Don’t Miss The Klamath Art Gallery’s 80 Years Celebration!

Dozens of wildfires persist across Oregon, prompting evacuations, issuing air-quality alerts, and depleting firefighting resources from Southern Oregon to the Idaho border.

In Jackson County, the East Evans Creek fire, ignited by a vehicle collision with a power pole, has charred over 15,700 acres and is currently 19% contained, although evacuation orders remain in place.

The most significant of these, the Crosswhite fire, has consumed over 131,000 acres and was reported to be 16% contained as of Tuesday morning.

Additionally, the Hay Creek Complex, which encompasses five major fires in Sherman and Gilliam counties, has burned more than 92,000 acres and achieved 27% containment by the same time.

 

Smoke and Wildfires Impacting Road Safety Across Oregon

ODOT, OEM, DEQ and OHA Urge Drivers to Plan Ahead, Stay Informed, and Travel Prepared

SALEM, Ore. – With wildfire activity increasing across Oregon during the 2026 season, State officials are urging travelers to use extreme caution and remain aware of rapidly changing conditions.

Heavy smoke can severely reduce visibility, worsen air quality, and create hazardous and unhealthy driving situations. In several areas, fire activity has already resulted in temporary road closures, reduced speed zones, and detours.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) continue working together to keep Oregonians safe—and they’re asking the public to take steps to prepare before hitting the road.

“If you’re planning a road trip this summer, make sure your car is ready,” said Alaina Calhoun, Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) Manager for the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM). “Start your trip with a full tank of gas or a full electric charge, check your tires and air conditioner, and know your route ahead of time. Conditions can change quickly during wildfire season.” 

OEM encourages travelers to carry a well-stocked emergency car kit in case of delays or unexpected closures.

A car kit should include:

• Jumper cables
• Flares or a reflective triangle
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Blanket
• Map or printed directions
• Cell phone and car charger
• Backup power supply
• Hand-crank weather radio (modern ones double as backup cell phone power)
• N95 respirator (to help filter smoky air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (for sheltering in place if needed)
• Wet wipes, garbage bags, and toilet paper
• Whistle to signal for help
• Water and non-perishable snacks
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• Portable shovel

The Oregon Health Authority also advises keeping the air inside the vehicle as clean as possible when air quality is poor. Keep windows closed. Turn the air settings to recirculate and run the fan. Avoid smoking or vaping, and scented fresheners inside the vehicle. These can add to pollution inside the car. If it is hot outside, be sure to turn on the vehicle’s air conditioner–and set it to recirculate–to keep the temperature and air quality inside safe. 

Wildfire conditions can add to the stresses of driving. If you need someone to talk through how you feel, or you feel anxious or frustrated, help is available by dialing 988. The Agristress helpline is also available for agricultural workers. Remember: never text while driving. Call only when it is safe to do so, such as after pulling over in a safe place or arriving at your destination. 

“We all have a role to play in preventing wildfires in Oregon, especially as extended drought conditions create a greater window of opportunity for roadside ignitions,” said ODOT Lead Public Information Officer Kacey Davey.  “Smoke affects visibility as well as air quality and can lead to sudden changes in driving conditions. If visibility is poor or air quality is hazardous, consider delaying your trip. Safety should always come first. If you must drive in smoky conditions, keep windows closed and set your car’s air system to recirculate to reduce the amount of smoke entering the vehicle.”

Before You Go:

• Check road conditions by calling 511.
• Follow all local fire restrictions and closures.
• Be aware of smoke conditions that could impact health and visibility.
• When pulling off the road, stay on paved surfaces whenever possible. Avoid the side of the road where dry grass can spark a fire if it comes in contact with your vehicle’s hot components including the exhaust system or catalytic converter.  
• Secure chains and make sure they aren’t dragging. That can cause sparks.
• Maintain proper tire pressure as driving on rims will throw off sparks.  
• View real-time hazard updates, maps, and fire information through OEM’s Wildfire Dashboard.
• Sign up for emergency alerts at Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on your mobile device.
• If you aren’t traveling, still get prepared. Have go-bags ready for everyone in your family, and create defensible space.
• The best preparation is to not start a fire in the first place. Visit Keep Oregon Green’s website to learn more about how you can prevent wildfires.
• Read more about wildfire preparation here.

