with a low of 53 with gusty winds 10-23 mph.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 94. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Saturday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Sunday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines

Elk Fire Update, Wednesday, 8AM – 500+ Acres – No Containment

BLY MOUNTAIN, OR – The Elk Fire was reported Tuesday at 10:44 AM in the Bly Mountain area, about 8 miles north of Bonanza. The fire continues to burn actively on private land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and on Fremont-Winema National Forest land, approximately eight miles north of Bonanza, Oregon. Level 3 Evacuation areas include Kla-1741(added this morning), along with 1737 yesterday. 

EVACUATION UPDATE, AS OF 12:45pm WEDNESDAY:
  https://share.watchduty.org/i/54958?ts=1752086997000
  https://app.watchduty.org/i/54958

As of this Wednesday morning, the fire is estimated at approximately 500 acres with 0% containment. The fire was first reported late Tuesday morning and remains under investigation.

This morning at 7:00 a.m., the South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the incident. A Type 1 ODF Incident Management Team has been ordered and is expected to take command for day shift tomorrow morning.

Firefighters worked through the night constructing indirect dozer lines around much of the fire perimeter. A task force from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, consisting of five structure engines, provided structure protection throughout the night. Multiple structures remain threatened at this time.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing evacuations in the affected area. Residents are urged to stay informed about evacuation levels and be prepared to act quickly. For the latest evacuation information, please visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search

The American Red Cross has established an evacuation shelter at:
Living Springs Church, 31897 Mission Street, Bonanza, OR 97623

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for Klamath County, due to abundant lightning and dry fuels. The public is strongly urged to use extreme caution and avoid any activities that may cause sparks or fires.

Motorists should be aware of increased fire traffic in and around the Bly Mountain and Bonanza area and are asked to drive cautiously for the safety of firefighters and the public.

For the latest information on fire restrictions and updates, visit:
https://www.scofmp.org  or follow on Facebook: facebook.com/SCOFMPFireInfo

 

9:00am- The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Incident Management Team 1 (IMT 1) to the Klamath-Lake District to manage the Elk Fire in the Bly Mountain area. This is the second ODF IMT deployment in the last 24 hours.

After multiple days of lightning strikes in the area, the firefighters in the Klamath-Lake District have been working nonstop. In support of the district, ODF IMT 1 will take over the Elk Fire so that local resources may focus on extinguishing new ignitions and smaller fires in the district.

“Our firefighters have been all hands on deck after 10 straight days of lightning, which has stretched our local resources thin,” ODF Klamath-Lake District Forester Teresa Williams said. “With the help of ODF IMT 1, we’ll be able to regroup, reassign resources and continue protecting our communities from wildfire.”

The fire is currently estimated to be over 1,000 acres. ODF IMT 1 will in brief at 5 p.m. tonight and take command of the fire at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized a local task force yesterday to protect nearby structures and those resources demobilized that evening. For up to date evacuation information, follow the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office or visit the following official site: https://protect.genasys.com/search.

“The professionalism, expertise and adaptability of our IMTs mean that we can answer the call within 24 hours to help our fellow Oregonians and their communities through any emergency,” said ODF’s Protection Division Chief Michael Curran.

 

A remarkable and inspiring artwork has been officially installed at the Southside Bypass Roundabout (the intersection of Homedale Rd and OR 140).

This magnificent sculpture has been a long-held aspiration, in development since the autumn of 2019, and it is genuinely delightful to witness it materialize into such a vibrant reality. This beautification initiative was a partnership involving Healthy Klamath, the Oregon Department of Transportation, Diversified Contractors Inc, Klamath County, the City of Klamath Falls, and Sky Lakes, with the project managed from conception to completion by Healthy Klamath Project Manager Kelsey Mueller Wendt.

The focal point of the installation is a majestic eagle, skillfully designed and crafted by the esteemed artist Stefan Savides. It stands proudly atop a 10-foot pedestal, marking his largest work to date. Surrounding this impressive sculpture, the carefully curated landscape design by Four Seasons Landscaping enhances the overall artistry and elegance of the installation.

