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.
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2025
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. South wind to 6 mph. Overnight, cloudy with a low around 29. Light and variable wind.
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
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union is embarking on a new chapter and will commence operations under the new name Sage Credit Union effective immediately, signifying the next phase in its nearly 90-year legacy of serving rural communities in the Western region.
According to a news release from the credit union, the National Credit Union Administration has granted approval for an expanded charter, enabling the credit union to broaden its membership beyond Klamath, Lake, Modoc, and northeastern Siskiyou counties to include additional communities in Eastern Oregon and Nevada.
The name Sage was selected to embody both the local landscape and the residents of the area. Officials from the credit union highlighted that sagebrush is a prevalent feature between branch locations and symbolizes a robust connection to the communities they serve.
They likened sage land to a challenging environment for cultivation, paralleling the effort and determination of previous generations who established their lives there. The credit union stated that the name signifies hard work, prudent decision-making, and deep-rooted connections.
This rebranding is part of a longstanding trend of name changes associated with growth. The credit union was established in 1936 as 4L Credit Union to cater to members of the Loyal Legion of Loggers and Lumbermen in Klamath Falls. The following year, it was renamed Weyerhaeuser Credit Union as membership grew to include mill employees.
In the 1960s, it adopted the name Forest Products Credit Union to better represent its service to the wider timber industry. In the 1990s, the organization transitioned to the name Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union after its charter was expanded to encompass anyone residing, working, or worshiping in Klamath and Lake counties.
Local Farmers Receiving Financial Aid From Trump Administration
Klamath Basin and Oregon farmers facing declining prices and disrupted export markets will receive $12 billion in federal assistance, intended to mitigate losses partially caused by retaliatory tariffs.
The majority of the aid — approximately $11 billion — is designated for row-crop farmers who cultivate essential crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton.
About $1 billion will be allocated to support specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Payments will be administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, with farmers eligible to apply by mid-December and potentially receiving funds as early as late February 2026. To be eligible, farmers must adhere to specific income criteria, typically under $900,000 in average annual income, and payments are limited to $155,000 per farm.
The Trump administration indicated that tariff revenue and USDA emergency funds will contribute to financing the program. Farmers have encountered increasing financial strain as foreign countries imposed tariffs in reaction to U.S. trade policies. China, a significant purchaser of U.S. soybeans, had drastically reduced its purchases, resulting in oversupply and decreased prices, but have since began to buy as many soybeans as in the past since a recent meeting of the the presidents.
Other crops, such as corn and wheat, experienced a drop in export demand, while specialty crops and perishable items like fruits and vegetables were impacted by elevated foreign tariffs and quotas.
Rocky Point has appointed its new fire chief. Shane Cartwright was sworn in and is now acclimating to his new responsibilities, having transitioned from a volunteer to the position of fire chief for Rocky Point Fire & EMS.
The board of directors is pleased to have filled the role, which had been unoccupied since June. Director Patricia O’Shay expressed that both the community and the board are delighted to welcome a chief who is also a resident of Rocky Point.
Cartwright will oversee a team of volunteers at Rocky Point Fire & EMS, serving a community of approximately 320 residents spread over 277 acres. Due to the service being primarily composed of volunteers and operating on a limited budget, the search for a qualified professional to assume the role of chief proved challenging, making Cartwright, a local resident with relevant experience and training, an ideal and fortunate choice.
Coming to the Ross Ragland Theater! Teen Theater: Charlotte’s Web
This exciting, new musical version of Charlotte’s Web brings a new dimension to E.B. White’s beloved classic. With music and lyrics by Charles Strouse (Annie, ‘Bye, ‘Bye Birdie) and book by Joseph Robinette (national award-winning children’s playwright) audiences will thrill to a musical score which includes “Eating,” Wilbur the pig’s humorous yet poignant song about growing up; “Who Says We Can’t Be Friends,” an enchanting duet between Wilbur and his new-found companion Charlotte, featuring all the story’s unforgettable animals in a hand-clapping, toe-tapping hoe-down; and “Summer,” a haunting, nostalgic chorus number which evokes a time and place from everyone’s childhood. This joyous musical offers your audiences a very special experience.
Adult: $12.00
Students: $7.00
Around the State of Oregon
Advanced practice providers, represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, have declined a preliminary contract agreement with Legacy Health and have opted to persist with their strike.
Union representatives assert that the proposed agreement did not achieve significant advancements and would result in providers being approximately 10 percent behind their counterparts in other healthcare systems. The strike has been in effect since December 2, as employees advocate for increased wages and enhanced working conditions.
Legacy Health has stated that it acknowledges the vote and intends to reconvene at the bargaining table.
