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Monday, September 14, 2026
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm west northwest wind around 6 mph. Overnight, clear, a low near 43 degrees.
Tuesday
Sunny, then becoming partly sunny during the afternoon, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday
A slight chance of showers before 11am, then a slight chance of thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 7 to 9 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday
A slight chance of showers between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 77.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 80.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 82.
Today’s News Headlines
Patients of Sky Lakes Medical Center were informed via text message on Friday that the downtown pharmacy will temporarily close starting September 21, with plans to reopen around October 5.
Mychal Amos, the director of pharmacy services, emphasized the importance of accessible medication for patients and the community, expressing gratitude for their understanding as the facility navigates staffing issues.
The downtown pharmacy, situated inside the Holiday Market at 211 North 8th Street, will operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a closure from 1 to 1:30 p.m., until its temporary closure.
Effective immediately, the branch will not accept new prescriptions or refill requests, and patients are encouraged to utilize the Washburn Way pharmacy for their needs.
On Saturday afternoon, September 12th, Klamath County 911 received a report of an individual shot in a vehicle on Whitetail Lane in Bonanza, Klamath County.
Upon arrival, deputies from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office discovered a deceased male, later identified as 52-year-old Timothy Carr from Bonanza.
In response to the incident, the Klamath County Major Crime Team was activated to conduct a homicide investigation, with the Oregon State Police designated as the lead agency.
Following the preliminary investigation, Thomas Sylvester, also from Bonanza, was arrested and taken to the Klamath County Jail, facing charges that include Second-Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Abuse of a Corpse, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
The Klamath County Major Crime Team consists of personnel from the Oregon State Police, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, Klamath County Parole and Probation, and the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities encourage anyone with further information to reach out to the Oregon State Police.
Barrel of Oil Tops $103 – Oregon Gas Prices On The Rise
Klamath gas prices hit $4.85 a gallon for regular as global tensions increase prices nationwide in the U.S.
Across Oregon, GasBuddy reported the lowest price in the state on Sunday at $4.49 per gallon and the highest was $6.89 per gallon.
Other metro areas around Oregon also saw increases. Portland’s average rose 9.8 cents to an average of $5.10 per gallon, Medford’s prices rose 12.6 cents for a new average of $4.97 per gallon..
Nationally, the average price of gasoline has risen 17.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.25 per gallon. The national average is up 19 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.14 per gallon higher than a year ago.
Klamath County Fire District 1 responded early Thursday morning to a commercial kitchen fire at Wong’s Cafe, 421 Main Street in Klamath Falls.
At approximately 2:20 a.m., Klamath County Fire District 1 was dispatched following a report of heavy smoke in the area. While crews were responding, a Klamath Falls Police Department officer provided an additional report of heavy smoke coming from the building.
Crews arrived approximately five minutes later, at 2:25 a.m., and encountered a working fire with heavy smoke and embers coming from the roof of the structure. Based on conditions, crews initiated an aggressive offensive strategy and began interior operations.
The fire was quickly brought under control, limiting the fire to the involved restaurant. Wong’s Cafe sustained significant fire and smoke damage; however, there was limited fire damage to adjoining buildings or businesses. businesses.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
During the administrative meeting of the Klamath County Board of Commissioners on September 1, representatives from Pacific Power and 1884 Line Co. addressed their ongoing system hardening initiatives in the region.
Mark Swanson, from 1884 Line Co., which is collaborating with Pacific Power on this project, provided insights alongside Todd Andres, the regional business manager for Pacific Power. The fire-hardening measures being implemented are in compliance with mandates from public utility commissions, marking 1884 Line Co.’s inaugural project in Klamath County despite their two-year partnership with Pacific Power.
The efforts will involve the installation of new wiring to safeguard conductors and the replacement of wooden power poles with more durable steel alternatives. The company anticipates deploying approximately 35 to 45 workers in the area, including 24 members from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, organized into six crews.
Emphasizing safety, 1884 Line Co. has committed to hiring flaggers for worker protection and equipping each crew with a firefighting trailer containing a 500-gallon water tank.
Cyanotoxins Advisory at Agency Lake
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has revised the health advisory for recreational use at Agency Lake in Klamath County, now categorizing it as a precautionary measure.
This advisory was initially issued on July 1. Recent water monitoring has indicated that cyanotoxin levels in Agency Lake are below the recreational guideline thresholds for human safety; however, they remain above the educational guideline levels set for dogs, prompting pet owners to keep their animals away from areas affected by algal blooms.
