Thursday, August 21, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Heat Advisory in effect from August 22, 1:00 PM until August 23, 8:00 PM

Today
Sunny, with a high near 93 degrees. Northwest winds 5-8 mph. Overnight, clear with a low near 57. Light north wind 5-9 mph.

Friday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Saturday
Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 93.
Tuesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

 

 

Oakridge Rocks The Park!

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Around the State of Oregon

Four Year Old Girl Killed Following Vicious Rottweiler-Pit Bull Dog Attack in Josephine County

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of a 4-year-old girl following a dog attack that occurred on Saturday afternoon.

Authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a dog attack on the 1800 block of Laurel Road. Law enforcement, along with AMR and the Illinois Valley Fire District, arrived on the scene and attempted lifesaving measures; however, the child was sadly pronounced dead at the location.

The dog involved, identified as a mix of Cane Corso, Rottweiler, and Pit Bull, has been taken into custody by Josephine County Animal Control. The name of the child will not be disclosed. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is currently available.

 

On Tuesday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek responded to allegations from the federal government asserting that the state is hindering federal immigration enforcement due to its sanctuary law.

On August 13, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a deadline for Kotek, along with numerous other elected officials from sanctuary states and cities, to reply to a letter warning of potential legal repercussions because the state forbids law enforcement and other public agencies from collaborating with federal officials on immigration enforcement.

Kotek detailed the background of Oregon’s sanctuary state law established in 1987, noting that a majority of Oregon voters are in favor of the law. In a ballot measure from 2018, 63% of Oregon voters expressed opposition to repealing the law.

According to the sanctuary law, law enforcement agencies in Oregon are generally prohibited from inquiring about an individual’s immigration status or conducting investigations for immigration enforcement purposes. Any requests from federal agencies to local law enforcement regarding immigration enforcement, absent a judicial order, must be documented, reported, and subsequently denied.

Kotek affirmed that the state of Oregon adheres to federal law and will persist in following its own regulations. During a news conference on Monday concerning the state’s latest lawsuit against the federal government, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated that the federal government is urging Oregon to violate its own laws. Stay tuned on this one.

 

Oregon’s Republican congressman Rep. Cliff Bentz fired back on Tuesday at left-leaning Governor Tina Kotek’s criticism of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which is now law, by saying “it does far more good than Gov. Kotek wants to give credit for. ”

Rep. Bentz said Kotek’s recent comments on Trump’s sweeping tax-and-spending bill are misleading Oregonians and leaving out key facts.

 “While the Governor portrays (the bill) as a wholesale attack on children, families and working people, the reality is far different,” Bentz said in a statement issued Tuesday.

In July, Congress passed H.R. 1. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.”  It has been criticized for its cuts to programs for working families and vital social services.

The bill would cut funding from the Oregon Health Plan, which is the state’s Medicaid program, and put more than 200,000 Oregonians at risk of losing health care coverage.  Following the bill’s passage, Kotek has said Oregon stands to lose more than $15 billion in federal funding for health care, food assistance and other programs over the next few years. 

“The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress have betrayed American children and families, who will become sicker, hungrier, and less prosperous because of President Trump’s budget bill,” Kotek said in a statement. “Oregonians will see less of their federal tax dollars coming back to our state for things they count on.”

Bentz defended the bill, saying it targets inefficiencies in state-administered programs.  Bentz cited Oregon’s current policy of providing more than two years of continuous Medicaid eligibility for most adults, even when income levels exceed federal thresholds or individuals gain employer-sponsored insurance. The bill would require states to review eligibility twice beginning in 2027. 

“The bill protects Medicaid for those it was meant to serve,” Bentz said. “Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families.” 

Bentz also criticized Kotek’s claims that the bill will impact food programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, commonly known as food stamps. New work requirements will likely reduce access to SNAP for Oregonians, Kotek said, and Kotek’s office has estimated Oregon will lose $3 billion in federal funding for SNAP in the next few years. The loss comes from a new fine imposed by the federal government on states with high payment error rates, which includes Oregon. The state of Oregon must shoulder a higher cost for administering the program if its error rate rises above 5%, which troubles Kotek and democrats in the state, because the fraud and abuse of the system is likely high.

In 2024, Oregon’s error rate was more than 14%.  “The only way to get a state’s attention is to levy a penalty when the state fails to do its job,” Bentz said. 

