Merkley-Supported Food Safety Bill Passes Senate

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley announced that today the U.S. Senate passed the Food Safety Modernization Act by a vote of 73 to 25. This bill provides historic modernization to our food safety systems while giving small family farms reasonable exemptions to continue operating without unnecessary regulation. A provision pushed by Merkley requires the FDA to crate rules for tracing processed food.

Heavy equipment auctioned this week

The US Forest Service is selling surplus vehicles and equipment via public internet auction this week. The Klamath National Forest is selling 61 items, including trucks and trailers to the highest online bidder. You can go to gsaauctions.gov if you're interested. The auction will close December 6th.

Your input needed this weekend

The Citizens for Public Safety committee would like your input. Fire safety issues will be identified at a meeting this Saturday, and all of those in attendance can help brainstorm for resolution in Klamath County. Recommendations from the meeting will be forwarded to community policy and budget makers. The meeting will be held Saturday from 9 to 3 at the Center for Occupational Health.

Changes with Running Y's new ownership

The Running Y Ranch in Klamath Falls officially has new owners. The JELD-WEN resort has been sold to Northview Hotel Group along with Oaktree Capital Management, and the transaction was just recently finalized. Managers and associates are expected to stay on that the resort as the Northview group upgrades the facility. Lobby and guest room rennovations are expected, with a renewed focus on hospitality.

Lung cancer high in Klamath County

It turns out that Klamath County has a higher rate of lung cancer than the rest of the state. Dr. Brad Kramer of the Cancer Treatment Center in Klamath Falls says smoking is the main cause of about 90 percent of lung cancer cases he sees. Smog may also be a factor, but smoking remains the biggest cause.

Free camping

Winter camping is free for the third year in a row along the Lower Crooked River corridor. The Bureau of Land Management won't require fees, but there is a 14-day stay limit in effect. The Lower Crooked River has nine campgrounds and fees won't return until April 1, 2011.

Solar Workshop this week

A free workshop happens Wednesday called the Residential Basics of Going Solar, presented by Solar Oregon and the Oregon Renewable Energy Center. You'll gain an understanding of solar's advantages. Technologies and tax credits will also be discussed. The workshop is free, from 4 to 5pm in the College Union at the Oregon Institute of Technology.

Want the League of Women Voters to stay?

The League of Women Voters will meet a week from tomorrow, December 8th to try to keep the Klamath Falls chapter going. This will be a 12:15pm meeting next Wednesday, with another one scheduled in the days that follow and that start time will be after work. If you can't make the meetings, please forward your interest in the chapter to Klamath Sustainable Communities.org.

Holiday arrests

The Oregon State Patrol says over the holiday weekend there were 47 DUII arrests across the state, with three of those in Klamath Falls. Overall, the number of arrests were down slightly from last year.

Three indicted in Allen murder

18 year old Troy Shane Allen of Chiloquin was killed November 18th and three men have been indicted for his murder. Chiloquin residents Ezzard Ossmus Jackson, and Reggie Lee Townsend, plus Fort Klamath resident Danny Torres were arrested a few days after Allen's death, and formally charged yesterday. Prosecutors say more charges could be filed in the next two to three weeks.

Benefit Event Dec. 11

The former Piedmont Golf Course clubhouse east of Klamath Falls will be the setting for a benefit event dubbed “Christmas at the Piedmont” on Saturday, Dec. 11th. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple for the event that runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the Klamath County Museum.

Going Solar Workshop Set

A free workshop "Residential Basics of Going Solar" on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 4 - 5 p.m. in the College Union, Mt. Mazama room.
Solar Oregon and the Oregon Renewable Energy Center is having a free workshop "Residential Basics of Going Solar" on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 4 - 5 p.m. in the College Union, Mt. Mazama room. This free workshop covers the basics of why solar is a smart choice for Oregon homeowners

Ashland Christmas parade

Ashland held their 18th annual Christmas parade Friday with a focus on giving...and recycling. Ashland Boy Scouts promoted the troop's January Christmas tree recycling. And you've heard of candy being passed out at parades, but this time copies of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" came from one float. Hundreds turned out for the parade.

