Monday, August 25, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Red Flag Warning in effect from Monday, Aug. 25, 1PM until 9PM.

Today
A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light north northeast wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph. Overnight, a 40% chance of showers and thundershowers with a low near 60 degrees. Norhtwest winds 9-1 mph.

 

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Around the State of Oregon

Oregon Secretary of State Rejects Trump Justice Department Demands For Voter Data

On Friday, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read rejected a demand from the U.S. Justice Department to turn over Oregon voter data to the federal government, saying it violates Oregonians’ privacy rights. 

Twice within a month, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice demanded that Oregon turn over a wide range of information, including the full name, date of birth, residential address and driver’s license number or partial Social Security number for every Oregon voter, to check for fraud on the voter roles.

They also asked Mr. Read to explain how Oregon maintains voter rolls, noting that vote-by-mail in our country has continued to reveal abuse on who is voting in American elections. 

In a response letter Thursday, Sec. of State Read said he saw “no federal authority” for the Justice Department’s request for voter data.  Some of that data is public record, and anyone can obtain a copy of a statewide voter list with a records request and a $500 fee. But those lists cannot include any voter’s birthday, Social Security number or driver’s license number. 

“Oregon allows for public access to certain voter-registration data, including a voter’s residence address and birth year, for a fee,” Read wrote. “There is no exception for the federal government.” 

Most day-to-day election work occurs at the county level, with elected nonpartisan county clerks or appointed election directors registering voters, mailing ballots and processing returned ballots. The Secretary of State’s Office enforces state election law, oversees county work, collects data and leads routine post-election audits. 

The July letter from the Justice Department described left leaning Oregon’s voter registration as “unusually high for several years,” as a report from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission noted that 95.3% of citizens 18 and older living in Oregon were registered to vote ahead of the November 2024 election. Nationally, just 73.6% of adult citizens were registered to vote, according to census data. 

Since 2016, the state has automatically registered adult citizens to vote when they obtain or renew driver’s licenses or state ID cards at the Motor Vehicle Services Division, and the number of registered voters rose to more than 3 million in the near-decade since the law took effect.  Some Oregonians have complained however, saying they were automatically registered as Democrats.

Last year’s presidential election had a 75.4% voter turnout in Oregon. Oregon voted in favor of losing candidate Kamala Harris 55.6% and voted 42.1% for Donald Trump.

Mr. Read, who like most state officials trying to protect Oregon’s sanctuary state status, was more explicit in a July email to Justice Department officials who asked for a data-sharing agreement, saying that he was uninterested in sharing information with federal officials who hadn’t demonstrated that they would protect the U.S. Constitution that he and they swore an oath to uphold. 

“I have no interest in sharing data with an administration that is willfully violating judicial orders and trampling on constitutional rights and responsibilities.  Nor do I wish to share data with an administration that appears to take glee in snatching people off the streets without requiring its agents to properly identify themselves or provide arrest warrants, or with an administration whose agents wait outside of day care centers, schoolyards and courthouses to improperly detain and deport Oregonians.”   Stay tuned.

 

Several lawmakers from Oregon convened with state officials and health care providers in Eugene last week to discuss growing health care issues throughout the state.

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, participated in discussions regarding the implications of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” for the residents of Oregon. Health care emerged as a significant topic, with Merkley labeling the bill a betrayal, asserting that it will favor the wealthiest Americans while imposing additional burdens on the less affluent.

Merkley indicated that in Oregon, the financial repercussions, encompassing both rising costs and reduced revenue, amount to an estimated $12 million reduction over a span of six years. During the forum, community leaders and health care providers had the opportunity to pose questions and express their concerns. No new plan was announced.

 

A town hall meeting organized by Democratic U.S. Senator Ron Wyden was abruptly interrupted in Southern Oregon due to disruptions caused by pro-Palestinian protesters.

Footage shared on TikTok captures approximately 20 individuals moving through the crowd at the town hall and in front of the podium at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass, chanting, singing, and shouting phrases such as “arms embargo now” and “Palestine will be free,” effectively drowning out Wyden’s efforts to address the audience through a microphone.

Additional video footage from the event depicts Wyden being escorted out of the community college gymnasium after the moderator, Randy Weber, who is the president of Rogue Community College, made multiple attempts to persuade the protesters to allow others to pose questions.

Initially, Wyden stepped away from the podium in the hope that the demonstration would cease, allowing him to continue speaking, as stated by Kelly Gonzales, a spokesperson for Rogue Community College. However, as the protest continued, it became evident that it would “hinder meaningful dialogue,” leading the college to announce the conclusion of the event.

 

Legislators are scheduled to reconvene in Salem on August 29 to deliberate on Governor Tina Kotek’s initiative aimed at increasing the gas tax and payroll tax to finance Oregon’s infrastructure and avert layoffs at ODOT.

The proposal seeks to raise the state gas tax by six cents, bringing it to a total of 46 cents per gallon, in addition to increasing title and registration fees. Furthermore, it plans to gradually implement a road usage charge for electric and hybrid vehicles beginning in 2027. There will also be a slight increase in the payroll tax designated for transit.

Notably, the plan intends to abolish mandatory tolling on significant state highways, with a public hearing scheduled for August 25 at the Capitol.

 

Oregon now one of the least favorable states for relocation

Oregon, with its sanctuary state status, growing homeless problem, growing high cost of housing and living, high income taxes, drug addiction problems, and a public education system facing pour student performance, funding, and staffing, has just been labeled as one of the least favorable states for relocation.

ConsumerAffairs has recently conducted a ranking of the best and worst states for moving. The findings indicate that Oregon, California, Louisiana, and New Mexico are among the least desirable states to relocate to.

Conversely, the top states for moving are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, and Virginia.

