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

Earned Income Tax Credit could mean thousands more in cash refunds for eligible Oregonians

Salem, OR—A single parent of two young children earning $24,000 in Oregon could receive over $12,000 as a cash refund if they claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the federal Child Tax Credit, the Oregon Earned Income Credit (EIC), and the Oregon Kids Credit.

Low-income Oregon families overwhelmingly use cash refunds to cover the basics—housing, utilities, food, etc.

Yet, more than 20 percent of Oregonians eligible to claim the EITC, don’t. Low participation rates in these programs leave millions of dollars on the table for low-income Oregonians.

An IRS study of 2020 federal tax returns found that Oregon ranked last in EITC participation with only slightly more than two out of three eligible taxpayers claiming the credit. Oregon’s standing has since improved, rising to 44^th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and participation rates were up to more than 78 percent for tax year 2022.

The Oregon Department of Revenue is working with other state agencies and community partners to encourage taxpayers to learn more about this credit and find out if they’re eligible.

The department is working to increase uptake of the EITC in Oregon by both raising awareness of how refundable federal and state credits can put cash directly in the pockets of low-income Oregonians, and by offering free tax filing assistance. The state partners with community based organizations to offer free tax filing assistance at sites across the state. The hands-on guidance encourages Oregonians to check if they are eligible for these refundable tax credits.The Earned Income Tax Credit is a fully refundable federal tax credit for people making up to $68,675 in 2025. A refundable credit not only reduces the amount of tax a taxpayer owes, any leftover credit results in a cash refund that can be deposited directly into their bank account. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $8,046 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon Earned Income Credit of $966 on their state tax return. Certain taxpayers without children may also be eligible for these credits.

Individuals may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Oregon EIC, and other credits, even if they are not required to file a tax return. To receive the refundable credits, however, they must file a federal and state tax return.

Basic qualifications for EITC include:

• You, your spouse, or any qualifying child must have a Social Security number to claim the federal credit.
• Your earned income in 2025 must be below certain limitsbased on your number of qualifying dependents.
• You may be eligible even if you do not have a qualifying child.
• Taxpayers can use the IRS EITC Assistantto check their eligibility further. The assistant is available in English and Spanish.

State tax credits for families

In addition to federal refundable credits, Oregon has multiple state tax credits that low-income families can claim – the Oregon Earned Income Credit (EIC), and the Oregon Kids’ Credit. Both of these credits are also available to taxpayers who use an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to file their taxes or have a qualifying child with an ITIN. Taxpayers with an ITIN, claim the Oregon EIC using schedule OR-EIC-ITIN. The EIC otherwise has the same basic qualifications as the federal EITC listed above.

The Oregon Kids Credit is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $26,550 or less, the full credit is $1,050 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with an MAGI up to $31,550.

The department recommends that Oregonians wishing to claim the Oregon Kids Credit use Direct File Oregon, the interview-based tax preparation software that allows taxpayers to file directly with the state for free. There was an earlier error in the forms for claiming the Oregon Kids Credit which has been updated and fixed in Direct File Oregon.

Taxpayers who plan to claim the Oregon Kids Credit, and file their taxes using another tax filing software can check the Department’s webpage to see if the software has been updated with the correct forms and instructions. The department has been in communication with its tax preparation software partners to ensure the fix is quickly applied to their forms.

For more information about the federal EITC, the Oregon EIC, the Oregon Kids Credit and other similar credits, go to the Tax benefits for families page.Taxpayers can visit the Oregon Department of Revenue website to find free tax preparation sites by using the interactive map. For more information on the EITC, visit https://www.eitc.irs.gov/. For questions about Oregon taxes, call the Department of Revenue at 503-378-4988, or email questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.

 

The mayor of Portland, Keith Wilson, has once again called for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to vacate his city following an incident where federal agents discharged tear gas at a gathering of demonstrators outside an ICE facility during a weekend protest that he described as peaceful, which most nightly pictures show near riots happening in the Rose City while police usually stand down and watch from a distance.

Witnesses reported that federal agents utilized tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets as thousands of protesters converged on the South Waterfront facility on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Erin Hoover Barnett, a former reporter for OregonLive who participated in the protest, stated that she was approximately 100 yards from the building when she observed what appeared to be two individuals with rocket launchers beginning to spray the crowd with tear gas.

On Sunday, inquiries were directed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which supervises ICE, to verify the specifics of the incident, including the deployment of tear gas against the demonstrators by federal agents.

The liberal Mayor Wilson asserted that the daytime protest was peaceful, noting that “the vast majority of those present violated no laws, made no threat and posed no danger” to the federal agents. 

 

Eugene, Oregon – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson, alongside Eugene-Springfield leaders, addressed the public following the Friday night ICE protest at the Federal Building downtown, which eventually  escalated into a riot during anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations.