Hatfield hospitalized

Former Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield has been in a Maryland hospital for several weeks, according to a longtime aid. The aid says Hatfield, who is 88 now, is being held for observation at the National Institutes of Health hospital. Hatfield served as both Oregon governor and secretary of state. He was a U.S. Senator for 30 years, from 1967 to 1997, when he retired.

Foiled terror plot in Portland

Tensions are still high in Portland after the discovery of a holiday weekend bomb plot at a Christmas tree lighting event. The FBI was able to swoop in and make an arrest before anything happened, but federal agents say the threat was very real and Mohamed Osmaan Muhamed was committed to major damage. US Attorney General of Oregon, Dwight Holton, told NBC 2 the impact should not spread further than it has to.






Mohamed will be in court today.

Christmas parade approaching

An upcoming parade is expected to drawy thousands. The 2010 Snowflake Parade sponsored by Wal-Mart of Klamath Falls is scheduled for December 9th at 7 p.m. The parade route begins at Spring Street, travels down Main Street, and ends at Veteran’s Park. You can get applications for parade floats at the Chamber offices at 205 Riverside Drive. The parade is limited to the first 100 entries and the deadline for applications is this Wednesday.

Cyber Monday

Black Friday was the biggest day of the year to shop in person. Today you're probably seeing lots of deals in your email, as today is cyber Monday...the biggest online shopping of the year. Economic analysts expect us to spend 107 million dollars today, up from 96 million dollars last year. With a big online shopping day comes the risk for fraud, so officials say if you don't trust a particular site or deal, don't shop there.

Rose Williams update

Two years ago Rose Williams lost her hand and leg in a Klamath Falls train accident, and she continues to recover. She had her boyfriend decided to run away in 2008, but plans changed when she slipped and fell in the train yard and landed under the passing train. Williams has had several surgeries and has been fitted with prosthetics. In a feature in the Statesman Journal, she says her big goal for the future is to run a marathon.

Freezing weather precautions for homeowners

Southern Oregon is expected to see several days in a row of extreme cold, and with temperatures below zero at night in the Klamath Basin, weatherization of your home is important. Experts say homes built before 1980 are most at risk of having frozen pipes, so let those drip. You're also advise to turn sprinkler systems off.

How do you feel about the 1099 mandate?

The Government Affairs Committee has made a recommendation that the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce urge the US Senate to repeal the 1099 Mandate that is part of the health care overhaul. The mandate would require businesses to file IRS 1099 forms anytime they spend more than 600 dollars on goods and services in a year. A US Senate vote to repeal the mandate is expected Monday. The Chamber is taking your input in the meantime.

Waste collection affected by the weather

Waste management says the weather could delay collections again today. If you have Wednesday service set your container by the curb, but if it's not collected by 5pm remove it from the street. The twice the regular amount of trash will be accepted on your regularly scheduled day next week.

ODOT report

Oregon Dept of Transportation trucks were out in full force yesterday, working especially hard to keep drivers safe on Highway 140. Trucks over 10 thousand pounds were asked to add chains yesterday. Today is the busiest travel day of the year, and ODOTencourages you to check road conditions on TripCheck.com before hitting the road.

Shopping means jobs?

An estimated 138 millions shoppers across the country are expected to hit the stores at some point this weekend, with electronics likely getting the most attention. Many retailers are offering deep discounts, and retail analysts say that may pay off for everyone.

112410-Cohen-retailers and jobs

Sustaining jobs would be a welcome sight for unemployment numbers. Nationally the rate sits around 9 percent, according to figures released yesterday by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Oregon has been virtually unchanged for a year at 10.5 percent.

MOving OUtdoors in Nature

Children today spend less time outdoors than any other generation in history. That's the impetus for legislation newly-introduced in Congress - the Moving Outdoors in Nature Act - which would encourage Oregon, and all states, to help reconnect kids to nature. atric Fitzgerald is an education expert with the National Wildlife Federation - who points to the legislation as a way to restore balance to kids’ lives






Fitgerald says it's especially important in Oregon, where the economy has ties to the Great Outdoors.

