Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines

The Klamath Falls City Council took time last Monday night to address community questions about the city’s Flock camera system, speaking directly with Police Chief Rob Dentinger during the meeting.

The automated license plate readers, developed by Flock Safety, have been in use by the Klamath Falls Police Department since 2023.

Officials emphasized that, unlike traditional surveillance systems, these cameras do not record continuous video or use facial recognition. Instead, they capture specific vehicle information that can be securely accessed later to assist with investigations and crime prevention.

The system takes still images of passing vehicles and uses AI technology to read license plates. Each scan also logs the time, date, and location, along with details like the vehicle’s color, make, and model.

Law enforcement says the technology plays a key role in locating stolen vehicles, identifying cars tied to criminal investigations, and assisting in urgent cases such as missing persons and AMBER Alert

Oregon is bracing for drought conditions and heightened wildfire risks this summer.

This situation follows an unusually mild winter, which recorded temperatures that tied with 1934 as the warmest on record for the state. Consequently, the snowpack across the Pacific Northwest has plummeted to one-third of its normal levels, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In response to these alarming conditions, Governor Tina Kotek, guided by two advisory committees, signed an executive order on March 31, declaring drought emergencies in three eastern Oregon counties and facilitating additional state assistance. This proactive measure comes significantly earlier than the typical drought declarations seen in 2024 or 2025.

President Trump’s 2027 budget includes $80 million for a new F-35 training center at Kingsley Field here in Klamath Falls.

Kingsley Field is set to receive an $80 million for the construction of a new F-35 formal training unit as part of an Academic Training Center, as outlined in the President’s proposed budget for 2027, according to U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz.

This training facility will facilitate the transition from the F-15C fighter jets to the F-35A Lightning II, recognized as one of the most advanced fighter aircraft globally.

Last December, the 173rd Fighter Wing bid farewell to its final two F-15 Eagle jets during a ceremonial departure. In a statement, Congressman Bentz emphasized the significance of Kingsley Field in national air defense, asserting that this investment underscores the commitment to training elite fighter pilots and enhancing national security.

Irrigation water supply for the Klamath Project is expected to fall significantly short of the requirements for family farms and ranches this year, as reported by the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA).

The Bureau of Reclamation recently announced an initial allocation of 221,000 acre-feet from Upper Klamath Lake, which is slightly more than half of what is necessary. The entire western region is experiencing drought conditions, with minimal snowpack in the Klamath Basin.

KWUA, along with irrigation districts, has communicated to water users that they will face difficult decisions this year, prioritizing survival over prosperity for their generational operations. Nevertheless, there remains a glimmer of hope that Reclamation may have the capacity to increase water allocations in the future.

The 107th annual Lake County Round-Up is set to take place on Saturday, September 6, at 7 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeview.

Revealed as well is the headline act: Jo Dee Messina.

Renowned for her powerful vocals and impressive array of hits, Messina will be accompanied by special guest John Morgan, a Grammy-nominated artist.

With nine No. 1 singles and 16 songs reaching the Top 40, Messina has received numerous accolades from country music organizations, as well as Billboard and Grammy Awards. Notably, she made history as the first female country artist to achieve three consecutive multi-week chart-topping songs.

Celebrated for her pivotal role in the resurgence of country music in the 1990s, her digital streams and YouTube views have surpassed the billions and continue to grow.

The Klamath County Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently inviting applications for a Full-Time, Temporary Program Analyst position to support the rollout of the Fiscal Year 2026 Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) and the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP).

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Essential qualifications include experience in general office clerical tasks, record keeping, computer skills, organizational abilities, and strong public relations capabilities. A background investigation is required for all candidates.

Interested individuals should send their resumes to the USDA/Klamath County Service Center at 1945 Main Street, Suite 100, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601, or via email to charles.bland@usda.gov. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

For further inquiries, please contact Charles Bland, County Executive Director, at (541) 883-6924 x2. The FSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KLAMATH COUNTY CLERK – PRESS RELEASE

