Southern Oregon & Northern California News

Latest local news from Southern Oregon and Northern California, covering Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Jackson County, Josephine County, Klamath County, Siskiyou County, Del Norte County, and communities throughout the region.

Brian Gailey 11/4/26 Brian Gailey 11/4/26

Tech Opens $4 Million Thomet Fieldhouse

Oregon Tech celebrated the opening of its $4 million Kip Thomet Memorial Fieldhouse on November 3 in Klamath Falls. The 8,500-square-foot indoor training facility was funded entirely through private donations, led by a $1.2 million gift from Glen and Sherry Thomet in memory of their son, Kip, who died in 2019.

Special Contributor 9/30/26 Special Contributor 9/30/26

RCC and Oregon Tech Partner to Meet Southern Oregon’s Manufacturing Workforce Needs

Rogue Community College and Oregon Tech are launching a new 2+2 pathway that will allow Southern Oregon students to earn an associate degree at RCC and continue into Oregon Tech’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology bachelor’s program without leaving the Rogue Valley.

Brian Gailey 9/9/26 Brian Gailey 9/9/26

Klamath IDEA Opens New Season With Two Hometown Entrepreneur Stories

Klamath IDEA will open its 2026-27 IDEA Talks season Sept. 16 with Klamath Falls native Trevor Mauch and a surprise entrepreneur with local roots. The event also marks the debut of Watershed Row as the series’ new host venue.

Special Contributor 7/17/26 Special Contributor 7/17/26

Oregon Tech Students Explore Robotics, AI and Chipmaking at Semiconductor Camp

Two Oregon Tech mechanical engineering students joined a two-week semiconductor training camp in Beaverton, gaining hands-on experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, chip manufacturing and advanced industry career pathways.

Brian Gailey 7/8/26 Brian Gailey 7/8/26

Oregon Tech Grants Support Healthcare Training, Accessible History Project

Oregon Tech students stand with mammography equipment used in the university’s Medical Imaging program. New grant support from the Roundhouse Foundation will help Oregon Tech purchase its first 3D mammography unit, expanding hands-on training for students preparing for healthcare careers. Photo courtesy of Oregon Tech.

Special Contributor 6/30/26 Special Contributor 6/30/26

KCC Highlights Childcare Investment, Top Nursing Ranking

Klamath Community College is highlighting two workforce-focused updates in the Klamath Basin: a $363,000 Cascade Health Alliance award for its Childcare Learning Center and a No. 2 statewide ranking for its Licensed Practical Nursing program.

Special Contributor 6/30/26 Special Contributor 6/30/26

New Trustees Join Oregon Tech Board

Oregon Tech has added three new members to its Board of Trustees: Arnel Fajardo, Ph.D., Christine “Chris” Mangan and current student Cruz Collin. The trustees were nominated by Gov. Tina Kotek, confirmed by the Oregon Senate on June 17 and will begin their service July 1.

Brian Gailey 6/6/26 Brian Gailey 6/6/26

Oregon Tech Names New Dean, Launches Dental Hygiene Master’s Program and Honors Retirees

Oregon Tech is closing the academic year with several campus updates, including a new dean, a fully online dental hygiene master’s program and recognition for retiring employees who served the university for a combined 113 years.

Special Contributor 5/14/26 Special Contributor 5/14/26

OHSU President to Address Oregon Tech Graduates

Oregon Tech will celebrate its Class of 2026 on June 13 at the Klamath Falls campus, with OHSU President Dr. Shereef Elnahal serving as keynote speaker. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., followed by Oregon Tech’s Portland-Metro commencement on June 14.

Special Contributor 5/5/26 Special Contributor 5/5/26

Oregon Tech Students Earn National IT Honors

Oregon Tech students earned multiple top honors at America’s Innovate IT Collegiate Conference, including first place in the Analyze IT Challenge and additional recognition in cybersecurity and troubleshooting events. The national competition tested students through real-world information technology, cybersecurity, data analysis, and problem-solving challenges.

Special Contributor 4/30/26 Special Contributor 4/30/26

Healthcare Pathways Grow In Klamath County

A group of southern Oregon school district superintendents and Asante Health representatives visited Klamath Falls for a closer look at a growing healthcare education partnership. The tour highlighted how local schools, Sky Lakes Medical Center and Klamath Community College are connecting students with classroom instruction, college credit and hands-on clinical experience.

Special Contributor 4/27/26 Special Contributor 4/27/26

Oregon Tech Students Win $20,500 to Launch New Business Ideas

Student entrepreneurs at Oregon Tech competed for startup funding during the 2026 Catalyze Klamath Challenge, where $20,500 was awarded to help turn product ideas into real businesses. Winning concepts included a patented deck vacuum attachment and a fog-eliminating dental mirror.

Brian Gailey 4/23/26 Brian Gailey 4/23/26

Volcano Preparedness Workshop Coming to Klamath Falls, Bend

Free volcano preparedness workshops are coming to Klamath Falls and Bend next week as Oregon emergency officials work to educate residents and strengthen readiness for future Cascade volcanic hazards.

Special Contributor 4/6/26 Special Contributor 4/6/26

Oregon Tech Awarded $310K to Expand UX Certificate Programs

Oregon Tech has received a $310,000 funding increase to expand its User Experience certificate programs, supporting scholarships, industry tools, and summer training opportunities. The grant will fund 66 full-tuition scholarships and provide students access to professional UX software used in the field. Officials say the program is designed for working professionals, career changers, and students looking to build practical UX skills.

Brian Gailey 3/11/26 Brian Gailey 3/11/26

Klamath Forum Focuses on Global Education

The second annual Global Engagement Forum at Klamath Community College brought together students, educators, and community members to explore the benefits of international exchange programs. Speakers highlighted the value of cultural intelligence, global collaboration, and the role international students play in strengthening the local economy.

Brian Gailey 3/5/26 Brian Gailey 3/5/26

Ram Truck Donated to Oregon Tech

Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram has donated a two-year lease of a Ram 3500 truck to Oregon Tech to support engineering students traveling to competitions and industry events.

Brian Gailey 2/9/26 Brian Gailey 2/9/26

Klamath Music Announces 2026 Glenn Justus Memorial Scholarships

Klamath Music has announced the 2026 Glenn Justus Memorial Scholarship, awarding two $2,000 scholarships to support local students actively involved in music and continuing the legacy of a longtime advocate for the Klamath Basin music community.

Brian Gailey 1/9/26 Brian Gailey 1/9/26

Oregon Tech Moves Forward With New Artificial Intelligence Degree

Oregon Tech has approved the next steps toward launching a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, a new applied degree program designed to meet workforce demand and industry needs across Oregon and beyond.

Special Contributor 12/2/25 Special Contributor 12/2/25

OIT Accepts $500k Donation for Workforce Development

Oregon Tech has received a $500,000 gift from the Beavers Charitable Trust to support workforce development within the university’s new Construction Management program. The funding will provide scholarships and expand the program’s Heavy Construction Management option.

Special Contributor 11/23/25 Special Contributor 11/23/25

Record Freshman Class Highlights Tech’s Continued Enrollment Growth

Oregon Tech is celebrating enrollment gains for the second year in a row, including its largest freshman class in more than 40 years. Total enrollment reached 5,444 students this fall, driven by growth in online programs, the Klamath Falls campus, and expanded dual credit opportunities for high school students.