Notes about winter driving

The Oregon Department of Transportation says in winter weather its first priority is Interstate 5, and then Highways 62 and 238. It will be using all of it's sanders, deicers and plows to help.

Mark Cox, the Director of the Bridgestone Driving School says keep one thing in mind.






ODOT says drivers should keep gas tanks full and allow plenty of time.

Weather delays trash pickup

If you put your trash out yesterday and it wasn't collected, that was due to the weather. Waste management says if containers were not emptied by 5pm yesterday, remove them from the street and they'll collect up to twice as much trash next Monday at no extra charge.

Food donation today

Grange Co-op and Noonan Farms of Klamath Falls are donating a truckload of organic potatoes to food banks in Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties today. The Noonans are donating 200 pounds of cheese to local food banks as well. And this time of year, food banks can put it to great use.

Blast from the past at the Klamath County Museum

Many will be shopping this holiday weekend, but if you're in the mood for something different there's always the museum. The Klamath County Museum will unveil more the a hundred historic photos and numerous other items during a special program this Friday and Saturday. A couple of the items include a menu from the Bluebird Sweet and Eats cafe on Main Street in Klamath Falls. Also a Woody Guthrie songbook with a song about Klamath Falls. The first show will be Friday evening at 7pm and it will be repeated Saturday morning at 10. Admission is free.

White Christmas is coming

The Klamath County the Chamber of Commerce has announced the 9th Annual White Christmas open house is set for Wednesday December 15th from 4 to 7pm. That will be a time to donate to Toys for Tots with new unwrapped toys, as well as the Klamath-Lake Counties Food Banks with nonperishable items. This year's event is sponsored by Servpro of Klamath and Lake Counties.

Program for first-time home buyers

If you're looking to buy a home right now this program may help you. Oregon Housing and Community Services is offering its residential loan program again, after suspending it for two years previously. The program helps low and moderate-income families in Oregon buy their first home by providing below-market rate financing and cash assistance through its Residential loan program. The state will generate about 55 million dollars to invest in the program through tax-exempt revenue bonds. For more about the program, just go to oregonbond.us.

Suspect Names in Thursday Shooting Death Released

A news release from Klamath County District Attorney Edwin Caleb this morning provides further details in a shooting reported last Thursday in Chiloquin. Troy Allen was fatally shot shortly after 10pm that evening, according to Caleb. It was a drive-by shooting, in which more than half a dozen rounds were fired at the home on East Lake from a vehicle speeding by. Based on their investigation and tips, police have identified 19-year old Ezra Jackson, 18-year old Reggie Townsend and 28-year old Danny Tores as suspect in the case. Caleb did not say what charges his office plans to file in relation to the death of Allen.

Macy's Parade features local students

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is tradition for many, and this year you might see some local students on the telecast. Ashland High School Senior Olivia Bacon won a spot on the All American Cheerleading Team this summer. She will join a group of 200 cheerleaders from across the country to dance in the parade in New York City. The Grants Pass High School Marching Band is also performing. They raised over $310,000 to make the trip.

Jeld-Wen sale

Klamath Falls-based Jeld-Wen, announced Friday it's selling its Oregon resorts to Northview Hotel Group and the private equity firm Oaktree Capital Management. The resorts communities are in Powell Butte, Redmond, and Klamath Falls. Jeld-Wen of course known for its window and door manufacturing.

Drive by investigation continues

Police are hunting for a killer as a result of a drive by shooting near Chiloquin Thursday night. 18-year old Allen Troy of Chiloquin was struck in the chest by bullets and fatally wounded.

Klamath county sheriff Tim Evinger talked with KDRV






Police say Allen was visiting the home at the time of the shooting and did not live there.

Shooting update

An arrest has been made in last week's shooting of Jose Covarubias in Malin (MUH-lin). Covarubias told police he was with his four year old son, who was sleeping in the back seat of the car when a vehicle pulled up, turned on the high beams, and someone stepped out of the vehicle. Covarubias began to drive away and was struck in the head by a bullet. Miguel Barajas was taken into custody a short time later in Inglewood, California after Klamath County detectives convinced him to turn himself in.

