Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
A chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am, otherwise mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Overnight, showers expected, with a low near 50. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Klamath County Foundation Garden Statue Design Contest!

• Entries must be submitted by Saturday, Nov. 1 at 5pm.
• Your design should celebrate libraries, reading, imagination, nature, and/or community.
• Dimensions: Designs should be up to 5 feet wide and between 4 feet and 8 feet tall.
• Materials: The statue will be outside, so it must be weather-resistant and affordable (think concrete, resin, repurposed metal scrap, etc.) The materials should contrast with the statue’s planned surroundings of plants and the tan brick of the downtown Klamath County Library.
• You only need to submit a design mock-up, not the finished statue! You don’t even have to have the ability to fabricate your idea, as long as you demonstrate your vision in your concept art well enough for someone to build it.

Win 2 Nights Lodging in Oakridge and enjoy “Oakridge Rocks The Park!”!  Coming Oct 18th!

Click here to win 2 nights stay in Oakridge!

 Click here for more info on the event.

Around the State of Oregon

Oregon senators have returned to their home state following an unexpected delay in the current special session. However, for taxpayers, the financial clock continues to tick.

According to state law, members of both the House and Senate are entitled to a per diem of $178 while in session — a daily allowance they receive even when legislators are not actively legislating. When Senate leaders announced last Tuesday that they would be taking a two-week break to allow Sen. Chris Gorsek to recover from health issues, they inadvertently secured two additional weeks of payments.

These per diems contribute approximately $75,000 to the session’s initially projected cost of around $86,000. This situation is somewhat uncomfortable, especially as Democrats are advocating for a bill that will increase expenses for Oregonians. The pressing question now is how lawmakers will handle the funds.

Initially, Senate Democrats explored options that would permit their members to voluntarily decline their pay. However, legislative attorneys informed them that this was not feasible, as a spokesperson indicated. This is due to the language in Oregon statute, which states that lawmakers “shall receive” these payments.

 

ODOT Work Slow, Funding Still A Problem For Personnel

Funding the state transportation department remains a persistent source of frustration for Oregonians and their legislature, regardless of political affiliation.

Minimal funding and the employment of hundreds of personnel at the Oregon Department of Transportation are still uncertain as the state Senate delays voting for an additional two weeks. The House approved a temporary bill with the necessary three-fifths majority on Labor Day, with the Senate anticipated to conclude the special session with a decisive vote on Wednesday.

However, circumstances shifted when Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham) was unable to attend due to recovery from a medical procedure. In Gorsek’s absence, the anticipated margin of ‘yes’ votes in the Senate was deemed too narrow to ensure the bill’s passage, prompting senators to delay for two weeks in hopes of Gorsek’s return.

Rep. E. Werner Reschke (R-Malin) remarked that it is not standard practice to defer voting due to a legislator’s absence. Reschke emphasized that the majority of public testimonies were strongly against the proposed 6-cent gas tax increase, as well as the registration, title, and road use fees.

The current economic outlook appears grim in Oregon, with the latest report indicating a loss of 25,000 jobs statewide last year.

 

Currently, the newest COVID-19 vaccines are accessible solely to Oregonians who possess a prescription; however, physicians in the state are reluctant to request these vaccinations.

Currently, the newest COVID-19 vaccines are accessible solely to Oregonians who possess a prescription; however, physicians in the state are reluctant to request these vaccinations. Until the committee provides its recommendation, state regulations prevent pharmacists from administering the vaccines to anyone lacking a prescription, even to individuals for whom the vaccine has been authorized.

Additionally, physicians are also hesitant to prescribe or administer the new COVID-19 vaccine in the absence of an official recommendation from the CDC regarding the vaccine.

Courtni Dresser, who serves as the vice president of government relations for the Oregon Medical Association, stated that the reluctance of doctors to prescribe the vaccine “originates from a place of caution and concern” due to the absence of clear directives from both the federal and state governments.

 

Due to the Kelsey Peak Fire and the Moon Complex, the Bureau of Land Management Grants Pass Field Office, along with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, has implemented an emergency closure affecting a section of the Rogue River Trail.

The public is strongly advised to refrain from using the entire trail. Entry into closed areas is strictly prohibited for the public, and all activities—including hiking, hunting, and dispersed camping—are not allowed. The Rogue River Trail is closed from Horseshoe Bend to Flora Dell.