This beautiful addition truly embodies Klamath’s commitment to improving its public spaces and enriching the local art scene, transforming the roundabout into a genuine landmark of beauty and pride for our community.

 

The Klamath Childcare Learning Center, proposed for the Klamath Community College campus, has recently been awarded a $2 million grant from Business Oregon, bringing it closer to realization.

This center, a collaboration between KCC, the Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC), and Klamath County, is designed to be a 29,000-square-foot facility that will serve up to 145 children in a daycare school environment. It will feature 12 flexible classrooms for children and 2 classrooms dedicated to KCC’s Early Childhood Education program.

Additionally, the center will include two ADA-compliant playgrounds, a fully equipped kitchen for nutritious meals and snacks, and safe curb-to-door bus access. The OCDC will oversee the daily operations of the center. Daycare services will be available to KCC students, staff, and the general public.

This facility is set to become the largest daycare center in Klamath County and the second largest in the state. The estimated construction cost of the building ranges from $18 to $22 million. KCC has already secured most of the necessary funding, with further financial support expected through a community-based capital campaign launching in the fall, as well as ongoing efforts to obtain additional grant funding.

 

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.

 

CITY STREET WORK THIS WEEK

Asphalt Crews will be working from 4 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. through July 10, 2025 as follows:
Wednesday 7-9-2025: Grind and pave Main between 5th and 6th street traffic will be down to 1 lane.
Thursday 7-10-2025: 5th Street between Klamath Ave. and Main Street traffic will be down to 1 lane.
Paint Crews:
Paint crews will be working from 3 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. through July 10, 2025 as follows:
Tuesday 7-8-2025 through Thursday 7-11-2025: Painting Crosswalks and legends on Washburn from 3 a.m. till 7 a.m. then painting crosswalks curbs and legends around Klamath Union High School, Pelican Elementary School, and Conger Elementary School.
Signs and Sweeping Crews:
Signs and sweeping crews will be working from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. July 7 through July 10, 2025 fixing signs and sweeping citywide as needed.
All work is weather-dependent. Please use caution while traveling in work zones.

 

Chiloquin Visions in Progress (CVIP) has been awarded a grant of $31,285 from the Oregon Tourism Commission, also referred to as Travel Oregon.

This funding is intended to boost tourism in Chiloquin and North Klamath County. The region, recognized for its closeness to Crater Lake and various natural attractions, will be featured in a new marketing campaign. This initiative will promote Chiloquin’s cultural heritage and local points of interest, such as Train Mountain Railroad and Collier Memorial State Park.

The campaign will encompass promotional videos, print advertisements, and online marketing. These initiatives aim to emphasize the area’s natural beauty and cultural legacy. For additional details, please visit the website of Chiloquin Visions in Progress.

 

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.”