Nursing program to begin at KCC

If you've ever thought about entering a career in nursing, now is a great time for it. A new practical nursing program at Klamath Community College opens in the spring of 2011, after gaining approval from the Oregon State Board of nursing late last week. Information sessions will be held at KCC tomorrow from 10am to 11am and from 4 to 5pm in the board room in building three. Two more sessions at the same time and place are set for next Wednesday December 1st. Start date for the program is March 28th, 2011.

State Revenue Continues to Slip

Oregon's State Economist told legislators today that despite slight gains in private-sector jobs, loss of jobs in the government sector has caused a decline in total employment during the third quarter, keeping Oregon's unemployment rate at 10.5 percent, virtually unchanged over the past 12 months. Revenue projects for the biennium are now $1.2 billion dollars below what was forecast at the end of the last legislative session.

State Unemployment Steady, Revenue Projections Adjusted Down

Oregon's State Economist Tom legislators today that despite slight gains in private-sector jobs, loss of jobs in the government sector has caused a decline in total employment during the third quarter, keeping Oregon's unemployment rate at 10.5 percent, virtually unchanged over the past 12 months. State revenues for the biennium are projected to be short 1.2-billion dollars from what was projected at the end of last lesgislative session.

Chamber Awards set

The date has been set for the 90th Annual awards gala with the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. The group will celebrate the accomplishments of its members and the community on January 29, 2011 at the Ross Ragland Theater.

Seasonl hiring

If you're looking for seasonal work, several stores are hiring. Dollar Tree stores in the area, Ashland included, are boosting their work force with hires this week. Hundreds are showing up to apply at some locations, so the competition is fierce.

Douglas County dog show this weekend

Jaime Guajardo of Klamath Falls is one of hundreds of people competing in this weekend's dog show in Douglas County. The Wild Rivers Cluster Dog Show at the Douglas County Fairgrounds is one of the biggest dog shows in Oregon. About 750 dogs have been entered this year, which is down compared to past years. The show is from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and runs through Sunday. There are also booths set up for canine health testing and dog supplies. Parking is $5, and admission into the show is free.

Nightfire 2

Nightfire Natural Foods in downtown Klamath Falls will close December 21st if new owners are not found. KAGO asked owner Jay Treetop what affect the closing of his business might have on the downtown area. Would it have an impact?






Treetop is hoping investors will come forward. Otherwise the store will close before Christmas.

Nightfire Natural Foods will close unless investors are found

We mentioned yesterday one downtown business may close due to finances. Nightfire Natural Foods will close December 21st if new owners are not found.

KAGO spoke with owner Jay Treetop about what it would take to keep the store open.






Treetop would stay on for a month to make sure the transition goes smoothly.

Christmas Tree Permits Go on Sale Monday

Permits to cut Christmas trees on the Fremont-Winema National Forest will go on sale beginning Monday. They cost $5 and are valid for the cutting of one tree. Of course there are several rules attached: you can cut only on marked cutting lands in the national forest, you have to attach the permit to the tree and make sure it's visible during transports. Cutting areas are available in Klamath and Lake counties.

Ashland Acupuncturist Loses License, Must Pay State Fine

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger today announced an agreement with Paul Shandor Weiss, who operated the Ashland-based business, Arura Clinic of Natural Medicine, that settles allegations that he misrepresented his licensing status and ability to practice naturopathic medicine in Oregon. Weiss was formerly licensed as a naturopath, but surrendered his license in early 2010 after several serious complaints were filed with the Board. Weiss retained his license to practice acupuncture. According to the Attorney General, Weiss continued to advertise and provide services outside the scope of his license at the time. Weiss will have to pay $50,000 and cease practicing any sort of medicine in the state.

Unemployment rate steady

Oregon's unemployment rate still sits at 10.5 percent, unchanged from last month. Washington's is still steady at 9.1 percent. Although the jobless rate is still elevated, state employment economist Nick Beleiciks (Buh-lay-check) says there is a bright spot.






