Sunset on Modoc Ridge looking over Upper Klamath Lake. June 18, 2021. (Image: Brian Gailey)

UPDATE - 1:00 PM, July 21, 2021

I am back. Still not feeling 100% but I am back. Even though I never really left, I did reduce my workload for a few weeks. But as of this morning, I am back and continuing to do what I do.

UPDATE - 9:00 PM, July 6, 2021

Thank you for all the positive thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. Many of you have asked questions via email or private message. I have gathered the most common questions and I will attempt to answer them below.

What is wrong?
Out of my own privacy, I am not going to share my personal health issues with everyone at this time. I appreciate your concern but I am choosing not to share that now.

Can I help?
I have all the help I need at this time. Thank you for asking. That is unless you are looking for a real job. If so visit, https://www.klamathfallsnews.org/careers

Is this long-term - are you leaving KFN?
This is not a long-term issue. I have no current plans at this time to leave Klamath Falls News, Klamath Sports Network, or Cascade Firewatch.

I saw a story / live / post / update / etc. does that mean you are back?
Well, I never left. I am just taking a break away from working 12+ hours a day while I heal from my health issues. I will provide news updates as needed for major events like local wildfires.

Why did you not cover XYZ?
Healthy or not, there is a lot of news happening in the Klamath Basin each and every day. News that is urgent and important to someone somewhere. Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to cover everything that comes up. I will do my best to cover the major things, but I make no promises. If I do not cover a newsworthy event or topic you feel is important. I apologize.

Thanks again for all your well wishes during this time. I appreciate the support from each and everyone of you. Thank you.

ORIGINAL: 9:53 AM, July 5, 2021

Hello friends, I am announcing that I am taking some time off away from Klamath Falls News, Cascade Firewatch, and Klamath Sports Network to focus on healing myself. I have been dealing with some personal issues for quite a while and now I must tackle them head-on.

If you are curious why, keep reading.

Having born and raised in the Klamath Basin, I have lived my entire life here. In those years, Independence Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. It is a time when my family has been easily able to come together. The weather is warm, if not hot, it’s easy for the family to get together, and to cap it off, we get to enjoy a good, safe fireworks show.

As many of you know, I have captured the local lifestyle via photojournalism for nearly twenty years. This lead to me becoming the publisher of Klamath Falls News in August 2017, changing everything.

The occupation comes with some perks as well as some drawbacks. I have covered some major events, deadly wildfires, business developments, public safety, water issues, and more - all much closer to the action than the general public is allowed.

One of those perks would be having the access to personal contact information for many high-ranking officials, business owners, and civic leaders in our area. I can call or text most of them at whims notice to learn about what is happening with a specific event, activity, or threat.

The biggest and most significant drawback is the countless hours worked to ensure the public has access to the latest, most accurate information possible. As you know, I do not report every single scanner call as breaking news. Nor do I go live at the drop of a hat just to sensationalize what is happening. I take my time, learn about the situation, and update accordingly.

To do this successfully, it takes a hundred hours of hustle per week, every week. After all, I operate all this by myself.

Sure, with more help that time could be reduced. However, it’s harder to find quality help than one may imagine. That is a conversation for another day.

In the last five years, I have taken a total of 21-days off. That is my total days off away from news, alerts, email, etc.

I have been putting in long 12- to 14-hour days for 1,804 of the last 1,825 days.

With that, I am announcing I am taking some time off starting last Saturday.

You may have noticed that I did not make it to any festivities this weekend. Such as the BBQ in Malin, nor the parade, festivities, or fireworks in Klamath Falls. I have gotten quite ill over the last few months, I have been dealing with some things that have recently that have knocked me down, forcing me to rest.

With Independence Day meaning so much to me, I would have never missed the opportunity to cover the pageantry and meaningfulness of the holiday, without good reason.

So, because of this issue and my lack of self-care recently, I am announcing that I will be taking some much-needed time away from Klamath Falls News, Cascade Firewatch, and Klamath Sports Network to heal, relax, and rest.

Please understand, that I will be back ready to go soon. Until then, news and updates will be thin.

Until then, I will see you soon; hopefully healed, relaxed, and rested.

Brian Gailey, Publisher
Klamath Falls News, Cascade Firewatch, and Klamath Sports Network

This editorial has not been endorsed or otherwise paid by any party. It has not been reviewed by any party prior to posting. The opinion is strictly that of the Klamath Falls News Publisher, Brian Gailey.