Around the State of Oregon

Marble Complex INCIDENT UPDATE 7-9-2025
– Summit Fire and Jacket Fire

Marble Complex: 515 acres – 5% containment
Total Personnel: 420
Jacket Fire: 46 acres – 51% containment
Summit Fire: 465 acres – 13% containment 
Current Situation:Following several days of active suppression work on the Marble Complex, firefighters continue to make headway under challenging conditions on the Klamath National Forest. The complex includes the Summit and Jacket Fires, which are both burning in steep, remote terrain characterized by snags, thick vegetation, and lingering heat.
The operational focus remains split between holding progress made on the Jacket Fire and expanding containment on the Summit Fire, where fire behavior remains more active. A combination of air and ground resources are being utilized to contain these fires.
Summit Fire: The Summit Fire has grown to 465 acres, continuing to challenge crews with rugged terrain and heavy fuels. On the northern edge, progress was made completing direct handline from the east near the PCT all the way to the far west end of the fire. This line will continue to be strengthened in the days ahead. On the southern edge, hazards like snags and steep, broken terrain have prevented safe direct attack. In that area firefighters have shifted to preparing an indirect control line, clearing vegetation along identified control features to begin building a buffer between the advancing fire. Helicopters are supporting ground crews not only with water drops but also by using infrared cameras to detect heat sources that may not be visible from the ground. This technology helps pinpoint hidden hotspots, allowing firefighters to navigate directly to those areas and ensure they are fully extinguished.
Jacket Fire: The Jacket Fire has remained quiet, with the total acreage updated to 46 with 51% containment. Crews are working along the fireline interior, extinguishing all remaining heat sources and strengthening the perimeter containment. Today’s operations are centered on finalizing containment by targeting isolated pockets of residual heat, with firefighters conducting thorough mop-up around the fire. The important task of suppression repair work has also begun now that containment has increased.
WeatherFire activity remains shaped by warm, dry weather. While today will see slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity, it will only last for a day. A warming trend will take hold, with even hotter and drier conditions forecasted in the days ahead.
Forest Closures & Restrictions: A Forest Closure Orderis currently in effect due to the Summit Fire. Residents and visitors are asked to avoid these areas and remain vigilant of changing fire conditions.
Evacuations: Evacuations in place for the Marble Complex are viewable atsiskiyoucounty.gov/emergencyservices.
For more infor, contact California Complex Interagency Incident Management Team 9

FireInformation: 530-395-1268, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.        
Email: 2025.MarbleComplex@firenet.gov

 

 

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing two structural task forces from Benton and Lane counties to the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon through Immediate Response and another group to the Elk Fire in Bonanza, Oregon area.

The agency is surging capacity as local structural and wildland firefighters have been busy responding to wildfires on Tuesday. 

“Much of Oregon is being challenged by recent heat, Red Flag Warnings, and more lightning in the forecast,” Chief Deputy Travis Medema said. “The local fire agencies in Southern Oregon are stretched, and we are using the power of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to bring in extra help.” 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is continuing to monitor the situation and adjust aid as needed. Immediate Response allows the agency to send resources without having the Emergency Conflagration Act invoked. The goal of this response tool is to surge resources to keep fires small and away from communities, preventing costly wildfires. 

With the forecast calling for more lightning and hot temperatures in the extended forecast, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is asking all Oregonians to do their part in preventing human-caused wildfires. Oregonians can find wildfire prevention and preparedness information and resources at https://preventwildfires.oregon.gov.

 

 

Oregon’s minimum wage increases by 35 cents per hour beginning this month. 

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.

 

Klamath National Forest reminds visitors of Summit Fire area closure

YREKA, Calif., July 8, 2025 — An emergency area closure was implemented on July 3rd, 2025 due to the Summit Fire in the Marble Mountain Wilderness. The Summit Fire is part of the Marble Complex. The closure area is primarily within the Wooley Creek drainage and extends into the Shackleford drainage, which includes the area around Cliff, Campbell, and Summit Meadow Lakes. A section of the Pacific Crest Trail, including the Shackleford Trailhead, is included within the closure area. The entirety of the closure area is within the Marble Mountain Wilderness.

The order is in place through July 17, 2025, but is subject to extension if necessary.

To provide for public safety during the ongoing Summit Fire, the emergency closure prohibits the following acts:

  • Going into or being upon any National Forest System lands within the Summit Fire Closure Area
  • Being on any National Forest System trails within the Summit Fire Closure Area.
  • Being on any National Forest System roads within the Summit Fire Closure Area
  • Entering or using any Developed Recreation Sites within the Summit Fire Closure Area

For a complete forest order and a map of the affected area, visit the following link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath/alerts/summit-fire-closure.

For more information about the Marble Complex visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caknf-2025marble-complex

As fire season deepens, forest officials urge the public to be cautious with anything that can start a wildfire. It only takes one spark from an unattended campfire, a ricocheting bullet, driving on a flat tire, or dragging a trailer safety chain to start a wildfire.

 

MEDFORD, Ore. – Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) detectives are investigating the Medford Police Department (MPD) officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday, July 4 in Hawthorne Park.

