Friday, September 12, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm northeast wind to 6 mph. Overnight, clear, with a low around 49. 

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 Congressman Cliff Bentz has reintroduced legislation mandating that precise printed information accompany prescription medications.

The “Patients’ Right To Know Their Medication Act” stipulates a one-page standardized format containing FDA-approved details on the proper use of the medication. Bentz asserts that this will particularly aid rural patients who may not consistently have dependable internet access to research drug information.

He is confident that it will result in a reduction of errors and a decrease in hospital visits.

 

PORTLAND, Ore.— Defendant Julie Winters, 46, of Portland, made a first appearance in federal court yesterday after being charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer and resisting arrest.

According to court documents, on August 20, 2025, Winters became hostile when deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) attempted to place Winters under arrest for violating the conditions of her pretrial release for an earlier charge of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. Winters began to fight and resisted arrest.

After several minutes, the deputies were able to handcuff and escort Winters to a holding cell. A short time later in the holding cell, Winters had a medical incident, and the Deputy U.S. Marshals provided immediate care in her cell. The Deputy U.S. Marshals removed the restraints as they waited for additional medical personnel to respond.

As soon as the restraints were removed, Winters began fighting with the Deputy U.S. Marshals.
Winters grabbed a Deputy U.S. Marshal by the hair at the base of the scalp and began to whip
the Deputy U.S. Marshal around by the hair.

Winters was actually on pretrial release for a separate incident on June 24, 2025, for which she was
indicted on two counts of attempted assault on an officer and intimidation of a federal officer
with a dangerous weapon. According to court documents, on June 24, 2025, officers observed Winters attempting to light an incendiary device next to the guard shack of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. As Federal Protective Service officers engaged with Winters, she pulled a large knife from her backpack and began waiving the blade toward the officers. Winters threw the knife at
an officer, but it did not strike the officer.

Winters began to flee but an officer deployed a taser, bringing Winters to the ground. As officers attempted to secure Winters, she pulled a second large knife from her waistband. Officers finally disarmed Winters and arrested her.

Under the Trump Administration’s new FBI, the case is being investigated by the United States Marshal Service and the FBI and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.  A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

BLM TIMBER SALES TO OFFER NEARLY 40 MILLION BOARD FEET IN WESTERN OREGON

The FBI is seeking information from individuals who may have been victims of health care fraud.

Bene Market Group, Seguro Medico, Quick Health, and Arthur Walsh are currently under investigation. Last year, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation issued a cease-and-desist order against Seguro Medico. It is alleged that these businesses enrolled consumers in insurance plans without their consent, sent misleading and incorrect text messages, and utilized false claims in their sales presentations.

The FBI encourages victims to reach out to them.

 

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 last week. 

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, tfn.

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.

 

A Portland man made his first appearance in federal court this week 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.

 

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.

Firefighters continue to fight the fire with a combination of direct and indirect tactics. The main goals are
to strengthen containment lines on the east and northeast to protect Walker Creek and Seiad Valley
communities. Firefighters observed minimal heat on the east side of the fire and are focusing efforts along
the northern portion of the fire. Reduction in containment percentage is due to a data processing error.
Northeast winds forecast through the next few days could increase fire intensity in the southwest part of
the fire. Firefighters are building contingency lines along the Pacific Crest Trail to halt the fire if it grows
in that direction.

Recent rainfall has temporarily lowered the threat to homes. However, as conditions turn sunnier, warmer
and drier, the fire may become more active. Moderate drying and warming will continue through today
with lower relative humidity and temperatures up to 90 degrees.

While evacuation orders have been lowered to warnings, Klamath National Forest Closure Order 20-05-19
remains in effect. This closure includes the Pacific Crest Trail, Grider Creek Campground, and Forest
Roads 46N64, 46N68, 46N71, 46N70 and 45N71.

 

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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