May 19th Primary Election
1) Ballots will be mailed April 29th
The last day to register as a new voter or to change party affiliation is April 28th. If a voter changes parties or address after the original ballots are processed, they may receive two ballots. The first ballot is inactivated and cannot be voted when the second ballot is issued. Please call if you are unclear which
ballot to vote. If you have not received your ballot by May 5th, please contact our
office.
2) Official Drop Sites are on the Klamath County Website. Your ballot must be in a box by 8pm on Election Day to be counted. Please check the website or call for hours.
https://www.klamathcounty.org/685/Drop-Sites
3) If you are mailing in your ballot, Postmarks CAN count, if:
a. Signed, AND
b. Postmarked on or before Election Day, AND
c. Received by the County Clerk’s Office within seven days after Election Day
d. WE RECOMMEND TO MAIL BALLOT 7 DAYS BEFORE ELECTION DAY.
4) Nobody in Oregon will receive all the candidates on their ballot. Oregon has a closed primary; this is a nominating election for the major parties. Registered Democrats receive Democratic candidates; registered Republicans receive Republican candidates; nonaffiliated voters receive only those races that are nonpartisan.
5) Everyone will have state Measure 120: Tax Increase. All measures will be on the
backside of ballots.
6) Voters’ Pamphlet will be delivered to every household around April 29th. Candidates are
not required to be in the Voters’ Pamphlet. The candidate’s name will still appear on your
ballot.
Contact the Klamath County Clerk’s Office, (541) 883-5134 or elections@klamathcounty.org,
with any questions.

City Of Klamath Falls Public Works

Intermittent lane closures will occur on South 6th Street and Avalon Street from Thursday, April 9 through Thursday, April 16 to allow for signal head replacements and inspections.

Work will begin each morning at 6:15 a.m. and will conclude as traffic volumes increase. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect brief delays in the work area.

Student teams are gearing up to ignite the grills for the Klamath County School District’s second annual Iron Chef: Battle of the Schools on May 1st.

This barbecue competition will be held in Linman Hall at the Klamath County Fairgrounds, starting at 8 a.m., with teams setting up their barbecue stations outdoors.

Participants will demonstrate their culinary talents by preparing beef short ribs for the main course and pork tenderloin for the appetizer, with both meats generously supplied by Diamond S. For the first time, the event will open its doors to the public, allowing attendees to purchase tickets at the entrance and indulge in a complete tasting experience featuring appetizers, entrées with two sides, and desserts—all crafted by the student chefs.

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has issued a warning regarding a scam that specifically targets Spanish-speaking workers who have submitted workers’ compensation claims.

In this fraudulent scheme, individuals receive communications via phone calls, texts, emails, or social media from scammers impersonating government agencies, law firms, and other official entities.

Some of these scams even involve orchestrated fake online hearings, where individuals pose as judges, attorneys, or government representatives.

Following these deceptive hearings, victims are falsely informed that they have “won” their cases but must pay a fee before they can access their benefits or settlements. The state labor agency has confirmed at least one instance of such a scam occurring in Oregon, with similar reports also surfacing in Idaho and Montana.

Crater Lake National Park has decided to cancel the 2026 Ride the Rim event due to significant construction projects impacting park roads, trails, and visitor areas.

This decision is driven by safety and operational challenges associated with various rehabilitation efforts currently underway, including repairs and paving on East Rim Drive, extensive work on the Cleetwood Cove Trail and marina, enhancements at North Junction Overlook, and the renovation of the Rim Village employee dormitory.

The presence of active construction zones restricts the park’s capacity to safely accommodate the event. These initiatives represent a substantial, multi-year commitment to improving safety, park infrastructure, and the overall visitor experience, with upgrades to East Rim Drive and key areas aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of routes for future Ride the Rim participants.

On April 7, 2026, Soroptimist International of Klamath Falls hosted a luncheon to recognize six outstanding recipients of this year’s Live Your Dream Award Program.

The event united Soroptimists and local community members in a celebration of the achievements of these remarkable women, all of whom are heads of households striving to enhance their financial stability through education, training, and skill development.

This year’s awards featured two $2,000 Dream Investment Awards presented to Alleysen Reser and Hannah Levesque, alongside Live Your Dream Awards of $2,000 to Krystle Hernandez, $3,000 to Jolean Hardesty, $4,000 to Ayla McGinnis, and $5,000 to Ivy Johanson.

Klamath Community College has appointed Lucas Ritter, a distinguished Air Force officer and native of Klamath Falls, as its new Vice President of External Programs, effective May 4th.

Ritter, who currently serves as the Inspector General for the Oregon Air National Guard and has dedicated 25 years to the U.S. Air Force, takes over from Charles “Chip” Massie, who resigned from the role in January. The Ritter family has strong ties to the Klamath Basin, with roots tracing back to the 1930s when Ritter’s grandfather immigrated through Ellis Island and settled in Poe Valley.

As a Lieutenant Colonel at Kingsley Field, Ritter has held numerous positions, including Director of Personnel and Security Forces Squadron Commander, and has been an adjunct faculty member at KCC since 2009, teaching criminal justice.