See Road Camera Views around the Klamath Basin:

Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at  Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine

Around the State of Oregon

Oregon Gov. Kotek approved $5 million to Oregon food banks late last week ahead of the SNAP cutoff that happened on Saturday, November 1st.

Food banks across Oregon have warned that they do not have enough resources to absorb the impact of this ongoing government shutdown.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Wednesday declared a state of emergency over hunger and directed $5 million to food banks across the state, seeking to avert the impending November loss of food stamp benefits for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians under the federal government’s ongoing shutdown. 

Kotek’s emergency declaration gives authority to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to coordinate with local governments, nonprofit organizations and private companies to “respond and mitigate the impacts of this emergency.” It calls for “essential protective measures” from the Oregon Department of Human Services to address food insecurity, while directing the agency to provide financial assistance to those facing hunger due to the loss of SNAP benefits.

The order lasts until the end of the year, unless the federal government distributes benefits or Kotek changes its terms herself. 

“It’s unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington, D.C.,” Kotek said in a statement. 

About one in six Oregonians, the majority of whom are children, disabled or seniors, rely on SNAP for food assistance.

Kotek’s declaration comes one day after the federal government shutdown hit its four-week mark with Democrats voting no unless they get $1.3 trillion returned to the budget, most of it seen as waste by Republicans in Congress who simply offered a clean CR bill.  Sen. Chuck Shumer and Democrats are still refusing to back off their demands to restore subsidies for states under the Affordable Care Act, meant to be only temporary during Covid, that were rolled back under the GOP’s tax and spending law.

Gov. Kotek drew upon $5 million from federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to support the state’s network of food banks. That money is unspent from previous years and “can support short term crisis benefits without creating new ongoing requirements, which is ideal for this emergency,” the governor’s office said. 

 

Oregon CCB Investigators Visit Over 400 Jobsites In Search for Unlicensed Contractors 

Salem – The Oregon Construction Contractors Board is investigating 68 potential violations after investigators visited 429 job sites looking for unlicensed contractors. This effort, which took place between October 13-24, was a part of a joint effort taking place over many states, coordinated by NASCLA (National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies). State licensing agencies associated with NASCLA all conducted their own efforts during this time.

During the event, CCB Field Investigators from around the state acted independently and in teams to discover unlicensed contractor activity. Efforts like this occur multiple times a year in different regions to show strong presence in the field and act as a deterrent for illegal construction activities, like working without a CCB license.

The findings:

• 25 percent of the proposed violations were in connection with advertising, bidding, or working without a contractor’s license.
• The majority of remaining proposed violations included:
  • Lead-based paint violations
  • Working with employees on the jobsite while in exempt status. In some of these cases, the contractor may not have the required workers’ compensation policy.
• Other violations span a range including no workers’ compensation insurance and no Assumed Business Name associated with the license (ABN).

A typical first-offense penalty for working without a license is $1,000 with subsequent violations resulting in fines of up to $5,000.

“During sweeps, we focus on a designated region and the entire team combs cities looking for anyone breaking construction law. Unlicensed contractors can undercut the bidding process, which could have negative repercussions for homeowners and licensed contractors,” said CCB Enforcement Manager Vena Swanson. “Unlicensed contractors are notorious for using methods that don’t meet industry standard, using sub-par building materials, and leaving homeowners at risk to pay workers compensation claims that occur on their property. Coordinated sweeps deter this illegal activity, while giving us the opportunity to find it and cite it.”

Who Needs a CCB License?

Anyone who repairs or remodels, as well as those who build new homes or businesses, must be licensed with the CCB. Contractors working on homes built before 1978 need special licensing and training to handle lead-based paint.

CCB encourages all homeowners to check their contractor’s license before starting a home improvement project. Licensed contractors have a bond and insurance that offer some financial protections to the public. Also, homeowners may be able to get help from the CCB to resolve construction-related disputes if they use properly licensed contractors.

Consumers can check a contractor’s CCB license online at http://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/

Contractors and consumers can report unlicensed contractors and other illegal activity or verify licenses on the CCB’s website. Or, call 503-378-4621 to verify a license.

Learn more about how to have a successful project at www.oregon.gov/ccb.

 

Deschutes County, Ore. (Oct. 31, 2025)- On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 2:45 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97, at the intersection with Highway 370, in Deschutes County. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Ford Escape, operated by Sheila Ann Nordman (85) of Redmond, attempted to cross Highway 97 and entered the path of a southbound BMW 3S, operated by Sebryna Denise Parry (21) of Terrebonne. The operator of the BMW attempted to stop but struck the Ford nearly head-on.

The operator of the Ford (Nordman) was declared deceased after being transported to an area hospital.

The operator of the BMW (Parry) and passenger, juvenile female (2), suffered reported minor injuries.

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation.

 

Pressure is mounting on Governor Tina Kotek to endorse the transportation funding bill that was approved during a special legislative session.

For weeks, Kotek has refused to sign the bill and has ignored it.  Two Democratic state senators, Janeen Sollman and Jeff Golden, are imploring the Governor to sign the bill, expressing concern that any delay could undermine public trust.

The Governor has a period of 30 business days following the session to sign the bill. Republicans are eager to present it to voters but are unable to begin gathering the 78,000 signatures required until the Governor provides her signature.