As part of the MADIU investigation, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO)and Oregon State Police detectives arrived on scene shortly after the incident. JCSO has taken the lead in the investigation. It is standard protocol for an outside agency to take the lead in officer-involved shooting investigations. 

Approximately 8 AM on Friday, July 4, an MPD officer encountered a suspect with a felony warrant along the Bear Creek Greenway in Hawthorne Park. The suspect, Salvador Alex Sanchez, 55, a Medford area transient, was wanted for two counts of unlawful use of a weapon for an incident that occurred earlier this year. The MPD officer called for backup when Sanchez became uncooperative and armed himself with a large, fixed-bladed knife.

Sanchez ignored several requests to drop the knife and advanced at an officer on scene. The officer fired their handgun, striking Sanchez. Officers quickly provided aid to Sanchez and a Mercy Flights ambulance arrived in less than five minutes. Sanchez was transported to a local hospital where he remains in custody in the intensive care unit in stable condition.

On Monday, July 7, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Sanchez for attempted first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, and attempted second-degree escape related to this incident. A Jackson County Grand Jury is scheduled to convene to consider those charges and to decide whether the use of deadly force against him was justified under Oregon law. The two officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, pending that Grand Jury determination, which is standard protocol in Jackson County.

More information will come from the District Attorney’s Office following Grand Jury. There is no further information available for release at this time.

 

Oregon Army National Guard Soldier assigned to BRAVO 1-168 Aviation gives the ‘thumbs up’ as she helps prepare a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at the Pendleton Army Aviation Support Facility, May 6, 2020. Approximately 60 members of the unit are traveling to Fort Hood, Texas as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

LEGISLATIVE SESSION RESULTS IN NEW BENEFITS FOR OREGON NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS

SALEM, Ore. – This legislative session, the Oregon legislature and Gov. Tina Kotek continue to show their support for the Oregon Military Department through ongoing efforts to provide benefits to help strengthen the Oregon Army National Guard.

Two specific initiatives for recruiting and retention support went into effect on July 1, 2025. The first is a $5,000 bonus for a three-year extension for Guard members who have completed their initial enlistment and have not completed 17 years of service. The second is the Enlistment Enhancement Program. This is an agency-funded program where current Guard members and retirees can receive $2,000 payments for any recruitment leads that result in an enlistment into the Oregon Army National Guard. 

In addition to these benefits, the Oregon National Guard offers State Tuition Assistance, which provides tuition assistance for serving Guard members enrolled in an eligible Oregon postsecondary institution and now offers instate tuition rates to Oregon Guard members who live out of state.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ashley Vela, 173rd Fighter Wing weapons oad crew chief, monitors as Staff Sgts. Quinten Green and Samantha
Kloss, 173rd Fighter Wing weapons, load live 20mm bullets into an F-15C Eagle at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 25, 2024. Additional precautions must be taken when loading live ammunition into the aircraft, making this training essential to ensuring that weapons Airmen are prepared and mission ready. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar)

“The Oregon National Guard is on track to increase strength by 2% by the end of the fiscal year, but were still more than 1,200 members short of reaching full strength,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs for the Oregon Military Department.

The Oregon National Guard is authorized to have approximately 8,100 service members, consisting of 2,300 Air and 5,800 Army National Guard members.

“These initiatives assist with the Adjutant General’s goal to make the Oregon National Guard the Service of Choice for Oregonians,” Bomar said.

 The approved legislative actions for the Oregon Military Department this session were met with nearly unanimous bipartisan support.  Some of those highlights include:

  1. SB 807 – One-time General Fund of $2.5 million towards Retention Bonus Program:
    1. Allows the Adjutant General to pay a bonus to a member of the Oregon National Guard who re-enlists or extends their service
  2. SB 798 – In-state tuition rates apply to Oregon National Guard service members who live out of the state of Oregon.
  3. SB 808 – Provides hiring and promotion preference in public employment for current and former Oregon National Guard members
    1. Adds 5 points to current and former state service members’ scores during interviews and 10 points for disabled veterans
    2. Provides equity for Oregon National Guard members who did not meet the previous statutory definitions to receive the preference
  4. SB 5505 & SB 5506 – Authorization for three Capital Construction Projects for the Oregon National Guard
    1. Southern Oregon Field Maintenance Shop – $6.6 million
    2. Klamath Falls Readiness Center – $2.0 million
    3. Albany Armory Service Life Extension Project – $7 million
  5. SB 5533 – Solution to a long-term funding issue for OMD IT Division and the Portland Air National Guard (PANG) base

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.  CLICK HERE

 

Lightning-ignited wildfires are currently raging across Southern Oregon this week, with two active blazes in Lake County during the extended holiday weekend.

The Black Canyon Fire, which is the largest of the three wildfires, was initially reported late Tuesday morning when a 1-acre fire was detected on Hart Mountain Refuge, as per information from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). This wildfire is situated just east of the burn scar from the 2024 Warner Peak Fire. Within a span of two hours, around 1 p.m., two single-engine air tankers were dispatched to combat the fire, according to radio communications.

Roads in the vicinity remain closed, including Blue Sky Road that connects the refuge and headquarters. May Lake Road is also closed.

 

Oregon’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), is making updates to its food package today to improve nutrition and broaden choices for families throughout the state.

The revised WIC food package incorporates the most recent nutrition science and is in accordance with globally recognized healthy dietary patterns. This represents the third revision of WIC foods in the program’s 50-year commitment to enhancing family and child health. The previous update to the WIC foods occurred in 2009, which introduced enhancements such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

The current update builds upon that advancement by increasing access to nutritious foods for families across Oregon. There will be more fruits and vegetables, now including fresh-cut herbs. A broader selection of protein and plant-based options will be available, featuring fish choices for all children and adults; a greater variety of cheese types, including sliced, string, and shredded; new yogurt brands with lower added sugar; new plant-based milk options; and new nut and seed butters.

Expanded choices for whole-grain bread will include 100% whole wheat buns, bagels, pita, and naan, along with new gluten-free, whole-grain bread options. WIC now provides a dozen whole grains, including quinoa, teff, corn masa flour, and barley, among others.

 

Oregon’s construction sector experienced a swift recovery following the recession caused by the pandemic, reaching unprecedented levels due to significant public projects, industrial growth, and long-planned housing developments.

However, much of this construction work has now been finalized, leading the state’s construction industry to enter a downturn. Although construction employment remains elevated compared to historical averages — still surpassing pre-pandemic figures — there has been a 4% decrease in job numbers over the past year, as reported by the latest data from the Oregon Employment Department.

This decline is contributing to a wider downturn in the state’s labor market. Oregon is significantly lagging behind Governor Tina Kotek’s objective of constructing 36,000 new homes annually to satisfy the accumulated housing demand.

 

The left leaning group, Center for Biological Diversity, has announced that it has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for postponing essential protections under the Endangered Species Act for the Crater Lake newt, a distinct subspecies of amphibian that exists solely in Oregon’s Crater Lake.

The population of these newts has drastically decreased to as few as 13 individuals in recent years, which has led to the filing of this lawsuit that demands immediate federal action to avert their extinction. The organization argues that in the absence of protective measures, the newts, also referred to as Mazama newts, are at risk of an irreversible decline.

The swift decline in the newt population is linked to an ecological chain reaction triggered by human activities. In the late 1800s, fish were introduced into Crater Lake to enhance tourism, followed by the introduction of signal crayfish in 1915 to serve as a food source for the fish. Unlike their relatives, the Crater Lake newt, a subspecies of the rough-skinned newt, does not possess predator defense mechanisms such as neurotoxins.

Additionally, rising lake temperatures due to climate change have resulted in a surge in the crayfish population. These invasive crustaceans now prey on the newts and compete with them for food, dominating over 95% of the lake’s shoreline.

 

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is pleased to announce the appointment of George B. Lopez as the new Director of the Office of Tribal Affairs, effective July 7, 2025.