OHA emphasizes the importance of vigilance among recreational visitors regarding the potential for cyanobacteria blooms, which can appear and vanish unpredictably in various water bodies under suitable conditions.
When engaging in recreational activities, it is advisable for individuals, particularly small children and pets, to steer clear of water that appears foamy, scummy, or thick, as well as any that exhibits a pea-green or blue-green hue, or contains thick brownish-red mats or bright green clumps. In the presence of these indicators, activities such as swimming or boating that may lead to water ingestion or inhalation of droplets should be avoided, and pets should be kept away from the area.
Klamath IDEA is excited to announce the kickoff of the IDEA Talks! series on September 16, featuring two accomplished entrepreneurs who began their journeys in Klamath County.
The event will highlight Trevor Mauch, who returns to share his insights and experiences, alongside a surprise guest entrepreneur with local ties whose achievements have gained international recognition. This season’s IDEA Talks! will be hosted at Watershed Row in downtown Klamath Falls, marking a new partnership for the series.
Trevor Mauch, a Klamath Falls native, and son of the late Harry Mauch, cultivated his entrepreneurial spirit through his family’s local businesses.
After earning degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the Oregon Institute of Technology, he founded Carrot.com, a successful software company based in Roseburg that has emerged as a leading marketing platform for real estate professionals.
Under Mauch’s guidance, Carrot has been recognized multiple times on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, assisting countless entrepreneurs in expanding their ventures across North America.
The event will also feature a surprise guest, a globally acclaimed creative entrepreneur whose innovative approach has transformed the realms of sports, art, and branding. What started as a personal creative endeavor has blossomed into the world’s first sports art house, achieving over $80 million in sales within four years and collaborating with prominent athletes, entertainers, and major brands. His groundbreaking work has redefined industry standards by turning sports equipment into collectible art, fostering a new wave of creativity and self-expression.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, at 5:30 PM at Watershed Row, located at 330 South 7th Street.
The highly anticipated Klamath Basin Oktoberfest is set to return to Southern Oregon, organized by the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA).
Scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, the event will take place at the Bill Collier Community Ice Arena in Klamath Falls. This family-oriented celebration honors German traditions and showcases the finest local brews, diverse food vendors, live music, and engaging activities, including the popular “Stein holding carry competition.”
Admission tickets are priced at $30 for standard entry at the door, $25 for online purchases, and $10 for non-drinkers. For further details regarding the schedule, activities, and entertainment, please visit klamathoktoberfest.org.
A group of 11 Dental Hygiene students from Oregon Tech recently returned from an international externship in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where they participated from August 14th to 25th, accompanied by four faculty members and support staff.
During their time there, the students delivered essential dental care, performing 382 cleanings, 374 fluoride treatments, as well as sealants, fillings, root canals, and extractions for a total of 637 patients. The initiative aimed to assist an underserved population with limited access to dental services, prompting some individuals to arrive as early as 3:00 a.m. to secure a spot at the first-come, first-served clinics to help the community.
The launch of a trivia card game has revitalized local history engagement with the Klamath County Historical Society, in collaboration with the Klamath County Museum Foundation.
They have introduced the Klamath County History Trivia Game, a collection of 100 cards aimed at educating students about local history through a series of questions, photographs, and answers derived from extensive historical research.
Game designers Mary Nobel and Linda Hammerich expressed their enthusiasm for history and the enjoyment they experienced during the game’s creation. They utilized information from the “Klamath Echoes,” a comprehensive 16-volume series by historians DeVere and Helen Helfrich, which aimed to document the history of the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon, and Northern California.
This initiative was made possible by a grant from the Western Wind Foundation, which supports projects that foster student interest in local history. Consequently, Nobel and Hammerich provided copies of the game, along with complete sets of the Klamath Echoes, to all public and private middle and high school history classrooms throughout Klamath County.
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John Denver Tribute Show Concert Coming To Ragland!
Ted Vigil is America’s premier John Denver tribute artist and he’s coming to the Ross Ragland theater on Saturday, October 3rd!
Ted’s show embodies the late great music icon in look as well as voice with an unforgettable performance. He has performed with John Denver’s own lead guitarist, Steve Weisberg, who described Vigil’s performance as “uncanny”.
Ted has performed at John Denver’s own “Windstar Foundation” in Aspen, CO, John Denver’s former home. Performing throughout the country, Ted Vigil has wowed sellout crowds from coast to coast and everywhere in between.
For this wonderful and exciting show, expect to hear John Denver’s most beloved hits, like “Take Me Home, Country Roads’, ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’, ‘Annie’s Song’, ‘Rocky Mountain High’, ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’, ‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’, and many more.