The national jobless rate was 9.6 percent in October.

Less patroling for Klamath County deputies

Five Klamath County Sheriff's deputies have recently moved on to other jobs, with another four or five deputies actively seeking new jobs. It's directly related to budget cuts, after a 1.2 million dollar cut was implemented. Beginning in January, instead 24 hour patrol coverage in Klamath County, there will only be one 10 to 12 hour shift, according to the Herald and News.

Downtown business to close

Many enjoy shopping downtown, but a lack of community support may cause one downtown business to close. Nightfire Natural Food will reportedly close December 21st if a new owner is not found. Jay Treetop and his wife, Katie, opened Nightfire in 2005 after moving to the Klamath Basin and experience initial success, mostly from folks who had moved here from California and Colorado. Those customers moved away in a down economy. The Treetops are hoping new owners will step in.

Growth spurt for KCC

It's good news and bad news when something grows quickly. Since Klamath Community College opened 14 years ago, enrollment has tripled and its campus has doubled in size. At the same time, administrators are facing budget issues that forced the college to cut $672,000 this year. KCC president Gerald Hamilton told the Herald and News, the college is working with teachers on salary negotiations and will do its best under the circumstances.

Pagaents this weekend

Thirteen Klamath Basin teens will compete this weekend for titles in the Miss Klamath County Outstanding Teen and Miss City of Sunshine Outstanding Teen pageants. The contestants will be judged in several categories, including interview, talent, evening and active wear, and an on-stage question. The competition is a preliminary for the Oregon Outstanding Teen and Miss America Outstanding Teen pageants. The local competition happens Saturday at 2pm at Mills Auditorium.

Long appointed to national position

Michael R. Long of Klamath County has been appointed to a national position with the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council. He takes on the new responsibilities January 1st. Long was nominated by the National Association of Counties

Geothermal drilling to begin

Drilling is about to begin on geothermal wells nearby. It will be a 120 million dollar geothermal plant at Crump Geyser in southeastern Lake County. Drilling will begin later this month, and the plant should generate up to 30 megawatts of power when it's completed. It is scheduled to be in service before the end of 2013.

Triple A says Thanksgiving will be busy

Next week will be a big week for travel, and it has already been a busy year according to Triple A's Marie Dodds.






Dodds adds it may be a record breaking Thanksgiving.






Wednesday afternoon will be the time when the most people are on the road.

Klamath Falls Man Held in Nevada for Grand Theft Auto

A Klamath Falls man is being held in Elko, Nevada on charges he stole several vehicles. Elko Police Chief Don Zumwalt tells KAGO 23-year old Francisco Hernandez was found stumbling around the scene of an accident in that community early Monday. The car he had smashed into a phone pole was stolen, and as officers dug deeper, they found evidence of a series of similar thefts. Hernandez already faces multiple counts of auto theft, and Zumwalt says more may be coming:






Bond for Hernandez was initially set at 20-thousand dollars.

Ducks and Beavers more than just football

The civil war game is coming up and that means the civil war blood drive is underway in Lane County. Everyone who donates gets a vote for the Ducks or Beavers, and at last check the Beavers were leading by quite a lot. The Oregon/Oregon State game is set for December 4th.

Education in Oregon

Oregon and seven other states are about to put more emphasis on practical classroom experience in the states' schools. Oregon plans to follow the recommendation of a national blue-ribbon panel that teacher education programs should shift their emphasis from academic coursework to putting student teachers in the classroom with more hands on work.

Illegal killings of deer on the rise

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has found that poachers are killing as many mule deer as legal hunters in the state. The mule deer population continues to drop, and poaching is considered to be a leading factor. Ken Hand of Klamath Falls is the regional director of the nonprofit Mule Deer Foundation based in Salt Lake City. He says Poaching is going on all over the state, 365 days a year. Law enforcement is doing their best to track down poachers and prosecute.