For further details, please refer to the map available on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions

The Kelsey Peak and Moon Complex fires are currently active in steep and challenging terrain. This closure is necessary to safeguard the public and minimize disruptions to firefighting efforts. Fire managers will evaluate the closure and its implications in accordance with effective risk management practices as conditions permit. Weather and fuel conditions continue to be conducive to the spread of fire. The BLM Medford District is currently experiencing extreme fire danger.

 

A large number of individuals gathered at a Marion County Commission meeting last week to voice their opposition to a lawsuit initiated by the county following the receipt of ICE subpoenas requesting information regarding parolees.

Detractors assert that this case jeopardizes Oregon’s established sanctuary law and may instill fear among immigrant workers, whereas commissioners contend that they require legal clarity due to the conflicting demands of state and federal regulations.

Commissioner Danielle Bethell supported the action, stating that only the judiciary has the authority to determine which laws should be adhered to, although opponents argue that it squanders local tax funds and undermines protections approved by voters.

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer during ongoing protest activity near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.

Devin P. Montgomery, 49, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.

According to court documents, on the afternoon of September 4, 2025, Federal Protective Service (FPS) observed Montgomery operating an Unmanned Aircraft System, also commonly described as a “drone,” in a temporary flight restricted area near the ICE facility in Portland. The FPS advised Montgomery that flying a drone above or around the federal facility was prohibited due to the restriction imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Montgomery ignored FPS’s instructions and continued to operate the drone in the restricted area.

Federal officers approached Montgomery, who became belligerent with the officers and began cursing at them. After his arrest, Montgomery spit in an officer’s face.

Since June 13, 2025, a total of 26 defendants have been charged with federal offenses committed at the ICE building, including assaulting federal officers, arson, possession of a destructive device, and depredation of government property.

Montgomery made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings.

Felony assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to 8 years in federal prison. 

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

President Trump has indicated that Portland may soon be another city to receive National Guard troops, referencing protests reoccurring outside the city’s ICE facility.

During a press briefing on Friday, Trump stated that Portland is facing “destruction” and promised to “stop that very easily,” although he did not provide specific details.

Mayor Keith Wilson countered this assertion, stating that Portland police are already effectively managing the demonstrations and upholding the city’s sanctuary status. Additionally, Oregon’s attorney general has cautioned that the state is prepared to contest federal overreach in court. Trump has previously deployed Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., where these deployments have faced legal challenges but then allowed by the courts.

 

The Ashland Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into a homicide that occurred on Sunday.

Both police and paramedics responded to a report regarding an individual lying on the ground near ‘A’ Street and North 2nd Street. As per the authorities, the victim, who has been identified as 40-year-old Matthew Mark Vandersande, was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect, who was observed fleeing towards North Pioneer Street, has not yet been identified. The Jackson County Major Assault/Death Investigation Unit is actively engaged in the investigation. This unit comprises personnel from various local and state agencies. They suspect that the shooting was a targeted attack rather than a random occurrence.

Authorities are requesting public assistance in gathering more leads. Anyone possessing information or surveillance footage from the vicinity between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM is encouraged to reach out to Detective Sergeant Rick Spence at 541-552-2172 or the Ashland Police Department Tip Line at 541-552-2333.

 

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson have announced the establishment of a new West Coast Health Alliance aimed at ensuring that residents are safeguarded by scientific evidence rather than political influence.

This alliance signifies a coordinated regional effort to counteract the Trump Administration’s undermining of the U.S. CDC’s credibility and scientific integrity.

Since its inception, the CDC has played a crucial role in safeguarding Americans from diseases. However, according to Kotek, recent changes in leadership, diminished transparency, and the exclusion of long-respected advisory bodies have weakened the agency’s ability to prepare the nation for the respiratory virus season and other public health issues. In the absence of clear, evidence-based vaccine guidance, manufacturers are left without dependable information for production planning, healthcare providers find it challenging to deliver consistent care plans, and families are confronted with uncertainty regarding access and coverage.

These three western states continue their political disapproval of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his decision to dismiss all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

 

Five individuals have been apprehended in Jackson County as part of a coordinated operation against child exploitation, spearheaded by the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET).

These arrests stem from a thorough investigation aimed at combating the online distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The suspects, whose ages vary with the youngest being merely 19 years old, are confronted with a total of 39 felony charges for promoting child sexual abuse, which includes 30 counts in the first degree and nine in the second degree. Investigators report that search warrants executed at various locations uncovered over 800 images of child sexual abuse material. Notably, one suspect was discovered to possess nearly 700 illicit images on their own.