For more resources and wildfire readiness information, visit https://wildfire.oregon.gov.

 

An Illinois man tragically lost his life on Saturday after falling from a pontoon boat on Diamond Lake in Southern Oregon during a family gathering.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reported that 71-year-old William Harry Bailey from Bethalto, Illinois, was enjoying the day with family when the incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. According to investigators, Bailey and his sister had moved to the front of the boat for a photograph when they lost their balance and fell into the water.

Witnesses recounted that Bailey pushed his sister away to prevent her from falling in front of the moving vessel, but in doing so, he fell directly into its path and was struck by the pontoon. Although he briefly resurfaced, he soon disappeared beneath the surface.

Family members initiated a search and called 911 for assistance. Emergency responders, including deputies and firefighters, conducted a search of the area, and divers from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office ultimately located and recovered Bailey’s body from the lake.

 

Left leaning Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read asserts that the state’s vote-by-mail system is secure, countering President Trump’s assertions to the contrary.

After finding over 6,600 non-citizens on current New Jersey voter rolls, count on the federal government to continue to try to secure our elections system in the U.S.

But Tobias highlights that the President has reduced funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which was responsible for safeguarding the nation against external threats. Additionally, Read notes that financial support for county election offices has been diminished.

He emphasizes that elections are managed at the state level, not by the federal government, and he has stated his intention to withhold any non-public voter registration information from federal authorities.

But if there was nothing to hide, why would he do that to government officials? Stay tuned.

 

Oregon PUC invites Pacific Power customers to comment on proposed rate increase

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is inviting Pacific Power (PacifiCorp) customers and community members to share their input on the company’s request to increase customer rates. Comments may be submitted in several ways, including during an upcoming virtual public meeting.

Comment at virtual public meeting
Held Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6 p.m. via Zoom or by phone, this meeting allows community members to learn about the proposed increase and provide spoken comments directly to the Commissioners and Administrative Law Judge overseeing this case.

If members of the public are still waiting to comment at 7 p.m., the meeting may continue to allow as many members of the public to comment as time permits.

Information on how to join the meeting can be found at: https://bit.ly/PacificPower-meeting-notice

Other ways to submit comments 
Comments may be submitted through any of the following methods:

• Online Public Comment Form: https://bit.ly/UE470-public-comment-form
• Email: PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov
• Phone: 503‑378‑6600 or 800‑522‑2404 (all relay calls accepted)
• Mail:
  Oregon Public Utility Commission
  Attn: AHD – UE 470 
  PO Box 1088 
  Salem OR 973081088 

About the Pacific Power rate change proposal
Pacific Power has proposed increasing the amount of money it collects from Oregon customers by $170.7 million, or about 8.6 percent overall. Actual bill impacts will vary depending on customer type (residential, commercial, or industrial) and energy usage. The company reports this increase is needed to continue investing in the electric system so it can provide safe and reliable service to its 667,000 Oregon customers. This proposed change does not include rate adjustments addressed in other proceedings before the Commission that could result in other increases or decreases to customer rates.

These investments include upgrades to transmission, distribution, and generation facilities, along with projects that improve system resiliency and customer service. In its filing, Pacific Power explains that current rates are not sufficient to cover rising operating costs or to support the company’s ability to attract investment for future system upgrades. 

 

Medford Man Firing Shots Over Parking Spot – Arrested

MEDFORD, Ore. – Police caught a man accused of firing multiple gunshots during a fight over a parking spot.

Officers responded to a business in the 700 block of Stevens Street around 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 after someone reported a possible threatening situation involving gunfire. The people involved had already left the area, but the victim came back and talked to officers.