Bentz also criticized Kotek for failing to acknowledge other provisions in the bill, including $10 billion in tax cuts for farmers and ranchers, disaster relief funding, increased crop insurance support, and tax benefits for families and workers. Additional measures include increased funding for the military, border wall construction, and expansion of the Border Patrol.  “Silence on these important matters is one thing,” Bentz said, “but pushing out misleading and fear-generating statements regarding the bill is quite another.” 

Bentz’s full statement is here: 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz issued the following statement in response to Governor Tina Kotek’s recent comments regarding the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) on SNAP and Medicaid:  “Governor Kotek recently discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Her comments are misleading and leave out key facts about what this legislation does for Oregon. While the Governor portrays the OBBB as a wholesale attack on children, families, and working people, the reality is far different.  Democrats in Oregon have ignored the majority of the provisions in the bill and instead focused on the bill’s healthcare and nutrition assistance reforms. Here is the truth: this bill protects Medicaid for those it was meant to serve: seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families. The bill DOES NOT touch Medicare. Instead, it slows unchecked spending and begins the process of fixing billion-dollar loopholes in Medicaid that states have exploited for years. And like the Medicaid provisions, the reforms to SNAP (Food Stamps) are not aimed at cutting coverage but instead focus on state and individual accountability.  For example, Oregon is currently the only state in the nation that provides most adult Medicaid recipients with more than two years of continuous eligibility. As a result, even when people get jobs with access to employer-sponsored insurance or earn far in excess of 130% if the Federal Poverty Level, many stay on Medicaid. Studies have found that Oregon leads the nation in the percentage of people retaining Medicaid coverage. Why pay for insurance if you can get the federal government and state to pay for your coverage? The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently reported that more than 2.8 million Americans are potentially enrolled in both Medicaid and ACA exchange plans at the same time, costing taxpayers billions in duplicate coverage. This needs to change.  Starting in 2027, the OBBB will require that states conduct eligibility redeterminations twice annually for ACA expansion enrollees (able-bodied adults), replacing the patchwork of state schedules with a clear six-month standard. State programs will be able to automate verifications using federal data, such as Social Security numbers and death records, eliminating repetitive paperwork and catching cases of fraud. The bill invests $250 million in system upgrades to support these changes. Taken together, these reforms reduce administrative layers, speed benefit processing, and give states the resources they need for efficient, accountable implementation.  The bill takes long-overdue steps to restore integrity to the SNAP (Food Stamp) program. In 2024, Oregon once again had one of the worst SNAP error rates in the nation, with an error rate of 14.06%. Oregon’s performance as so bad that the state was fined millions of dollars but the federal government, but just a fraction of the actual amount the state had lost. SNAP error rates are a misuse of taxpayer funds because they pay out benefits incorrectly, wasting money that should go only to eligible recipients. The only way to get a state’s attention is to levy a penalty when the state fails to do its job. Under this bill, states with error rates above 5% will be required to contribute up to 20% of the cost of the SNAP state benefit unless corrective action is taken. States that stay below a 5% error rate will not be penalized.  The Governor failed to mention literally dozens of provisions in the bill beneficial to Oregonians, including: $10 billion in tax cuts for our farmers and ranchers, disaster relief funding, stronger crop insurance, and higher wheat reference prices. She failed to mention the extensions of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which prevented a 22% tax hike on millions of families, and new deductions for tips, overtime pay, Social Security benefits, and U.S.-made vehicles. She failed to mention that increasing timber harvest on federal lands as provided in the bill will create jobs and reduces wildfire risk. She failed to mention the 12.5 billion invested in improving our air traffic control systems. She failed to mention the increase in the child tax credit or the childcare tax benefits to employers. She failed to mention the added funding for the military, the funding for completion of the border wall, the funding for the addition of thousands more border patrol agents guarding the border against fentanyl and other drugs. She failed to mention opportunity zones, deductibility of investments in manufacturing, and increased support for energy development.  Overall, the Governor’s remarks failed to account for economic growth, higher wages, and reduced waste that these reforms will bring.  The Governor’s failures to mention any of these things, even though they mean so much to Oregonians, may be due to the fact that not one Democrat Congressman/woman from Oregon, including our Senators and all five of Oregon’s Democrat congresswomen, voted for this bill.  Silence on these important matters is one thing – but pushing out misleading and fear generating statements regarding the Bill is quite another. I do hope that the voters in Oregon will take the time to look at summaries of the OBBB and draw their own conclusions as to its value to them and to our nation.