The arrests took place in Medford, Ashland, White City, and Eagle Point. Additionally, one suspect is currently detained in Missouri and is awaiting extradition to Oregon to face charges associated with this investigation.

 

An Oregon City couple, who failed to call 911 when their newborn ceased eating, experienced difficulty breathing, and subsequently passed away, were sentenced on Monday to just 30 days in jail as part of a deal that mandates they seek regular medical care for their surviving children.

Blair and Taylor Edwards belong to the Followers of Christ Church, a secluded sect that adheres to a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, which assert that the sick should be anointed by elders and that faith will provide healing.

Members of this group subscribe to the belief that death, when it occurs, is the will of God. For decades, child fatalities have been a persistent issue among Followers of Christ members

 

A prominent advocate for the movement to abolish vote by mail in Oregon asserts that it is gaining momentum, while detractors argue that it still has a considerable distance to cover.

Initiative 37 has reportedly collected a minimum of 25,000 signatures since July 25, according to chief petitioner Ben Edtl, a Republican political consultant based in Tualatin.

To qualify for the November 2026 ballot, the initiative requires over 156,000 verified signatures by July 2, as stated by the Oregon Secretary of State. Supporters have raised nearly $9,000 to date but have expended close to $12,000.

Oregon initiated trials of a vote-by-mail system in the 1980s, eventually becoming the first state in the nation to officially implement the system. Since that time, seven additional states and Washington D.C. have adopted similar measures.

 

EMERALD ASH BORER BEETLE HAS BEEN FOUND IN MULTIPLE NEW SITES THIS SUMMER, INCLUDING PORTLAND

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a tiny green beetle from eastern Asia that is having a devastating impact on ash trees in North America, including northwest Oregon. 

Across the U.S., millions of ash trees have been killed by the larvae of this pest. The larvae eat tissues under the bark, eventually killing infested trees.

First found in Oregon in 2022 at a school in Forest Grove, this summer the beetle showed up in traps in six new areas. Five of the sites were within the existing EAB quarantine boundary.

A trap was placed this summer at a sixth site in Multnomah County after Peter Van Oss, a private arborist with Teragan and Associates, noticed an ailing green ash tree in the parking lot of the David Douglas Aquatics Center in the Hazelwood-Mill Park area. Van Oss suspected it might be infested with EAB and alerted officials.

City and state officials then inspected the tree Van Oss had reported and saw signs of EAB infestation, such as dieback at the top and serpentine gallery marks under the bark. A single adult insect was trapped and sent to the United States Department of Agriculture, specifically to the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Laboratory in Maryland, which confirmed it was EAB.

The other new sites where EAB was found this summer are:

• Hazeldale Park about a mile west of Beaverton
• Killin Wetlands Nature Park near Banks in western Washington County
• Five miles northwest of the town of Yamhill in Yamhill County
• Three miles southeast of Oregon City in Clackamas County
• Bureau of Land Management-administered land east of Scotts Mills in Clackamas County

“The pattern of spread in the eastern U.S. has been that populations at first increase slowly and the rate of natural spread is slow,” said Cody Holthouse, Manager of the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program. “But within a few years there is a rapid build-up in the population and it spreads in all directions at a faster pace. That’s exactly what we’re starting to see with these detections.”

Holthouse said EAB is about half an inch in length and is hard to spot with the naked eye. It is not strongly attracted to traps, making early detections in novel locations difficult. “Finding one in a trap usually means there are quite a few already in that area,” he said.

Holthouse said the discovery in southeast Portland puts all of Multnomah County into the EAB quarantine zone. Other quarantined counties include Clackamas, Washington, Marion, and Yamhill counties.

“Quarantine is designed to prevent humans from spreading EAB by limiting movement of firewood or any other plant materials from ash, olive or white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus),” said Holthouse.

A full list of quarantine regulations can be found here.

 

Spirit Airlines will cease operations at Portland International Airport following October 3, as confirmed by both the company and the Port of Portland on Thursday.

The weak low-cost airline, which had previously reduced its flight offerings at PDX over the past year, according to the Port of Portland, will also terminate services at ten additional locations. This decision follows the company’s second bankruptcy filing within the last year. Some of its challenges have arisen from the difficult recovery from reduced travel during the COVID-19 pandemic years.