You will definitely not want to miss this performance. Without question, this is the closest you will ever see, or hear, to the great John Denver. Sat, Oct 3rd, 2026 at 7:00 pm. Click to buy tickets for the show at https://www.ragland.org/
Around the State of Oregon
DUII Stop in Salem Leads to Three Teen Arrests, Two Loaded Guns Recovered
A DUII traffic stop in northeast Salem early Friday morning led to the arrests of three people and the recovery of two loaded handguns, including one reported stolen, according to Salem Police.
Officers stopped a vehicle shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, near Silverton Road and Lansing Avenue NE. The vehicle had multiple occupants, and officers determined that everyone inside was intoxicated. Some of the occupants were also under the legal age to possess alcohol.
Brooklyn Clingenpeel, 18, of Jefferson, was arrested on multiple charges, including driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving. Other occupants were detained for minor in possession of alcohol.
During the investigation, officers discovered two loaded handguns inside the vehicle. One of the firearms had been reported stolen.
Alfredo Lopez Delgado, 18, of Salem, was lodged at the Marion County Jail on multiple charges, including first-degree theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and a criminal arrest warrant.
A 15-year-old Salem boy was also arrested on multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm. He was lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center.
The investigation resulted in three arrests and the recovery of both loaded firearms.
The Oregon Department of Forestry has obtained federal approval to oversee state forests through a new conservation strategy that safeguards ten fish species while allowing for continued timber harvesting.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries has granted an incidental take permit for the department’s Western State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), providing regulatory assurance under the Endangered Species Act for the species included in the plan.
Kacey KC, Oregon State Forester, emphasized that achieving this significant milestone is the result of extensive efforts over the past eight years, as the permit enables more stable and consistent management of state forestlands with the assurance of compliance with the Endangered Species Act regarding the protected fish species. State legislation mandates that state forests be managed to deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits, and this conservation plan aims to balance management impacts while enhancing fish habitats for long-term benefits.
Oregon is making significant strides in the reconstruction of housing lost during the wildfires of September 2020, which led to the evacuation of over 40,000 residents.
On September 7, 2020, multiple fires ignited across the state, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, ultimately consuming more than 1 million acres. Existing fires, such as Lionshead and Beachie Creek, intensified, while three new megafires—Archie Creek, Holiday Farm, and Riverside—devastated rural communities and the surrounding environment.
The Almeda Fire, which originated as a grass fire, resulted in the destruction of nearly 2,500 homes in Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, and urban areas of Jackson County. In response to this crisis, the Oregon Housing and Community Services received two rounds of funding, with the Oregon Legislature allocating over $150 million in August 2021 to aid in housing recovery efforts.
The Coquille Indian Tribe will maintain its gaming operations in Medford following a federal judge’s decision to affirm the U.S. Department of the Interior’s ruling.
The casino, which commenced operations in January 2025, was established after the Department placed approximately 2.4 acres of land in Medford into trust for the tribe, thereby permitting gaming activities.
The judge’s ruling dismissed a challenge from several local tribes, including the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Karuk Tribe, and the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation.
Central to the judge’s decision was the Coquille Tribe’s Restoration Act of 1989, which the court recognized as qualifying the land as “restored lands” under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This ruling is subject to appeal, allowing the challenging tribes the option to take their case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Fire officials are scheduled to carry out a prescribed burn in the Butte Valley area near Red Rock Road beginning today, Monday, September 14, contingent upon favorable weather conditions.
This operation will encompass 704 acres of grass and brush, with crews dividing the area into manageable sections to conduct the burn when climatic conditions are ideal, thereby ensuring control, preventing escape, and reducing the risk of poor air quality. Should conditions become hazardous, such as the presence of high winds or other fire activities, the burn will be postponed.
Residents in the vicinity of Macdole and Tennent may observe smoke depending on the wind direction, and officials request that individuals refrain from calling 911 to report or inquire about the smoke.
DFR warns investors about AI-powered investment scams
Salem – Artificial intelligence is making it easier for scammers to create convincing investment pitches, websites, videos, and messages, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning.
AI tools can be useful for learning about investing and financial products, but fraudsters are using technology to make investment scams look more legitimate and reach potential victims more easily.
“Artificial intelligence may make a scam look more sophisticated, but the warning signs of investment fraud remain familiar,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner and DFR Administrator TK Keen. “Consumers should slow down, independently verify who they are dealing with, and never let pressure or fear of missing out drive an investment decision. Always remember that if the investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
DFR is warning consumers about several common AI-related scams:
- Deepfakes and impersonation:Scammers can create realistic videos or audio of celebrities, public figures, financial professionals, friends, or family members promoting investments, including those promising unusually high or guaranteed returns.