Medford Drug Bust Nets 40 pounds of Meth

The Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE) has been working diligently to get drugs and firearms off of our streets and out of the hands of criminals. Last week MADGE seized nearly 40lbs of Methamphetamine along with firearms and other controlled substances. We would like to highlight two of the larger cases.

After a 5-month investigation, MADGE detectives arrested 44-year-old Christopher Boyd Stevenson at his residence in the 400 block of B Street in Ashland. This lengthy investigation resulted in a search warrant being served on Stevenson’s residence where over five pounds of Methamphetamine was seized along with five firearms and three ounces of Cocaine. Stevenson is a convicted felon and was lodged on the drug possession charges along with firearms related charges.

Then, on August 12^th, MADGE investigators conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Juan Flores-Gutierrez. This traffic stop resulted in the seizure of 2 pounds of Methamphetamine. Investigators then located 32 additional pounds of Methamphetamine at Flores-Gutierrez’s residence in the 1200-block of West 8^th Street in Medford. This arrest was the result of a multi-year investigation into drug trafficking being conducted by Flores-Gutierrez from Southern California to the Medford area.

The MADGE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-support approach. MADGE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is composed of members from the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Point Police Department, Oregon State Police, the District Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation, the Assistant US Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.

 

The Grants Pass Downs is poised to commence its fall racing season with a 12-day meet beginning on Sunday, September 7.

As stated by the Horseman’s Racing Association, this event will present a combination of competitive racing, community activities, and family-oriented entertainment extending through mid-October. The Opening Day will highlight the Daily Courier Stakes and the Southern Belle Stakes, generating excitement at the track. Additionally, the season will feature Monday evening races accompanied by a “Twice the Fun for the Price of One” promotion, starting on September 8.

On September 14, the track will host the Rex on the Rogue Dino-Races, a fundraising initiative aimed at supporting children who are battling cancer in Josephine County. A week later, on September 21, Ladies Hat Day will take place, allowing women wearing hats to gain free admission and compete for prizes across various categories. Community involvement will continue on September 28, with free entry available to patrons who donate canned goods to the Josephine County Food Bank.

Oktoberfest, scheduled for October 5, will introduce Bavarian elements with commemorative pint glasses and tastings.

 

House Bill Helps To Remove House Squatters More Quickly

A new state law designed to address the growing issue of squatting in Oregon has been introduced. House Bill 3522, which was signed into law earlier this year, aims to provide law enforcement and property owners with essential clarity and authority in managing illegal occupants.

This legislation will come into effect in January 2026. The new law grants police the ability to take more immediate action in evicting individuals who are unlawfully occupying a property, eliminating the need for the protracted legal procedures that were previously required to differentiate between a squatter and a tenant.

This legislation represents a notable change in Oregon’s approach to illegal occupancy—striking a balance between the rights of property owners and due process, while also addressing loopholes that have permitted squatters to exploit legal ambiguities. As the law is set to be implemented in 2026, homeowners throughout the state are optimistic about achieving quicker resolutions and experiencing fewer legal complications in the future.

 

Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his spouse, Penny Knight, have contributed $2 billion to the Oregon Health and Science University, marking a record-breaking philanthropic initiative in their ongoing efforts to transform care for cancer patients.

This announcement was made during a press conference held at the Knight Cancer Center at OHSU. The purpose of the donation is to enhance diagnostics and improve access to clinical trials at OHSU, while also simplifying the process for patients and their families by providing additional resources and therapies.

The Knights, along with their foundation, have a long history of supporting OHSU, including the establishment of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. Additionally, the couple is involved in another initiative aimed at funding research known as the Knight Cancer Challenge, which commenced in 2013, where they pledged to match donations in a bid to raise $500 million for OHSU.

 

Parking fees are set to rise at Oregon State Parks this year. Beginning on October 1st, parking fees will be implemented at 21 state parks where they were previously exempt.

This list includes popular destinations such as Beverly Beach, Face Rock, Sunset Bay, Bullards Beach, Harris Beach, and Valley of the Rogue State Parks. Oregon Parks and Recreation indicates that these new fees are essential to address a 14% budget deficit and to sustain current service levels. Furthermore, overnight camping fees will increase next summer at the 29 most frequented parks throughout Oregon.

This encompasses Alfred A. Loeb, Cape Blanco, Humbug Mountain, and Umpqua Lighthouse State Parks. Beverly Beach, Bullards Beach, Sunset Bay, Harris Beach, and Valley of the Rogue State Parks will experience increases in both parking and camping fees. For additional details, please visit the Oregon State Parks website.

 

More Oregon Gas Taxes and DMV Fees Coming Your Way

Governor Tina Kotek has unveiled a proposal aimed at tackling the transportation crisis, which over the years serving in the Oregon legislature, she is partly responsible for creating.

The funding strategy encompasses an increased gas tax and DMV fees to avert layoffs and sustain services. The proposal seeks to ensure sufficient funding for the State Highway Trust Fund during the 2025-2027 biennium without diminishing emergency funding for other critical issues, such as wildfire suppression.

The revenue sources include a $0.06 increase in the gas tax (raising the total to $0.46), an additional $42 for vehicle registration, a rise in title fees, and a 0.1% increase in payroll tax.

A detailed examination of the revenue sources is available here. Half of the revenue generated from these measures will be allocated to preventing layoffs within the Oregon Department of Transportation. The remaining state highway funds will be distributed to counties and cities across the state according to the traditional 50/30/20 allocation.

Should additional revenues not be secured during a special session, layoffs are scheduled to commence on September 15, with a subsequent wave anticipated in January 2026.

 

• Stay informed sign up to receive evacuation at, ORAlert.gov remember to update information if need be.
• Find the websites for your county emergency management, sheriff’s office, or tribal police and follow them on social media.

 

Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.

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