Bend Police Look for Aremed Robber, Car Thief

Police are looking for an "armed and dangerous" gunman who held up a 71-year-old man in northeast Bend Monday night, taking his wallet and car. The victim reportedly was unhurt but surely shaken up after the incident, reported around 7:15 p.m. in the area of 515 NE Fourth Street, near Franklin Avenue. The robber made off with the man's wallet and car keys, then jumped in his car and drove off.

Citizens for public safety meeting tonight

If you haven't gotten involved yet with the Citizens for Public Safety committees, it's not too late. Citizens have gotten involved on committees ranging from law enforcement to health services as a way of making sure the public interest is promoted. Kelley Minty Morris says if you choose not to get involved by committee, you can still send an email.






The health services committee meets today at 5:30 in the community meeting room at the police department.

Four Loko banned in Washington

So far five states have banned the alcohol energy drink Four Loko. Washington's ban goes into effect today, and governor Christine Gregoire (Greg wahr) has a strong opinion about it.






Four Loko contains as much alcohol as a 6 pack of beer and as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. There have been several reports of incidents on college campuses where students passed out and had to be hospitalized. Again, Washington's ban goes into effect today. Oregon has yet to ban the drink. There is some talk the FDA may step in so the decision is not left up to the states.

Bates wins

It appears it's finally official. In a cliffhanger race for the state senate, final unofficial votes show Democratic state Sen. Alan Bates is the winner. Results posted by Jackson County give Medford resident Bates 50.22 percent of the vote, while Republican Dave Dotterrer of Ashland gets 49.66 percent. Both candidates received over 24 thousand votes, with Bates getting just 274 more votes than Dotterrer.

Klamath Falls warrant leads to arrest

A Klamath Falls warrant led to the arrest of a man at the scene of a weekend shooting. Linn County Sheriff's deputy, David Francis shot a suspected prowler late Saturday night in Brownsville. 26-year-old Jesse Seeley continued driving for about five miles after being shot and was found dead in a field off Lake Creek Drive. The passenger, 31-year-old Shane Atterberry was arrested for the warrant out of Klamath Falls. The deputy is on administrative leave while the investigation continues.

Horse rescue is a win-win

We've reported on a spike in horse rescues statewide in a challenging economy. Klamath Falls based Blue Sky Horse Rescue rescues, trains, and gets the horses out for adoption. Blue Sky's Roy Agard says it's win-win.






Blue Sky is a no-kill rescue, and works with the horses until they are adopted. Agard adds many Klamath Falls residents follow the rescue efforts on Facebook.

Klamath Falls horse rescue group the largest in Oregon

Klamath Falls is home to the largest horse rescue in the state of Oregon.

Blue Sky Horse Rescue's Roy Agard:






Blue Sky is a no kill rescue, so while other organizations put horses down, Blue Sky trains them and works tirelessly to find the rescues new homes. Agard says he often has as many as 300 rescues to work with at one time, and has seen a spike because of the challenging economy.

Horse rescues impacted by the economy

As people struggle with bills in a challenging economy, it often becomes hard to care for animals. Roy Agard of Blue Sky Horse Rescue in Klamath Falls has seen an impact.






Agard says he gets twenty calls a week, and can have as many as 300 horses in the rescue at a time. Has has received rescues from as far away as Chicago. Many Klamath Falls residents keep track of the horse rescues on Facebook.

Input from boaters sought

Oregon State Marine Board traditionally has catered mostly to powerboaters, but is now in the midst of creating a strategic plan to chart its course over the next five years — including how to reach out to the growing number of kayakers, canoeists and others who use Marine Board programs. The group is seeking public input in a series of meetings. The first is tonight at the Jackson County Training Center at 7.

Buy Oregon

Exports will play a crucial role as Oregon continues to climb out of the recession. China is Oregon's biggest customer, and exports to China shot up 50% this year compared with the first nine months of last year. That amounts to more than $3 billion dollars. Oregon State Representative Dennis Richardson says 1/3 of the Chinese market is USA, and if they're going to buy US they ought to buy Oregon. The will be a continued focus as the economy recovers.

