Commentary
These are professionally written pieces of no more than 1000 words, which present an argument and use research to support the stated opinion. Writers are sharing their own personal opinion and not staff of Klamath Falls News. To submit an editorial click here.
The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints, and official policies of Klamath Falls News.
Who doesn’t love a good museum? Almost everyone has a fond memory of visiting one. However, the ballot in your mailbox (Measure 18-131) does not ask that question — whether you like museums or not — but rather should you soon double your tax payment for Klamath County museums.
You most likely have heard about the up-coming eclipse, but I want to remind you about specific ways to be ready for that weekend. There will be more people in our community and more demand for products, services, and infrastructure.
Since its founding in 1996, KCC has had a presence in Klamath County and has grown exponentially to over 10 on-campus buildings, a service district that now includes portions of Lake County, KCC Small Business Development Center and KCC Cosmetology facilities in downtown Klamath Falls, and online coursework serving students across the country, and military students around the world.
Commentary by, Chad Olney, CEO, Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union.
Dear fellow residents of Klamath, Lake, Modoc, and Siskiyou Counties, Beginning on Friday March 10th the 24-hour news cycle became all about banks, deposits, deposit insurance, and risks in the banking industry.
Commentary by, E. Werner Reschke, State Representative of Oregon, House District 55
We have concluded the 4th week of 22 weeks in the long legislative session of 2023. With a new House Speaker & Senate President, both chambers seem to be moving at a slightly slower pace than with previous sessions. This extra time is good, as it allows legislators, the media and the public to better keep up with what is happening and give their opinions on various bills.
Commentary by, E. Werner Reschke, State Representative, Oregon House District 55
The 82nd Legislative Session began this week on Tuesday. Constitutionally, the session runs a maximum of 160 days, between January 17 and June 25. State lawmakers will be debating policy on behalf of their constituents as well as passing a balanced budget for the next two years (2023-2025).
Commentary by, Chris Kaber, Klamath County Sheriff
The last release from this office concerning Ballot Measure 114 and implications to lawful firearms owners was almost a month ago. We have not issued more public updates due to the ever-changing stream of confusing and inaccurate information and the unfortunate fact that no clear answers were available.
Commentary by, Chris Kaber, Klamath County Sheriff
As of today, it is unclear whether Ballot Measure 114 has passed with a majority of votes throughout the state. In Klamath County, 76% voted “No” on this measure.
Klamath County Residents,
Organized Crime; that is what we are up against. The laws of Oregon are specific when they define that term and it includes two or more individuals conspiring to engage in criminal activity as a significant source of income or to aid or abet the violation of criminal laws; to include cannabis production and distribution.
Klamath Pride 2022, a free community gathering, is being hosted on July 16th, 2022 at Veterans Park to celebrate community inclusion. This event is family friendly and will have all-ages socializing, activities, booths, community resources and support, music, and performances! Many local volunteers, youth, businesses, and organizations are coming together to help celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and build allyship.
Commentary by, Anne Marie Moss, Communications Director, Oregon Farm Bureau
In recognition of National Ag Day, March 22, the Oregon Farm Bureau invites readers to remember the importance of farmers and ranchers to their daily lives.
Commentary by, Jennifer Little, Director of Klamath County Public Health
We are in an interesting period of the pandemic. The quarantine or isolation period is five days and in most cases it takes more than five days to receive test results.
What should a person do? One of the most important things we can all do is stay home if we are sick. If you suspect you have COVID-19, stay home for five days. Some people might experience fever longer than five days; they should be fever-free for 24 hours before leaving home.
Commentary by, Jessica Gomez, Medford businesswoman, Republican candidate for Governor
Public education, our students, working parents and businesses, will all be casualties in the battle over the four-day work week.
Commentary by, Oregon House Representative, E. Werner Reschke
On Monday, September 20, 2021, the Legislature was called into a special session to redraw the district lines for State Representatives, State Senators, and U.S. Representatives. This constitutional requirement is to be done by the legislature every 10 years to account for a shift in population
Commentary by, Klamath County Hoteliers (KlamathTourism.com)
Ballots are due by Tuesday the 18th for this May election. You might not think a May election ballot is worth your time to turn in, but Klamath County Hoteliers have grouped together to ask you to VOTE NO. The only measure on the ballot is for an increase of 3% to the Klamath County Transient Room Tax collection. The description on the ballot lists that, with the passage, the county tourism tax would increase from the current 8% to 11%. However, there is a lot that the County is not telling you.