Police say the victim and 41-year-old David Somers got into an argument over parking. During the fight, Somers reportedly made a threatening statement, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim. 

“During that confrontation the suspect fired multiple rounds from a handgun. No one was struck,” said Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick, Public Information Officer for the Medford Police Department.

The victim tried to follow Somers but lost sight of him. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division helped with the investigation.

Officers found the suspect’s car on Campus Drive in Medford a short time later. Somers was caught and taken into custody without any problems.

Somers was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful pointing of a firearm, menacing and disorderly conduct.

 

State lifts ATRIO supervision order after insurer restores financial stability

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) announced today that it has lifted the order of supervision to ATRIO Health Plans, Inc.

DFR originally put ATRIO under supervision April 13, 2026, because of concerns over the insurer’s financial condition. The company had suffered excessive operating losses over the previous 12 months. Additionally, the financial condition of the company created a claims backlog that caused provider payments to go unpaid. 

DFR determined that the conditions giving rise to the supervision no longer exist and the company had taken steps to significantly improve its policyholders’ surplus; therefore, DFR terminated the supervision of the company on July 14. The division was assisted on supervising the company by the California Conservation and Liquidation Office (CACLO).

As of March 31, 2026, ATRIO enrolled a total of about 36,292 Oregonians in its Medicare Advantage plans. The enrollees are in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill counties.

“Terminating the supervision of ATRIO is a successful step in the process of regulating insurance companies,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen. “DFR, together with the CACLO team, has shown the strength of the state-based system of regulation and the work we do each day to improve the marketplace for consumers.”

 

Investigators Serve Ashland Search Warrant After Unidentified Suspect Sent Thousands of Child Sexual Abuse Material Images to Undercover Agent

ASHLAND, Ore. – The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Ashland Police Department (APD) served a search warrant Wednesday morning in Ashland. The task force served the search warrant after SOCET investigators received over 2000 images of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) images directly from an unidentified suspect.

On scene, investigators interviewed potential witnesses and involved parties. SOCET investigators are working to identify the suspect. Once identified, investigators will refer criminal charges to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

SOCET served the search warrant Wednesday, July 22 at an apartment in the 400 block of Russell Street in Ashland. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Medford Police Department (MPD), APD, Central Point Police Department, Talent Police Department, ODOJ ICAC, and the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) assisted with the warrant service. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation.

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, MPD, ODOJ ICAC, and HSI, as well as prosecutors from our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD.

Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

 

 

Southern Oregon employers get a look at Guard service during Boss Lift flight

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The battalion commander welcoming employers to the Grants Pass armory July 11 wasn’t just speaking on behalf of his Soldiers. He was speaking as an employee himself.

“From the perspective of someone who’s done this for 26 years as a traditional Soldier and a civilian employee, I want you to know that support means more to me and to us than you can know,” said Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who works as a project manager for Knife River in his civilian career. “I couldn’t have done it without Knife River, my employer. I probably would have gotten out a long time ago.”

Representatives of Knife River were among roughly 20 civilian employers who participated in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, which paired an armory tour and static displays with a CH-47 Chinook helicopter flight over southern Oregon and Upper Klamath Lake. Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, based in Pendleton, Oregon, provided the aircraft and crew.

The event was hosted by Oregon ESGR’s Area Four, which covers southern Oregon from Roseburg to the California border and west to the coast. Rather than filling seats first come, first served, organizers this year invited employers with a track record of supporting their Guard and Reserve employees.

“We went back and looked at our records for the last two and a half years and determined who were distinguished employers,” said Richard Thibodo, ESGR Area Four chair. “All of you have either received a Patriot Award or are about to receive one.”

Among them was Mercy Flights, the Medford-based ambulance service, which employs several Oregon National Guard members, including Soldiers who recently returned from an overseas deployment with 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment.