United Way in neighboring Jackson County in its final push

The United Way of Jackson County is at 58 percent of its goal of 875 thousand dollars in the current fund drive, which ends Thursday. The fund drive which kicked off September 10th is in its final push and needs contributions to fun prenatal care and bereavement counseling and lots in between. The group is also involved in Southern Oregon Meth Project. Visit unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org for more.

Starving horses

Two weeks ago an anonymous tipster led authorities to a pasture outside Salem where they found starving horses in a pasture. The owner, a 35-year-old woman struggling with debt, agreed to turn over the registered horses to a sanctuary where they're being fattened up. Overall it appears there are more abandoned and malnourished horses in Oregon than ever before. Blue Sky Horse Rescue in Klamath Falls is doing what they can to help. If you'd like to get involved contact the Oregon Humane Society.

Unemployment

The unemployment rate in Klamath and Lake counties has been in double digits since 2008, and in Klamath County it most recently was at 14 percent, according to data from state employment agency WorkSource Klamath. The national rate sits at 9.6 percent, relatively unchanged since May.

Most Oregon schools on the rise

Oregon's state universities are seeing record enrollment. Southern Oregon University saw the strongest gains in the state, a reported 26 percent. Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls did see a drop at 3 percent. OIT has almost 3800 students enrolled this fall. Oregon State University reported an 8.2 percent increase in enrollment, with the University of Oregon reporting a 4.5 percent increase. Portland State University, has 28,522 students, an increase of just 2 percent.

Danger Den gets good reviews

Astoria-based Danger Den has shipped its new product to rave reviews so far. Danger Den worked closely with Nvidia on its new waterblock, or GTX 580 Waterblock. It's technology that keeps Nvidia's card cool.

Veteran's Court established

We learned this week about the establishment of a Veteran's Court in Klamath County. It's a first in the state of Oregon. The court will oversee treatment of the veterans in the criminal justice system that are struggling with substance abuse or mental health disorders.

Marci Adkisson is a Veteran's Court judge






Klamath Falls District Attorney Ed Caleb says he hopes the court will not only improve the lives of veterans, but save taxpayers money by cutting down on repeat offenders. The court was set up with federal grants, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs provides treatment.

Foreclosures down

Home foreclosures are down in Klamath Falls. The latest numbers were reported by Gorilla Capital, and show a 14 percent decrease in Klamath County from Septmeber to October. Overall, foreclosures in the state fell 9 percent. Gorilla Capital CEO John Helmick says the peak for foreclosures seems to have happened in January of this year and things have stabilized a bit since then.

Chemult Rail Staiton Dedicated

Amtrak officials say they expect a new train station in Klamath County that was dedicated yesterday will serve about 9-thousand passengers a year. The dedication ceremony happened yesterday afternoon at the station in Chemult, which cost about 600-thousand dollars to build and includes a welcome center. It's the closest passenger rail station for Bend, La Pine, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters.

Veteran's Day Parade

Veterans Day Parade downtown will begin today at 11am on Spring St. and conclude at Veterans Memorial Park at Main and Klamath Ave. A ceremony following will include placing wreaths for each military era. And the event will feature guest speaker, Col. Jim Miller who is Commander for the 173rd Fighter Wing.

Hookah Use Expanding Among Teens

A study released today indicates that hookah tobacco smoking among Oregon teens is increasing. Officials worry that the popularity of hookah smoking is creating a one-step-forward, two-steps-back situation in the battle against tobacco use. Hookah tobacco is no safer than regular tobacco, and the health risks of burning the extra flavors aren't known.

Junction City Mobile Home Fire Investigation Continues

Officials say they are still investigating the cause of a mobile home fire near Junction City Saturday night. Just a few walls of the home remain standing after the blaze, which was reported about 8:30pm Saturday. No one was home; the fire was noticed by a neighbor. The family is staying with relatives and is being helped by the Red Cross.

College Event Tonight in Medford

Are you or someone in your family still weighing the college decision? An event tonight may help. It's at the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center in Medford from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The center is at 101 S. Bartlett St. It's free and is limited to the first 400 teens 16 and older who arrive.