Mount Ashland has officially opened its ski season, albeit with a disappointing level of snowfall. Despite receiving approximately a foot less than the required amount, Mount Ashland Ski Area is proceeding with limited terrain availability.
Currently, only the lower ski trails are operational, specifically the Sonnet and Lithia chair lift trails, while access to the upper mountain will be postponed until more significant snowfall occurs.
The staff at Mount Ashland acknowledge that it is not optimal for the remainder of the mountain to remain closed; however, they aimed to provide some level of service for all their visitors.
The future of the recently approved gas tax increase in Oregon remains uncertain as the Secretary of State examines nearly 200,000 signatures submitted by the organization No Tax Oregon.
Should a sufficient number of signatures be validated, voters will have the opportunity next November to determine whether to repeal the gas tax and other transportation-related fee hikes enacted by the legislature. Proponents of the taxes argue that the revenue is essential for road maintenance and to avert job reductions at the Oregon Department of Transportation.
State officials are required to finalize the signature verification process by January 29.
If you have not yet purchased your annual park passes for 2026, now is the appropriate moment to do so. From local state parks to federal public lands, the cost of annual passes has been rising as agencies strive for increased funding for recreational areas.
Some of these price hikes will take effect on January 1, leaving Oregonians with only a few more days to acquire passes at a reduced rate. Most outdoor recreation areas in the Pacific Northwest necessitate a parking pass of some sort. While certain passes can be obtained at trailheads and parking lots, others must be acquired in advance. For those who frequently engage in outdoor activities, annual passes offer a means to pay upfront for the year — potentially resulting in savings over time.
Oregon state park passes will see their prices double on January 1, increasing from $30 to $60 for a one-year pass. This fee will be even steeper for nonresidents, who will incur a charge of $75 due to the new out-of-state surcharge.
Furthermore, two-year passes will no longer be available for purchase after January 1 (passes bought prior to the new year will remain valid until their expiration).
Informational session on proposed state forests Forest Management Plan set for Jan. 6
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will host a virtual only informational session on a proposed rule change to adopt a new Forest Management Plan (FMP) for western Oregon state forest lands managed by the department.
The Jan. 6 session starts at 1 p.m. and will include a presentation outlining the purpose and proposed changes to the FMP. After the presentation there will be a question-and-answer period.
ODF staff will NOT take official public comments during this session, it is informational only. The public comment period began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. Comments can be submitted or given in person at any of four formal hearings in January. Comments can be submitted electronically. No question-and-answer period will be offered at the hearings.
To participate in the information session, use this link: Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan Informational Meeting. A recording of the session will be available on ODF’s website.
The proposed change to the FMP will replace the three current FMPs (Northwest Oregon, Southwest Oregon, and Elliott) with a single FMP for these forest lands. The ODF’s State Forests Division is pursuing an alternative method for compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act by applying for incidental take permits from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Fisheries. The incidental take permits will require the division to manage Oregon state forest lands in compliance with a habitat conservation plan.
The Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan contains guiding principles, goals, and strategies that are compatible with the Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan. The Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan provides management direction for all Board of Forestry Lands and Common School Forest Lands managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry west of the crest of the Cascade Range.
The FMP does NOT include the Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF). The ESRF is not within the scope of the draft Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan. There are scattered Board of Forestry Lands within and adjacent to the ESRF, along with scattered Common School Forest Lands outside of the ESRF that are still managed under prior Elliott State Forest Management Plan which will be managed under the new Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan, once adopted. The ESRF has its own management plan, under the authority of the Department of State Lands.
The Board of Forestry may review, modify, or terminate the FMP at any time; however, the BOF will review the FMP no less than every 10 years. The current Southwest and Northwest FMPs were last revised in 2010, while the Elliott FMP was last revised in 2011. More information about State Forests Management Plans can be found here.
Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 at 11:55 p.m. Rulemaking hearings will be held on Jan. 13 (virtual), Jan.15 (Forest Grove), Jan. 20 (Tillamook), and Jan. 22 (Eugene) at 5:30 p.m. The locations of the hearings are in The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The notice also includes important details including but not limited to the proposed rule text and instructions for submitting public comments and participating in the hearings.
More information on this rulemaking effort and ongoing updates can be found on the Rulemaking activity page of the ODF website.
PACIFIC POWER IS RESPONDING TO WEATHER-RELATED OUTAGES FROM STORMS
Pacific Power is monitoring stormy weather
Pacific Power encourages customers to always be prepared for outages and supports state and local emergency management organizations, who recommend Oregonians have an emergency plan for up to 72 hours without essential services.
Here are some simple steps customers can take to prepare and stay informed:
- Update your contact information so we can reach you.
- Sign up to receive outage alerts by text, email or phone.