Kotek assured immigrant, refugee, and Black, brown, and indigenous communities of their safety, stating, “People here today are going to do everything they can to protect you and to stand together, united against what is happening from our federal government.”

On Friday afternoon, police in riot gear eventually declared the peaceful protest as a riot and moved in on protesters around 6pm after seeing Federal agents deploying flash bangs and tear gas. Local police ordered protesters to leave the area and most of them did not, ignoring the bullhorn announcements. A few arrests were made as the evening went on.

Gov. Kotek on Monday during her remarks emphasized the importance of peaceful protest and criticized the Trump administration’s ICE tactics, which she said “create fear and tear families apart.”

Eugene Mayor Knudson thanked community leaders, legal observers, and local law enforcement for their efforts during the protests. She highlighted the challenges posed by federal policies, saying, “Navigating the landscape that has been created for us at the local level by a federal administration is a 24/7 job on all fronts.” 

ICE agents in many cities continue to do their authorized job of removing illegals with criminal records from cities all over the nation and Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem reminded them ICE will not be backing down from implementing Federal law voted on by Congress. 

Let it be known that more illegals under then President Barack Obama also deported over 3 million illegal aliens during his administration, proving once more this is more about blocking President Trump and the nonstop Trump Derangement Syndrome that Democrats and the media have perpetuated for this president.  Stay tuned.

 

Gas prices in Oregon have increased by 8.3 cents per gallon in the last week, now averaging $3.36 per gallon, while the national average remains steady at $2.88 a gallon.

The lowest gas price reported in Oregon was $2.69 per gallon, whereas the highest reached $4.29 per gallon. This indicates a $1.60 per gallon disparity across the state.

Surrounding cities have also experienced price hikes. Eugene’s gas prices increased by 8 cents, Salem’s by 8.8 cents, and Portland’s by 5.9 cents compared to last week. Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, pointed out that oil prices have risen a bit due to geopolitical tensions and supply issues.

 

The Oregon Department of Revenue has released new guidance as of Friday for taxpayers who are claiming the Oregon Kids Credit, ensuring that they can accurately claim the appropriate credit amount when electronically filing their tax return for the year 2025.

In preparation for the 2026 tax season, the department had previously provided incorrect information regarding tax form instructions and to tax preparation software partners concerning the calculations for claiming the Oregon Kids’ Credit. Consequently, a small number of taxpayers who are ineligible for the Oregon Kids Credit mistakenly calculated and claimed this credit on their returns. Additionally, a small number of eligible taxpayers claimed an excessively large credit.

The department discovered this error among some of the earliest returns submitted when the processing of e-filed returns commenced on Monday. By Friday morning, the agency had processed approximately 135,000 tax year 2025 returns. The new federal deductions affected the eligibility for the Oregon Kids Credit in fewer than 500 of those returns.

Although the department anticipates that this number may increase as all tax filing software vendors update their systems to rectify the calculation, it expects the overall number of affected returns to remain low.

Taxpayers who have already submitted their returns and believe they may be affected do not need to take any action to amend their returns. The Department of Revenue is automatically adjusting these returns and will inform taxpayers of any changes. Taxpayers will receive this notification by mail, as well as through their Revenue Online account.

 

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) is scheduled to conduct its inaugural quarterly Advisory Committee meeting of 2026 in a virtual format on March 4. The meeting will commence at 9 a.m., followed by a public town hall at 11:30 a.m.

Established in 1945, the Advisory Committee serves a vital function in providing guidance to the director and staff of ODVA. The committee consists of nine military veterans representing various regions of Oregon, and it advocates for veteran-related issues throughout the state.

The public is invited to engag in the town hall to address concerns related to veterans. Written feedback may be sent via email to odva_vaac@odva.oregon.gov. Community members who wish to attend can register online to participate in the meeting. Access will be restricted to the town hall portion, which will be recorded and made available online subsequently.

 

The Oregon Heritage Commission is providing grants to museums for projects related to collections, heritage tourism, and education. The awards generally vary from $2,000 to $10,000.

Museums are eligible to apply for a range of initiatives, such as cataloging and conservation of collections, marketing efforts for heritage tourism, and educational exhibits. Additionally, they may collaborate with other organizations on projects that align with their mission. Museums serve as custodians of local, regional, and state history, and this program facilitates the collection, preservation, and promotion of that history throughout the state.

A complimentary online workshop on the grant application process will take place on February 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Registration is mandatory. The commission, which is appointed by the Governor, consists of nine members who represent the diverse heritage of Oregon. Its objective is to enhance Oregon’s heritage through coordination, advocacy, and educational initiatives.