“They’re leaders in our organization,” said Sheila Clough, chief executive officer of Mercy Flights. “They show up. They’re committed. Diligence, professionalism. I’ll take as many Guardsmen as I can get on our team. They’re incredible representatives.”

Midway through the flight, the aircraft also hosted a milestone: Capt. Nolan Chandler reenlisted Spc. Daniel Pappalardo, both assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, high above the southern Oregon landscape.

Employers were invited to sign ESGR Statements of Support, pledging their commitment to the service of their Guard and Reserve employees.

“This gives you a little bit of a glimpse into what your employees do,” Rapp said. “It’s just a small part, but a little glimpse into what they do when they come to training and when called to serve the state and country.”

Released B-Roll Video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1015789/boss-lift-gives-southern-oregon-employers-look-guard-service

 

Two additional bats in Douglas County have been confirmed to carry rabies, as reported by officials on Tuesday.

A local resident sustained a finger bite while attempting to handle a sick bat during daylight hours, prompting the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division to issue a joint statement with health officials, indicating that the individual is currently undergoing medical treatment. In a separate incident, another bat was discovered by a dog, which is up to date on its rabies vaccinations and is also receiving medical attention.

To date, 19 bats have tested positive for rabies in Oregon this year, with three cases originating from Douglas County, the first of which was identified in May.

 

 

 

 

Oregon Housing and Community Services Invests in Housing that Helps Children and Young Adults Thrive

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is aligning public and private resources to invest in Oregon’s future by helping children, youth, and families access stable housing, early learning, and supportive services that give young people the foundation to succeed in school and later in life. 

Research consistently shows that housing stability is closely linked to educational success. Students experiencing housing instability face significant barriers to learning and graduate at lower rates than their peers. This reality is avoidable. Through investments that pair affordable housing with early learning, rental assistance, and youth-focused supportive housing, OHCS is helping ensure more Oregon children and young adults have the stability they need to learn, grow, and build successful futures. 

 

“The path to a brighter future begins with a stable place to call home,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Every investment we make in helping young Oregonians thrive is also an investment in stronger communities and Oregon’s future.”  

 

The connection between housing and educational success is increasingly recognized across Oregon. During the 2026 legislative session, House Bill 4149 established state protections to help students experiencing homelessness remain connected to school, recognizing that housing stability plays an essential role in educational achievement and long-term success. 

 

“Housing is part of the solution to most of the big challenges we face as a state, from improving learning outcomes for our kids to creating opportunities for Oregonians to build careers where they grew up,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “My administration has made access to housing a priority because it lays the groundwork for Oregonians to build a better future for themselves and their families.” 

 

OHCS’ Youth Emergency Housing Assistance (YEHA) program received a $5 million legislative investment in 2023 to house families in rural Oregon who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness, helping reduce barriers that can interrupt learning. This program serves Coos, Klamath, Lincoln, Douglas, and Josephine Counties and has provided families more than 3,000 instances of service like utility assistance, rent assistance, and transportation support. Most households served by YEHA projects can end their homelessness and find permanent housing. 

 

“OHCS in recent years has directly partnered with rural communities to ensure our youth have the resources and pathways to succeed,” said Thomas McGregor, youth and housing project manager at Peace at Home Advocacy Center in Roseburg. “The results have been our communities deepening our partnerships locally and regionally, while collectively envisioning how all Oregon youth are more than adequately supported.” 

 

The BuildUp Oregon Initiative, launched through a $10 million legislative investment in 2021, integrates early learning and childcare centers directly into affordable housing developments. Developed in partnership with the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care, BuildUp Oregon brings together developers and childcare providers to overcome the operational challenges of co-locating childcare with housing communities. 

 

To date, BuildUp Oregon has committed $7.4 million in grants and loans to nine housing projects, leveraging an additional $20 million in public and private investment, about $2.70 for every state dollar invested. The original legislative investment is expected to create almost 600 early care and education slots for Oregon families. 