- Restock your outage kit.
- Keep mobile devices charged so that they may be used in an emergency.
- Track outages, update contact info and do more with our free app.
- Text OUT to 722797 to report your outage or STAT to check status.
Visit PacificPower.net/Outages
As a reminder, stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Customers should avoid both downed trees and powerlines as well as keep pets far away from those areas.
Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
HAYDEN HOMES AND SIMPLICITY MOBILIZE TO FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY IN THE NORTHWEST
Year-end initiative contributes $66,000 to local food banks, more than 2,500 pounds of donated food, and dozens of volunteer hours
Redmond, Ore., Dec. 17, 2025—This December, Hayden Homes, Simplicity by Hayden Homes, and First Story undertook a major philanthropic campaign across the Northwest in support of organizations fighting food insecurity.
The campaign included gifts totaling $66,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Western Montana. In addition, a company-wide food drive totaled more than 2,500 pounds of non-perishable foods, which team members delivered to local food banks where they also contributed more than 60 hours of volunteer time.
Community members facing food insecurity are experiencing a lack of consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life, according to Feeding America, a leading data provider on the issue. Feeding America estimates that in 2023, about 14.2 percent of Oregonians, or 599,460 people, were food insecure.
“While federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been restored, we know our region continues to face critical food insecurity,” said Brett Swanson, regional director at Hayden Homes. “It takes all of us to build a strong community, and at Hayden Homes, we are motivated by our Give As You Go™ philosophy to do what we can, when we can. Whether someone can give nonperishable items, a financial contribution, or an hour of their time to their local food kitchen, we hope our community members will join us to help feed our neighbors.”
Regional homebuilders Hayden Homes and Simplicity invest in the communities where they build, and the companies’ three philanthropic areas of focus include Food Security, Housing Solutions, and Youth and Education. The flagship of Hayden Homes’ giving initiatives is First Story, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by the company in 1998 to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to under-resourced families across the Northwest. Each year, First Story donates hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations whose work strengthens local communities.
In Oregon, Hayden Homes, Simplicity, and First Story gave $18,500 to local organizations including Albany General Hospital, ACCESS, Agape House, Food for Lane County, St. Vincent De Paul of Bend, NeighborImpact, and Thrive Central Oregon. The funds will support a variety of initiatives to ensure community members can feed their families not just at the holidays but throughout the year.
“Our food network serves more than 80,000 individuals every month including children, families, and older adults,” said Scott Cooper, executive director of NeighborImpact. “When local private companies like Hayden Homes and Simplicity invest in the nonprofits and agencies that partner with NeighborImpact to alleviate hunger in Central Oregon, the entire system can do more to provide fresh, local food to pantries, meal sites, and shelters across our region.”
At the St. Vincent De Paul food bank in Bend, team members delivered 450 pounds of donated nonperishable items. And in Albany, fifteen Hayden Homes and Simplicity regional team members joined the Samaritan Albany General Hospital Foundation for a Backpack Assembly Event in support of the Hayden Homes/First Story Backpack Fund. This program provides healthy food backpacks for local patients and families struggling with food insecurity. In addition to filling 100 backpacks, the volunteer team also presented a $5,000 donation to further support the program.
To learn more about Hayden Homes’ Give As You Go™ philosophy, visit www.hayden-homes.com.
BLM APPROVES LITHIUM EXPLORATION IN SOUTHEAST OREGON
VALE, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management recently approved the expansion of lithium exploration activities in southern Malheur County, about 20 miles west of McDermitt, Nevada.
With this approval, HiTech Minerals, Inc. is authorized to conduct lithium mineral exploration activities over the course of five years. Lithium has been on the Department of the Interior’s list of critical minerals since the list was established in 2017.
“The HiTech lithium exploration project represents a significant step toward achieving the nation’s energy goals and reducing dependence on foreign critical minerals—key priorities under the President’s agenda,” said BLM Acting Malheur Field Manager Tara McLain.
The project includes disturbance of up to 73 total acres created by 168 exploration drill sites across 7,200 acres of public lands, the construction of 22 miles of new access routes, and other temporary disturbances to store necessary equipment.
Exploration drilling would occur annually between July 1 and November 30 for up to five years, and concurrent reclamation of the disturbances would occur after each drill season. Subsurface hydrological, geophysical, and geochemical data may be collected during the proposed drilling activities as well.
Additional information, including the signed decision record, is available at the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, please contact BLM Public Affairs Specialist Larisa Bogardus at 541-523-1407 or lbogardus@blm.gov.
Families in rural Oregon who are raising children frequently encounter limited opportunities for after-school activities that enhance social skills, academic achievement, and safety.