Additionally, the company has stated that it will no longer pursue the launch of new services in Macon, Georgia, which were anticipated to commence on October 16.

 

Public invited to visit September 11 Memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) invites the public to visit the September 11 Memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem this Thursday, Sept. 11, to commemorate the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The academy hosts a permanent display of artifacts from the attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers and 55 military personnel. In addition to the lives lost in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of first responders have succumbed to illness as a result of their heroic rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

Guests are welcome to view the memorial to honor the victims and all whose lives were impacted by the attacks. The gates of the academy, located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy. SE in Salem, will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for drop-in viewing. The memorial is located in the lobby of the academy; guests should follow the signs for the main entrance.

Artifacts displayed at the 9/11 Memorial include:

• A floor beam from either 5 or 6 World Trade Center, both of which sustained heavy damage in the September 11 attacks as the towers fell.
• A beam from the base of 1 World Trade Center, also known as the North Tower.
• A strap used to support mechanical systems in the towers
• A smaller floor beam from above the 50th floor of one of the Twin Towers
• A piece of aluminum used in the outer “skin” of one of the towers
• A piece of limestone facade from the outer wall of the Pentagon, taken from near where the aircraft impacted the building

The artifacts are accompanied by a video tribute to the first responders and victims, a painting by artist Ricardo Salazar which depicts the attacks on the World Trade Center, and the flags of New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, which are displayed in memory of the lives lost in each of those states.

In addition to the 9/11 Memorial, the Oregon Public Safety Academy campus is home to memorials honoring the state’s fallen law enforcement officers and fire service professionals. The Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial honors 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s, and the Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial honors 182 fire service personnel who have died in the line of duty since 1881. DPSST holds annual memorial ceremonies to honor the officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

 

Blue Fire Update, South of Ashland in Klamath National Forest
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Structure Protection Continues 

Blue Fire: 3,609 acres; 33% containment
Email: 2025.Blue@firenet.gov
Personnel on the fire: 741
Online Fire Info: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caknf-blue-fire-klamath-national-forest

• Evacuation Orders are in effect for Zones SIS-1007-A, SIS-1117 and SIS-1118-B.
• Evacuation Warnings are in effect for Zones SIS-1007-B, SIS-1118-A, SIS-1118-C, and SIS-1233-A.
• The latest evacuation information can be found at https://protect.genasys.com
• Klamath National Forest Closure Order for the Blue Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-
publication/caknf-blue-fire-klamath-national-forest/blue-fire-closure-order-08-31-2025
• Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services for fire-related resources and general safety information.

 

BEND, OR — The 2025 High Desert Rendezvous—the High Desert Museum’s largest annual fundraising event—has set a new record, grossing over $700,000 to support the Museum’s exhibitions and programs.

The event, now in its 36^th year and considered one of the longest-running fundraisers in Central Oregon, took place at the Museum on Saturday, August 23. Attendees met wildlife, explored the Art in the West exhibition, enjoyed living history activities and gathered for a sumptuous dinner and live auction. The previous record-setting Rendezvous was in 2024.

The 2025 Rendezvous Honoree, the Tykeson Family Foundation, contributed to the event’s success. The Foundation makes a profound impact in Central Oregon through its steadfast dedication to education, health care and the arts. Led by Amy Tykeson, the former CEO of BendBroadband, the Tykeson Family Foundation supports the Museum’s many programs and initiatives.

“The Museum continues to make a tremendous impact in the region. We were honored to be recognized and are proud to play a role in furthering the important work underway for all of us to learn, convene, reflect and understand,” said Tykeson, who serves as managing trustee for the Foundation.

“We’re extraordinarily grateful to the Rendezvous attendees, the Tykeson Family Foundation, our Board of Trustees and this amazing community who have contributed to the ongoing work of this museum,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “This generosity helps us continue to grow our amazing exhibitions, educational efforts and programs to serve this dynamic region.”

Founded in 1982, the High Desert Museum brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum every year opens up to nine new temporary exhibitions, cares for over 100 animals and welcomes thousands of school children for field trips. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, nearly 220,000 people visited the Museum.

The 2025 High Desert Rendezvous was presented by Bonta Gelato and Ferguson Wellman Wealth Management with support from Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Vista Capital Partners.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

The High Desert Museum opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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