 

A man from Coos County has received a 15-year sentence in federal prison for utilizing Facebook Messenger to sexually exploit a child.

According to prosecutors, 40-year-old Christopher Jay Young pressured a minor into sending explicit videos and encouraged them to provide additional content. Young was indicted the previous year and entered a guilty plea for attempting to use a minor to create sexually explicit material.

Following his prison term, he will also be subject to supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender.

 

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is collaborating with 21 other states to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the withholding of federal funds designated for crime victim services.

This legal action contests the newly imposed conditions that link Victims of Crime Act grants to state compliance with federal immigration enforcement, a stipulation that is prohibited by Oregon’s sanctuary law. Advocates caution that the potential loss of 15 million dollars in funding for the upcoming year could lead to the closure of shelters and resource centers throughout the state.

State officials contend that the administration is exceeding its authority by imposing political conditions on funds that were never authorized by Congress.

Or, maybe it’s just Trump Derangement Syndrome over and over from Oregon officials.

 

A man from Coos Bay entered a guilty plea on Monday regarding the drunk driving incident that resulted in the death of a cherished softball coach and a promising young student-athlete from Umpqua Community College in April.

Jonathan J. Dowdy pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree manslaughter for the fatalities of coach Jami Strinz, aged 46, and 19-year-old student Kiley Jones, as stated in court documents submitted to the Coos County Circuit Court.

Additionally, Dowdy admitted guilt to three counts of third-degree assault, five counts of fourth-degree assault, as well as charges of driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII).

Witnesses who were driving behind Dowdy’s pickup truck observed him swerving dangerously and almost hitting a concrete barrier before he crossed into oncoming traffic on Oregon 42, colliding head-on with the team bus around 10 p.m. on April 18, according to court documents.

One witness had been tailing Dowdy for several miles and had already contacted the police, as noted in a court memo authored by Coos County prosecutor John Blanc in May. First responders discovered both empty and unopened beer cans scattered along the four-lane state highway, and Dowdy’s blood-alcohol level was subsequently recorded at .22%, as mentioned in Blanc’s memo.

The community college team was returning home after a victory on Friday night when the bus overturned during the crash, resulting in injuries to all passengers and the deaths of the player and coach.

 

Oregon now one of the least favorable states for relocation

Oregon, with its sanctuary state status, growing homeless problem, growing high cost of housing and living, high income taxes, drug addiction problems, and a public education system facing pour student performance, funding, and staffing, has just been labeled as one of the least favorable states for relocation.

ConsumerAffairs has recently conducted a ranking of the best and worst states for moving. The findings indicate that Oregon, California, Louisiana, and New Mexico are among the least desirable states to relocate to.

Conversely, the top states for moving are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, and Virginia.

Hey Governor Kotek and state legislature, what are you going to do about that?  

 

Coos County Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Attempting To Sexually Eploit a Minor

• Bi Mart (Victimized twice)
• Cash Connection (Victimized twice)
• Highland Market
• Rogue Fly Shop
• Batteries Plus Bulb
• M Street Market
• Lucky Duck on Redwood Ave.
• Farmers Building Supply
• Don’s Bike Center
• Fields Home Improvement (in Josephine County)

During the months-long investigation, Anthony Boyd Mooney, a 33-year-old male of Grants Pass, was identified as the suspect. Last week, a Grand Jury panel heard testimony and indicted Mooney on the following charges:

• 12 counts of Burglary in the Second Degree
• 5 counts of Theft in the First Degree
• 11 counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
• 7 counts of Theft in the Second Degree

The whereabouts of Anthony Mooney are currently unknown, but he has several warrants for his arrest. Anyone with information on Mooney’s location should contact their local law enforcement agency to facilitate his arrest.

 

An Ashland man was arrested Thursday evening after reportedly chasing people with a pistol around a campground at Fall Creek Reservoir in Lane County.

According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), deputies responded to a campsite on Peninsula Road on the east side of Fall Creek Reservoir, northeast of Lowell, around 4:00 p.m.

LCSO says the victims reportedly fled the area after a strange man with a pistol had menaced them; deputies located the victims then responded to the area of the incident.