According to a survey conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, a national nonprofit organization, five out of six children in Oregon could gain from after-school programs but are unable to access them due to high costs or distance. For families residing outside urban centers, the closest program is often situated more than an hour away.
The survey revealed significant support for after-school programs from both Republican and Democratic parents. Some parents indicated that after-school activities enable them to work longer hours, increase their productivity, and alleviate concerns regarding their children’s wellbeing, as reported in the survey.
Be Prepared For Winter Driving
If you’re planning to drive the roads, AAA recommends making sure your vehicle is ready to travel long distances. Last year, the company rescued 600,000 Americans on the roadside, including 6,500 Oregonians.
Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires were the top issues.
VisitAAA.com/winterprepfor tips and travel advice, including what to put in an emergency kit.
Beginning in February, air travelers in the United States who do not possess a REAL ID will incur a fee of $45, as announced by the Transportation Security Administration on Monday.
Although the updated ID has been mandatory since May, passengers lacking it have previously been permitted to pass through security with additional screening and a cautionary notice.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, 94% of travelers are already compliant, and the new fee aims to motivate travelers to acquire the ID. REAL ID refers to a state-issued license or identification card that complies with federal standards and fulfills enhanced requirements established following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
The Department of the Interior has announced a significant update regarding access to national parks, introducing new digital “America the Beautiful” passes that will be available starting January 1, 2026.
As stated by the Department, these modifications are intended to enhance the accessibility and affordability of national parks for American families.
The new digital passes can be obtained through Recreation.gov, enabling visitors to purchase and utilize them immediately on their mobile devices. This update encompasses Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, and Access passes.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum highlighted the significance of these changes in a statement on the department’s website, asserting, “President Trump’s leadership always prioritizes American families.”
Annual passes will be priced at $80 for U.S. residents, whereas nonresidents will incur a fee of $250.
What to expect when visiting Oregon State Parks in 2026
As this year comes to a close, Oregon State Parks is looking back on 2025 and planning for the 2026 season.
This year Oregon State Parks welcomed millions of visitors, maintained nearly 1,000 miles of trails, hosted hundreds of events including mushroom hikes and star parties and finished dozens of projects from the restoration of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse to repaving the campground at Silver Falls State Park.
State parks also updated many of its fees to reflect increasing costs and decreasing Oregon State Lottery funding. Depending on the fee, the last update was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago.
Staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors for the 2026 season with guided hikes, seasonal events and outdoor adventures. To help visitors enjoy the more than 250 state parks and know what to expect next year, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department gathered the upcoming updates in one place.
Winter 2025:
- Green Friday (Nov. 28): Parking fees will no longer be waived at parks requiring permits on Green Friday.
Beginning January 1, 2026:
- First Day Hike (Jan. 1): Guided hikes at select parks. Parking fees will no longer be waived at parks requiring permits for First Day Hikes.
- 12-month parking permits will increase from $30 to $60 for Oregon residents and to $75 for out-of-state residents due to the out-of-state surcharge.
- 24-month parking permits will not be sold in 2026. Existing permits will be honored until they expire.
- Oregon State Parks will no longer sell Oregon Pacific Coast Passports but will honor passports purchased in 2025 until they expire.
- Oregon State Parks will no longer honor Jackson County parking permits.
Winter/Spring 2026
- OPRD is considering updates to its Division 15 Rates and Reservation Policy. The proposed changes would update the rules around cancellations, refunds, special access passes and rate ranges starting as soon as Feb. 2026. The proposed changes are designed to improve the long-term financial sustainability of the state park system and maximize the availability of campsites for visitors by encouraging early cancellation. Public comment is expected to run from December 1 to January 15, 2026. Final approval is required by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission.
- Additional parks will require a parking fee. The specific parks and implementation date is still being finalized.
- Implement fees to use dump stations at Oregon State Parks to support the cost of that service.
- State Parks Day (June 6), will continue to offer free parking for Oregon residents. Camping fees will no longer be waived on that day pending approval of the proposed Division 15 Rates and Reservation Policy updates.
“The changes are critical to sustaining state park operations and services now and for the future. We appreciate visitors’ continued support as these necessary changes are implemented,” said Oregon Parks and Recreation Director (OPRD) Director Lisa Sumption.
OPRD is projecting at $14 million budget shortfall this biennium due to decreasing lottery revenue, increasing costs and a long-standing need for more sustainable funding. OPRD does not receive general fund tax revenue for operations.
OPRD will continue to review and update fees and operations to keep providing high-quality visitor experiences and sustain parks now and in the future.
In addition to increasing fees, OPRD is also streamlining costs, planning to add more cabins and yurts to expand capacity and increase revenue and looking for new partnerships and sponsorships to help build a more sustainable funding future.
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