Lopez joins ODHS with extensive experience in tribal governance and community leadership. Most recently, he served as General Manager for the Klamath Tribes, where he led key administrative and community-based programs, managed a multimillion-dollar budget, and played a leading role in advancing tribal sovereignty and partnerships across education, public safety, and infrastructure development.

“This role is essential to ODHS’s continued collaboration with Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “George brings a deep commitment to Tribal communities and a strong track record of advocacy across Oregon. His experience will be a tremendous asset as we strengthen our government-to-government relationships. We’re excited to welcome him to the team and confident he’ll help advance our mission in meaningful ways.”

The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process and will ensure continuity in leadership and support for tribal engagement.

“I’m excited to take on this role and work with the Nine Tribes of Oregon, ODHS staff and leadership, and our partners at all levels,” said George B. Lopez, incoming Director of the ODHS Office of Tribal Affairs. “I’m committed to building strong relationships and supporting efforts that make a real difference for Tribal children, families and elders across the state.”

ODHS also extends its sincere thanks to Sherril Kuhns, who served as interim director. Her dedication to tribal affairs and leadership during this transition have made a lasting impact on the agency’s work with Tribal Nations.

For more information about the Office of Tribal Affairs and ODHS’s government-to-government work, visithttps://www.oregon.gov/dhs.

 

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board voted unanimously today to appoint Kaitlin Lovell as Director of the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL). Lovell will begin her four-year term in early August 2025.

Lovell brings more than two decades of experience in environmental policy, restoration, and natural resource law. Since 2007, she has led habitat protection and restoration initiatives for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, where her work has focused on environmental regulation, permitting, land use, and innovative financing strategies for large-scale environmental projects. She also played a key role in developing a publicly owned mitigation bank in Portland.

Earlier in her career, Lovell served as salmon policy coordinator and counsel for Trout Unlimited. She helped shape science-based state and federal policies and contributed to Oregon’s first recovery plans for salmon and steelhead populations in the Oregon Coast, Lower Columbia, and Willamette regions. She also worked as assistant university counsel at Cornell University.

Lovell holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School with a concentration in public law and a B.S. in environmental science from Bucknell University. She has served on several DSL advisory bodies, including the Elliott State Research Forest Board of Directors and a committee reviewing Oregon’s wetland and waterway permitting rules.

Lovell will begin her tenure by visiting communities across Oregon to hear directly from the people and partners DSL serves. As director, she plans to deepen the agency’s understanding of local needs and opportunities while strengthening relationships with Tribal Nations, local governments, and community partners and groups.

“The work of the Department of State Lands matters to every corner of Oregon,” Lovell said. “I’m committed to listening, learning, and building trust across the state so we can steward Oregon’s lands and waters together.”

“Kaitlin is a proven leader who understands how much healthy lands and waters contribute to a thriving Oregon,” Governor Tina Kotek said, chair of the State Land Board. “Her long commitment to public service makes her well prepared to lead DSL at a time when stewardship and long-term sustainability must guide our work. I know she will work hard to ensure DSL’s programs and services reflect the needs and values of all Oregonians.”

By Oregon law, the State Land Board appoints the DSL director to a four-year term. The director leads the agency in managing lands to benefit schools, protects waterways and wetlands, and oversees South Slough Reserve and the Elliott State Research Forest.

Vicki Walker, who served as DSL director from 2018 until her retirement on June 30, announced her intent to step down in December 2024.

Until Lovell begins her role in August, Deputy Director Bill Ryan will serve as interim director.

 


The Oregon State Fair is set to commence on August 22nd. This year, there will be a total of 11 concerts. Featured artists include the All American Rejects, Wynonna Judd, Cheap Trick, and the Beach Boys.

Attendance to the concerts is complimentary with general admission to the fair; however, reserved seating and VIP Plus Suite Seats can be purchased. Tickets are available for purchase on the Oregon State Fair’s official website. The fair will take place from August 22nd until September 1st.

Buy tickets and learn more at: https://oregonstatefair.org/

 

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