Klamath Project irrigators find themselves in a situation that is eerily similar to 2001. Unfortunately, there will be extremely minimal to no water from Upper Klamath Lake for irrigation this year. This will not change for the 2021 crop season, regardless of current efforts in various venues to make things work for irrigators. Upper Klamath Lake has been…
Getting the shot I felt nothing short of thrilled- 2 weeks from now I'll have 95% protection from this horrible virus that has turned our world upside down. A few hours later? I grumbled goodnight to my husband and pulled blankets over my head and prepared for a long weekend.
Commentary by, Kelley Minty Morris, Klamath County Commissioner
The role of a County Commissioner is to work for every citizen of Klamath. In this county, most of us appreciate the diversity of opinion, our individualism, and yet our commitment to community. I proudly work for the citizens of Klamath County.
Commentary by, Chris Kaber, Klamath County Sheriff
During the upcoming Holiday Season, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens of Klamath County for their efforts this year in helping us keep the county as safe as possible. The year 2020 has proved difficult to navigate with many surprises, abrupt changes, and tragedies along the way. From the onset of a world-wide pandemic to the fires experienced throughout the…
Commentary by, E. Werner Reschke, State Representative House District 56
Oregon’s Speaker of the House has asked the Governor to consider calling a special session in December using a never-used Oregon constitutional provision: Article X-A. This provision was written and amended to provide for a functioning state government given a catastrophic disaster like a massive earthquake, war, tsunami, etc.
Commentary by, 51 Klamath Falls Health Care Professionals
As frontline healthcare professionals, we are seriously concerned about the potential impact of the statements released by the Klamath County Commissioners and Sheriff Kaber on November 18th.
Commentary by, Rep. E. Werner Reschke. On Friday, the Governor issued new mandates for a two week “freeze” from November 18th through December 2nd, claiming concerns about rising COVID cases in Oregon.
It is important to note that many of her orders are unconstitutional from both a Federal and State perspective. It does not matter what her reasons are, what she claims, or what statues she may cite.
Commentary by, Kevin Hoar
Communications Director for the Oregon Republican Party
Despite COVID-19 cases rising, Kate Brown announces return to in-person schooling due to election politics, not science. Oregon GOP calls out Governor for playing games trying to save her candidates from voter ager.
Commentary by, Ryan McNiven, Klamath Falls
The Citizens to Reopen Klamath County, formerly Klamath County Patriots, wanted to respond to the recent Herald and News article regarding our gathering at the fairgrounds. We realize there are questions about who we are, what we represent, and what our goals are. As responsible community partners, we wanted to take the opportunity to clarify these questions.
Commentary by, Faith Leith, Democrat Candidate Oregon House District 56
My name is Faith Leith. As the Democratic candidate for House District 56, I must respond to Rep. E. Werner Reschke’s argument in the October 4 Herald and News. He pretends that Republicans in Salem are ignored by the Democrats as they...
My name is Faith Leith and I am in the race for House District 56 (Klamath Falls, Lakeview, Malin, Merrill, and Bonanza). I was asked to answer three questions: Who I am? Why I decided to run against Rep. E. Werner Reschke? And why you should vote for me?
On Saturday evening what many worried might eventually happen, did. A man was gunned down in cold blood during another night of violence and vandalism in Portland — which has been raging on for months. A young man, who was wearing a Patriot Prayer hat, was killed for no other apparent reason than he held a different political view than the street mob.
Commentary by, Klamath Tribal Council
From time immemorial, the inherent rights to hunt, fish, and gather have defined our tribal way of life. Despite relentless striving to protect and preserve our way of life, our cultural vitality, the Klamath Tribes have endured over a century of upheaval and dishonorable treatment by the larger, colonizing society.
Op-Ed Commentary by, E. Werner Reschke, State Representative District 56 of Oregon.
We are all too familiar with the senseless violence happening on the streets of Portland each night. I commend the local police, Oregon State Police and Federal Agents who have done their best to protect property and people, given the political handcuffs they must wear. It takes men and women of real character to face adversity and chaos night after night, knowing the work of keeping the peace is a dangerous job, being also despised by some.
Commentary by, E. Werner Reschke (State Representative District 56)
2020 has turned out differently than most of us envisioned. In January if I had written an email with the terms “Coronavirus” or “Social Distancing”, I suspect you would’ve tilted your head as you thought about such a strange world. Now several months in and after a second extension of the Governor’s state of emergency, we find ourselves wondering how to celebrate our nation’s birthday.