Deputies responded with an armored rescue vehicle and a drone operator. When deputies arrived at the area they found two people, one of whom matched the suspect description. LCSO says both were detained without incident.

After and additional investigation into the matter, deputies arrested 50-year-old Randy Kurtis Bounds for:

• Unlawful Use of a Weapon
• Three counts of Menacing

The second individual, identified as 33-year-old Amber Nicole Tyrone, was also arrested for a Eugene Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Appear – Criminal Trespass in the 2nd Degree.

Both were lodged at the Lane County Jail.

 

House Bill Helps To Remove House Squatters More Quickly

A new state law designed to address the growing issue of squatting in Oregon has been introduced. House Bill 3522, which was signed into law earlier this year, aims to provide law enforcement and property owners with essential clarity and authority in managing illegal occupants.

This legislation will come into effect in January 2026. The new law grants police the ability to take more immediate action in evicting individuals who are unlawfully occupying a property, eliminating the need for the protracted legal procedures that were previously required to differentiate between a squatter and a tenant.

This legislation represents a notable change in Oregon’s approach to illegal occupancy—striking a balance between the rights of property owners and due process, while also addressing loopholes that have permitted squatters to exploit legal ambiguities. As the law is set to be implemented in 2026, homeowners throughout the state are optimistic about achieving quicker resolutions and experiencing fewer legal complications in the future.

 

Legacy Mount Hood Nurses Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike After 21 Months of Failed Contract Talks. Frontline nurses at Legacy Mount Hood are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association

Portland, Ore. – More than two years after forming their union and after 21 months of bargaining, 400 registered nurses (RNs) at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, citing Legacy Health’s refusal to make meaningful investments in recruiting and retaining frontline caregivers, patient care, and fair wages and benefits.

“Mount Hood nurses have been more than patient. After nearly two years at the bargaining table, Legacy executives still refuse to address critical issues like fair pay and caps on insurance premiums—changes we need to recruit and retain the skilled nurses our patients rely on,” said Lille Charron, a nurse at Legacy Mount Hood and ONA vice-chair of the bargaining team. “We don’t want to strike, but if management continues to slow-roll negotiations, we are united and ready to act.”

Nurses at Legacy Mount Hood are demanding: 

• A voice in decision-making about patient care and workplace conditions 
• Fair compensation that is competitive with other health systems to recruit and retain more nurses
• Quality, affordable healthcare
• Protections against shifts being unilaterally shortened by management 
• Appropriate compensation for RNs who work during times of crisis including inclement weather. 

“We’re the ones at the bedside every day — we know our patients best,” Charron said. “We formed our union to speak up for the people we care for. A fair contract will help recruit and retain the nurses our community depends on, so every patient gets the safe, quality care they deserve.”

The vote does not set a strike date. Nurses are hoping upcoming mediation sessions on August 22 and 28 will result in a fair agreement and avert a strike. If a deal is not reached, nurses say they are prepared to act—and they have the support of RNs and frontline caregivers across the Legacy system.

 

Alaska Airlines is introducing seven new nonstop routes throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.

The airline will commence flights connecting Hollywood Burbank Airport with the Oregon cities of Eugene and Redmond. Additionally, a new route will be established between Burbank and Pasco, Washington. Further new routes will feature flights from Boise, Idaho to Ontario, California, along with connections from Spokane, Washington to Orange County, California.

The new routes from Alaska Airlines are set to launch in late October.

 

Eyes on SNAP Program Targets Fraud and Abuse

Oregon’s Department of Human Services is striving to reduce the frequency of miscalculations regarding the food stamp benefits that enrollees are entitled to receive.

This initiative aims to align with new federal regulations and prevent further financial pressure on the state’s largest agency.

Governor Tina Kotek provided insights into this initiative during an analysis of the Republican “Big Beautiful Bill.” According to the report, over 740,000 Oregonians participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, “will experience some modifications to their benefits.”

The state’s analysis recommended the implementation of “immediate executive level oversight” to minimize the instances of SNAP offices throughout the state either overpaying or underpaying benefits to enrolled Oregonians. The human services department has already begun to form a team to address this issue, as stated.