Should they successfully collect the signatures, it would prevent the bill from being enacted until the General Election in November 2026.

 

Christine Drazan is once again announcing she will campaign to run for Governor of Oregon.

The former leader of the House Republicans declared her candidacy once again, as she is determined to save the demogratically controlled state of Oregon, which is gets a failing grade in most any area that counts, such as local economies, jobs, eduation, health care costs and crime and public safetly. Drazan stated “This race will be about you.”

Drazan ranks among the most prominent Republican figures in Oregon. She previously contested the gubernatorial election in 2022, narrowly losing to Democratic nominee Gov. Tina Kotek by less than 4%.

Gov. Kotek’s term will be up in November of 2026 where she must be re-elected to stay in power.  The state’s most pressing problems continue to include persistent crises in housing and homelessness, widespread public safety concerns involving crime and drug addiction, and signs of a weakening state economy. Job growth is near an all-time low in the state.

Recently, she was appointed to occupy a vacant seat in the Oregon Senate. Her announcement may pave the way for a rematch with Kotek, who is anticipated to seek reelection but has not yet disclosed her intentions. Drazan’s aspirations for higher office were well-known among political insiders in Salem. According to three Republican sources, she convened a meeting regarding this matter with trusted lobbyists last week.

 

Warm Springs Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

A Warm Springs, Oregon, man made his first appearance in federal court last week after being charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury following a shooting on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

Carlos Ralph Miller-Smith, 31, has been charged by criminal complaint with involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to court documents, on October 25, 2025, Warm Springs Police Department officers were dispatched to a shooting at a residence within the exterior boundaries of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the temple. A witness identified Miller-Smith as the shooter. Miller-Smith was detained and placed in a patrol vehicle. The victim succumbed to their injuries the next morning.

Miller-Smith made his first appearance in federal court yesterday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Warm Springs Police Department are investigating the case. Pamela Paaso and Kate Rochat, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, are prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

Oregon Employment Department Announces Intent to Award Contract for Workforce Modernization Project

Marine Board Urges “Check Email” for Motorboat Registration Renewal Notices

The Oregon State Marine Board will be emailing motorboat registration renewal notices to boaters who have email addresses on file whose registration expires on December 31, 2025. Each renewal notice is unique to the owner and their boat. Owners are encouraged to take advantage of the online renewal option, and the email has detailed instructions for using the Boat Oregon Store. For boaters who do not have an email address on file with the agency, renewal notices will be sent via US Mail and should arrive by mid-November.

The fastest way to get on the water is to renew online through the Marine Board’s Boat Oregon Store, which provides a printable temporary permit to go boating right away. Owners can renew multiple boats or purchase Waterway Access Permits in one transaction for a $1.50 portal provider fee. The registration decals are mailed within 2-5 days from online sales and within 7-10 business days from the date of receipt by US mail with payment and the remittance coupon. Owners can then expect an additional 2-4 weeks for their decals to arrive by US Mail. The timelines may vary since printing and mailing are handled outside the agency.

Any watercraft with a motor or sailboats 12 feet or longer are required to be titled and registered with the Marine Board. Early bird online sales begin on November 1. Motorboat registration feesare $8 plus $5.95 per foot and are issued on a 2-year calendar basis for 2026. Renewing in the fall or early winter months is recommended to avoid long delays during the peak summer season.

Nonmotorized boaters of kayaks, canoes, rafts, drift, stand up paddleboards, and their inflatable versions can also purchase waterway access permits through the Boat Oregon Store. A 7-day permit costs $6, an annual permit is $20, and a two-year permit is $35. Annual and two-year permits are also valid for one or two calendar years. Paddlers are encouraged to purchase permits early in the year to get the most use out of them and to explore the bounty of waterways in the state. Because permits can be saved or printed immediately, they make great “stocking stuffers” for the holidays, especially if you plan on gifting someone a boat. Permits are transferable to other paddlecraft, and children under 14 are exempt.  

Visit the Boat Oregon Store help pagewith videos and written instructions on how to navigate the store to renew your motorboat registrations or purchase Waterway Access Permits. 

 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public input on the draft of the 2026 Oregon Recreation Trails Plan, which outlines recommendations to improve trails over the next 10 years.

The statewide plan highlights trends and issues to create priorities for grant funding and other recommendations for actions. The plan covers all motorized and non-motorized trails on public lands and waterways in Oregon, not just within Oregon State Parks. This includes hiking, biking and equestrian trails, motorized ATV trails, snowmobile trails and water trails.

Public feedback on the plan will be open from Oct. 30 to Nov. 28. Oregon Parks and Recreation notes that input on the plan also provides guidance to federal, state and local agencies as well as private sector partners.

Information used for the drafted plan comes from multiple sources, including statewide surveys conducted in October 2024 and April 2025, follow-up focus groups in May and the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

 

The United States Postal Service has announced its official mailing deadlines for the 2025 holiday season, assisting customers in planning ahead to ensure timely delivery of their cards and packages.

For those sending items within the contiguous 48 states, the following send-by dates are recommended:

December 20 for Priority Mail Express, the quickest domestic shipping option offered by USPS. USPS advises customers to ship early, use trackable services, and consider acquiring insurance for valuable items.

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