 

OHCS has also incorporated family-friendly design into its statewide funding process. Through its Qualified Allocation Plan and Oregon Centralized Application, the agency prioritizes developments that include family-sized homes and spaces designed to support families with young children, encouraging affordable housing developers across Oregon to build communities where children and families can thrive. 

 

Several OHCS-financed developments prioritize young adults transitioning from foster care. They pair affordable housing with services such as on-site resource specialists, financial workshops on credit and taxes, and after-hours crisis response tailored to the needs of young residents. 

 

One example is Polk 2.0 Permanent Supportive Housing, a 12-unit development in Eugene created by DevNW, serving youth ages 16-24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with a preference for youth aging out of foster care or other residential care systems.  

 

“Interrupting the cycle of homelessness starts with ensuring young adults have a safe, affordable place to call home. This requires creating affordable housing that welcomes young adults who don’t have a rental or credit history, can’t afford market rate rent, and need support to become confident renters. Dedicated investments in development and services for young adults are critically needed in our communities,” said Emily Reiman, CEO of DevNW. 

 

The agency also administers long-term rental assistance made possible through House Bill 2163, which invested $4.5 million to help Oregonians under age 25 transitioning from foster care, homelessness, behavioral health or treatment facilities, or corrections maintain stable housing.  

 

Together, these efforts move Oregon closer to a future where every child and young adult has the stability, care, and foundation needed to reach their full potential. 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) 

OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians with low and moderate incomes.

 

 

Oregon Students Receive Equality in History and Latino American History Awards at National History Day® Contest 

 Last month, 38 Oregon students traveled to the University of Maryland to compete in the National History Day® (NHD®) contest. Representing 21 projects, these students joined nearly 3,000 students from across the nation to share their documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites inspired by the annual theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. 

During the trip, Oregon participants had the opportunity to explore museums and historic sites around Washington, D.C., and take a special tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. They also met with Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and toured the U.S. Capitol building with Senator Ron Wyden’s staff.

These students previously competed at Oregon History Day, the statewide affiliate of NHD. This year-long academic program for grades 6–12 challenges students to conduct original historical research, analyze primary and secondary sources, and present their findings to a panel of volunteer judges.

Two Oregon teams also earned special prizes at the National Contest:

Equality in History Award (Senior Division)

Westview High School students Naail Ahmad, Nathan Chandra, Byron Lau, and Ryan Lee received national recognition for their documentary, Measure 9: Oregon’s Hate and Oregon’s Pride. Their project examined Oregon’s 1992 Measure 9 and how the response to the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ measure helped strengthen the movement for queer rights in Oregon.

Latino American History Award (Senior Division)

Portland students and siblings Nia Vasquez and Zanna Vasquez earned the award for Low and Slow: How Lowriders Shaped America’s Chicano Culture, a website exploring how lowrider culture challenged discrimination while celebrating Mexican American identity and community. 

Two projects were also recognized as Outstanding Affiliate Entries from Oregon.

Outstanding Affiliate Award (Junior Division)

Edward Jenner: How He Revolutionized, Reformed, and Caused a Reaction in Medicine, a group performance by Meadow Park Middle School students Rachel Hessel, Aishah Mushir, Sansita Premchander, Haya Shahid, and Surya Terrall.

Outstanding Affiliate Award (Senior Division)

The John Harris Story: One Man’s Reaction and a Nation’s Reform, a website by Ridgeview High School student Finn Stancliff.

Beyond the competition, History Day leaves a lasting impression on students, equipping them with skills in critical thinking, research, and communication that endure far beyond the contest.

“It has all been such a blast,” said Oregon History Day volunteer judge Siddharth S. “I am so reinvigorated by the passion that some students put into their historical exhibits, and I believe they will represent Oregon well.”

Students can begin working on projects for the 2027 contest now based on the annual theme Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change.

About the Oregon Historical Society

For more than 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

 

ODHS program waives tuition and fees for young people who have experienced homelessness