 

Oregon and IRS begin processing e-filed returns; First state refunds expected February 17

Salem, OR—As Oregon and the IRS begin processing electronically-filed tax year 2025 returns today, the Department of Revenue expects the first Oregon taxpayers to receive their refunds—including their share of the state’s $1.41 billion kicker—as soon as February 17.

The department announced earlier this month that taxpayers who choose to file paper returns face a significantly longer wait. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.

To help taxpayers avoid missteps that could further delay their refund, the department is opening 2026 tax season with a series of best practices suggestions.

File a return to claim your kicker

The kicker is a refundable creditthat will either increase a taxpayer’s Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check.

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.

Personal income taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using the “What’s My Kicker?calculator available on Revenue Online. To use the calculator, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2024 and 2025.

File electronically, request direct deposit

On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. Those who file paper returns will experience a significantly longer wait in 2026 due to processing delays.

In the closing months of 2025, the IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns can’t begin until the end of March.

 Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to make a change to their return. They should choose to either file electronically or by paper. Doing both will delay processing of their return.

Gather all tax records before filing

In a kicker year, taxpayers can be in a hurry to file their return so they can get their refund as soon as possible. The department warns taxpayers not to get in too much of a hurry. They should make sure they have all necessary records—including Form W-2s from their employers and Form 1099s reporting other income—needed to file a complete and accurate tax return to avoid errors.

Getting in a hurry can cause taxpayers to file before they have all the information necessary to report all of their income. If income reported on a return doesn’t match the income reported by employers, the return, and any corresponding refund, will be delayed.

Revenue Online

Revenue Online is the state’s internet tax portal and is the best way to communicate with the department.

Taxpayers with a Revenue Online account should make sure their information is current before they file. They should check their username, password, and address; and verify any estimated tax payments they’ve made.

Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can create one. They can simply go to Revenue Online, click “Sign Up” in the box at the top right and follow the prompts.

Download Form 1099-G

The department reminds taxpayers that it no longer mails Form 1099-G to taxpayers. The form reports the amount of refunds, credits, or other offsets of personal income, statewide transit individual tax, TriMet transit self-employment tax, or Lane transit self-employment tax paid during the previous year.

Only those who itemized deductions on their tax year 2024 federal income tax return will need a Form 1099-G to file their tax year 2025 return. Those taxpayers can view and download their Form 1099-G through Revenue Online.

Taxpayers who received unemployment insurance or Paid Leave Oregon benefits in 2025 will receive a separate 1099-G by January 31 from the Oregon Employment Department.

 

TILLAMOOK STATE FOREST, ORE.—Browns Camp Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Campground, managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), will transition from a first-come, first-served model to a reservation-only system when it reopens for the season on April 1, 2026.

“We are making the change to a reservation-only campground for two main reasons,” said Ben Burns, ODF’s State Forests Recreation Facilities Manager. “First, it benefits our campers. When you load up your toy hauler for a weekend trip, it’s reassuring to know you’ll have a campsite waiting when you arrive. This system eliminates the frustration of driving around the campground hoping to find an open site.”

ODF successfully implemented a reservation system at all equestrian campgrounds in 2025 for similar reasons.

“Horse campers often travel long distances with large trailers and have limited options if a campground is full,” Burns said. “The reservation system worked well to eliminate that problem, so based on that success, we’re expanding reservations to OHV campgrounds.”

The change will also improve operational efficiencies.

“Fee collection takes up a significant portion of staff time during the camping season,” Burns said. “The time saved can instead be used to better maintain and improve our campgrounds.”

Browns Camp has 28 campsites, and ODF encourages visitors to reserve early—especially for busy holiday weekends—when reservations open on March 2, 2026. The group camping area at Browns Camp is already reservation-based and will remain unchanged.

Campsites can be reserved at www.reserveamerica.com. Same-day reservations will be allowed although reserving sites prior will be recommended due to spotty cell phone service in the area. Camping fees will remain the same at Browns Camp: $20 per night.

In addition, ODF is working to improve overnight options for OHV users in Tillamook State Forest by converting the Diamond Mill OHV Area into a campground.

“We are actively working on that project, and it will be ready to roll out for the 2026 season,” said Burns.  Visit ODF’s  Recreation, Education and Interpretationwebsiteand social media sites for updates and opening announcements.”

 

Pacific Power Shares Winter Heating Tips to Help Customers Stay Warm and Save Money

As cold temperatures linger across the region, Pacific Power is reminding customers of a few simple adjustments they can make at home that can help them stay warm while also reducing their energy bill.

“With households using more electricity to stay comfortable during winter months, adopting energy-efficient heating practices benefits everyone,” said Ryan Flynn, president of Pacific Power. “Even small changes support the grid and can lead to significant savings on your monthly bill.”

To help customers get started, Pacific Power recommends taking these practical steps to help keep their energy costs in check this winter.