- AI and cryptocurrency trading schemes:Fraudsters may advertise supposedly proprietary or guaranteed AI trading systems. Victims can be directed to fake platforms that display fabricated account balances or profits and then pressured to send additional money, often in cryptocurrency.
- AI voice and messaging scams:Voice-cloning technology can make calls or messages appear to come from someone the victim knows or trusts. Unsolicited investment recommendations should be independently verified.
- Romance scams:Fraudsters can use AI-generated images and chatbots to create convincing dating profiles and build relationships before persuading victims to invest in cryptocurrency, startups, or other purported opportunities.
Consumers should be particularly cautious about unsolicited investment offers, online advertisements featuring celebrities or public figures, unusual facial or body movements in videos, awkward or unnatural voice messages, requests for cryptocurrency payments, reluctance to meet or verify credentials, and websites that mimic legitimate financial firms.
DFR recommends that consumers:
- Pause before investing.Scammers often use urgency and fear of missing out to pressure victims into making quick decisions.
- Verify registration.Confirm that the person or company offering an investment is properly registered. Registration does not guarantee an investment is risk-free, but an unregistered seller is a significant warning sign.
- Research independently.Search for the investment company, the individual making the offer, and their contact information. Do not rely solely on information provided by the person pitching the investment.
- Do not rely on AI alone.AI tools can produce inaccurate, outdated, or fabricated information. Consumers should cross-check investment claims with reliable sources and consult a registered investment professional when appropriate.
- Verify unexpected communications.If a message, call, or video appears to come from a financial adviser, friend, or family member, contact that person through a trusted, independent method before acting.
Consumers who suspect they have been targeted by an AI investment scam should report the activity to DFR and appropriate authorities, including the Oregon Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission. Reporting suspected fraud can help regulators identify emerging scams and protect other consumers.
DFR also warns consumers to be cautious of anyone offering to recover money lost in an investment scam. Such offers can be another scam targeting victims who have already lost money. To report suspected investment fraud or if you have been a victim of a scam, contact DFR at 1-888-877-4894 or email dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
A collaboration between the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority aims to introduce a new initiative in the state designed to prevent overdoses among youth and young adults.
This program, modeled after Washington state’s Friends For Life campaign, targets individuals aged 13 to 25. Although recent state data indicates a decline in overdose deaths in Oregon over the past two years, the prevalence of hazardous substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamine remains a significant concern, contributing to over 90% of overdose fatalities.
Experts emphasize the importance of parental engagement in discussing these dangers, as parents are often the primary source of information for their children.
The campaign provides practical resources tailored for youth, available in both English and Spanish, covering topics such as fentanyl awareness, the risks of counterfeit pills, overdose prevention strategies, naloxone access, and pathways to treatment and recovery.
Wild Horses In Peril: Riddle Mountain Rescue Operation Halted
BURNS, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management’s plans to rescue horses on Riddle Mountain have been postponed due to a temporary restraining order related to ongoing litigation. After a record dry winter and a fire season that consumed 70% of the herd management area, the herd’s health is under immediate threat from severe food and water shortages.
“It’s our responsibility to manage and protect these herds,” said Don Rotell, Burns District Manager. “When fire and severe drought shrinks water sources and reduces forage, it’s the horses and other plants and animals that pay a price.”
“We want healthy horses on healthy rangelands,” Rotell continued. “Unfortunately, the practical implication of this delay is that it may not be possible to round up these horses before late fall storms make roads in the area impassable.”
The rescue operation was planned to start September 9. The BLM will provide any additional updates online.
Rescuing these horses from the range was also part of the BLM’s post-fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation plan for the land. When a severe wildfire burns hot enough to destroy vegetation and alter soil structure, recovery doesn’t happen on its own. Without quick action, winter storms can wash away topsoil, invasive weeds can take hold, and damage can last for decades. Resting the land ensures it can continue to provide habitat for the herd, other wildlife and support additional land uses. During this rest period, cattle will not be grazing on these lands, allowing the rangeland to recover without added pressure to its limited forage and water resources.
Public safety and animal welfare remain top priorities. The Wild Horse and Burro Program is committed to the humane and sustainable management of wild horse populations and their habitats. These drive-trap gather operations are guided by the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which sets handling standards that prioritize the care and well-being of the animals. Through collaborative efforts, the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program seeks to maintain healthy herds on healthy rangelands now and for future generations.
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