Oregon’s SNAP administrative error rate for 2024 stands at 14.06%, which is the eighth highest in the country. This rate must be reduced to below 6% to avoid incurring additional costs under the new federal guidelines, as indicated in the analysis. Failing to achieve this would result in Oregon being responsible for 75% of the administrative expenses associated with operating SNAP in the state, amounting to approximately $500 million every two years.

 

Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his spouse, Penny Knight, have contributed $2 billion to the Oregon Health and Science University, marking a record-breaking philanthropic initiative in their ongoing efforts to transform care for cancer patients.

This announcement was made during a press conference held at the Knight Cancer Center at OHSU. The purpose of the donation is to enhance diagnostics and improve access to clinical trials at OHSU, while also simplifying the process for patients and their families by providing additional resources and therapies.

The Knights, along with their foundation, have a long history of supporting OHSU, including the establishment of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. Additionally, the couple is involved in another initiative aimed at funding research known as the Knight Cancer Challenge, which commenced in 2013, where they pledged to match donations in a bid to raise $500 million for OHSU.

 

Parking fees are set to rise at Oregon State Parks this year. Beginning on October 1st, parking fees will be implemented at 21 state parks where they were previously exempt.

This list includes popular destinations such as Beverly Beach, Face Rock, Sunset Bay, Bullards Beach, Harris Beach, and Valley of the Rogue State Parks. Oregon Parks and Recreation indicates that these new fees are essential to address a 14% budget deficit and to sustain current service levels. Furthermore, overnight camping fees will increase next summer at the 29 most frequented parks throughout Oregon.

This encompasses Alfred A. Loeb, Cape Blanco, Humbug Mountain, and Umpqua Lighthouse State Parks. Beverly Beach, Bullards Beach, Sunset Bay, Harris Beach, and Valley of the Rogue State Parks will experience increases in both parking and camping fees. For additional details, please visit the Oregon State Parks website.

 

More Oregon Gas Taxes and DMV Fees Coming Your Way

Governor Tina Kotek has unveiled a proposal aimed at tackling the transportation crisis, which over the years serving in the Oregon legislature, she is partly responsible for creating.

The funding strategy encompasses an increased gas tax and DMV fees to avert layoffs and sustain services. The proposal seeks to ensure sufficient funding for the State Highway Trust Fund during the 2025-2027 biennium without diminishing emergency funding for other critical issues, such as wildfire suppression.

The revenue sources include a $0.06 increase in the gas tax (raising the total to $0.46), an additional $42 for vehicle registration, a rise in title fees, and a 0.1% increase in payroll tax.

A detailed examination of the revenue sources is available here. Half of the revenue generated from these measures will be allocated to preventing layoffs within the Oregon Department of Transportation. The remaining state highway funds will be distributed to counties and cities across the state according to the traditional 50/30/20 allocation.

Should additional revenues not be secured during a special session, layoffs are scheduled to commence on September 15, with a subsequent wave anticipated in January 2026.

 

The deadline for applications to the EBT Nutrition Program for Kids is September 3rd.

Families that meet the eligibility criteria can receive 120 dollars per child to assist with food expenses during periods when school nutrition programs are not in operation. Most qualifying school children received their benefits on May 22nd; however, families that did not automatically receive benefits can apply to determine their eligibility.

To learn more:

• Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
• Visit sebt.oregon.gov.

 

Oregon officials anticipate that President Donald Trump’s budget reconciliation bill will create a $1 billion deficit in the current state budget and may potentially have a more significant effect — possibly nearly $6 billion — in the 2027-29 budget.

According to a preliminary analysis released by the left-leaning Department of Administrative Services on Monday, the majority of these federal cuts will adversely affect food assistance for low-income Oregonians, as well as their medical insurance benefits.

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which aids Oregonians in affording food, is projected to provide $1.7 billion less than previously expected through 2029.

Additionally, the state’s Medicaid program is anticipated to experience an almost $5 billion decrease in federal funding, based on the calculations from the administrative services agency. The Oregonian/OregonLive in Portland has extensively reported on the potential impacts on Oregonians enrolled in the state health plan, hospitals, and other aspects of the state health care system. Furthermore, the Oregon Department of Transportation is also expecting to lose hundreds of millions in federal grants allocated for the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project.

• Stay informed sign up to receive evacuation at, ORAlert.gov remember to update information if need be.
• Find the websites for your county emergency management, sheriff’s office, or tribal police and follow them on social media.

 

Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.

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