Tips for staying warm and energy-efficient:

• 68° degrees is great – Setting the thermostat at 68°F when you’re home and awake is recommended.

• Keep warm air in – Close window coverings at night to reduce drafts, and seal air leaks with caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows.

• Clean and tune – Clean or replace furnace filters monthly during the heating season. Routine maintenance helps improve airflow and ensures your system isn’t working harder than necessary.

• Use space heaters sparingly – and safely – Portable heaters require a lot of electricity and should be used only as needed. Running a typical 1,500-watt unit for eight hours a day over a month can add about $30 to a winter bill.

• Use appliances during off-peak hours– Using appliances like ovens, dishwashers and laundry machines during off-peak hours helps reduce strain on the grid and can help customers manage their bill – an approach Pacific Power also highlights during extreme weather.

Pacific Power offers a range of energy assistance programs, including income-qualified discounts, weatherization support and resources for customers managing high bills. For more information, visit PacificPower.net/Assistance or call 888-221-7070. 

For more tips on how to save energy year-round, visit our Savings & Energy Choices webpage atPacificPower.net/WinterTips. 

 

The Lake County Board of Commissioners convened a special session late last week to gain further insights into the Greater Idaho movement.

This initiative seeks to shift Oregon’s border westward, incorporating several Eastern Oregon counties into Idaho. During the meeting, Mike McCarter, an advocate and spokesperson for the movement, stated that they are striving to garner additional support from officials.

The group aims to elevate the conversation regarding the divide between urban and rural lifestyles within the state to the Oregon legislature. Supporters express a stronger alignment with Idaho’s values, rural lifestyles, political stance, and legislative measures, according to McCarter.

Lake County commissioners indicated that the purpose of the special session was to comply with county measure 19-35. This measure mandates the board to convene on the fourth Wednesday of each January, May, and September to deliberate on the potential relocation of the Idaho state border.

 

The College of the Siskiyous, located in Weed, has officially announced the introduction of a new Associate of Arts degree in Communication Studies: Social Media, which is set to commence in the upcoming spring semester.

This 18-unit program is specifically designed to prepare students for careers in the digital workforce by emphasizing skills such as podcasting, live streaming, social media strategy, and ethical digital storytelling.

Jayne Turk, the faculty lead for the program, indicated that the curriculum is intended to equip students for a job market where both businesses and government agencies increasingly require employees to be proficient in new technologies and social media platforms. The program places a strong emphasis on accessibility for rural and diverse student populations by providing essential courses entirely online through Zoom, including “Podcasting & Live Streaming.”

Turk mentioned that students are able to create high-quality content using readily available tools such as smartphones and laptops, thereby eliminating the financial burden associated with costly hardware. The degree is accessible to students without any prior experience and is attractive to a broad demographic. Turk even highlighted that her current class includes a student who is 81 years old.

 

 

(BEND, Ore.) — For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount Saint Helens. The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks will soon be at the center of an immersive new exhibition, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration,” which will run from Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore.

On the heels of the Museum’s recent “Sensing Sasquatch” exhibition – which won the Western History Association’s prestigious 2025 Autry Public History Prize and earned national praise for exploring the Indigenous perspectives of what many call Bigfoot – comes the latest groundbreaking exhibition from the High Desert Museum. Under Pressure will take visitors on an educational, insightful, and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.

“From cultural and historical significance to the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the Pacific Northwest and High Desert have a particularly long, complex, and symbiotic relationship with volcanoes,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., High Desert Museum executive director. “We live in their shadows, recreate on their slopes, and admire their beauty, but it’s the volcanoes’ ability to simultaneously cause destruction and creation that evokes feelings of awe. Under Pressure will provide an immersive and deep exploration.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, a groundbreaking new exhibition from Oregon’s High Desert Museum.

WHEN:            Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027

WHERE:          High Desert Museum (Spirit of the West Gallery)

                         59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702 (map HERE)

COST:              Free with Museum admission or membership

   Active U.S. military and their families, as well as Tribal members, are FREE with ID

Among the highlights that visitors to Under Pressure can expect to encounter include:

• Engage the senses through interactive displays and exhibits, including volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research.
• Hear stories and learn the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region.
• Get to know 4-6 individual volcanoes through biographies that explain the similarities and differences between them.
• Learn about present-day volcano hazards and how lava flows.
• Understand the technologies that scientists use to detect volcanic activity, which allow us to live among volcanoes while also enjoying their many benefits.

“These geologic giants exist all around us, come in all shapes and sizes, and tell a story of our past, present, and future,” says Whitelaw. “With 350 million people living near an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration opens to the public on Feb. 7, 2026, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027, in the High Desert Museum’s Spirit of the West Gallery. For additional information on exhibitions or to start planning your experience, visit highdesertmuseum.org.

 

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.

 

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