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.
Klamath Falls Schools, Classified Union Reach Tentative Agreement
Klamath Falls City Schools and its classified employees union have reached a tentative agreement following mediated negotiations, with both sides highlighting a collaborative process focused on supporting staff and students. The agreement remains subject to union ratification and school board approval.
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.
KCC Names New VP of External Programs
Klamath Community College has named Lucas Ritter as its new Vice President of External Programs. Ritter is a Klamath Falls native and longtime Air Force officer who will begin the role May 4. College officials say he will oversee outreach, grants, and workforce initiatives.
Grants Pass High School Names New Principal
Grants Pass School District 7 has named longtime educator Jason Garcia as the next principal of Grants Pass High School. Garcia will begin leading the school on July 1.
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.
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.
KCSD Upgrades Bus Fleet to Propane
Klamath County School District has nearly completed a decade-long transition from diesel to propane buses, improving safety, reliability, and fuel savings across its transportation fleet.
KCSD HR Director Honored for Supporting Military Employees
Klamath County School District Human Resources Director Jamie Ongman received the Patriotic Employer Award for supporting employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
French Exchange Students Attend Winter Term on KCC Campus
Nine French exchange students are spending their winter term at Klamath Community College, gaining hands-on experience while immersing themselves in American culture through a growing international partnership.
New KCC Trustee Wants Local Kids to Stay
Rejeana Jackson, newly appointed to the Klamath Community College Board of Education for Zone 5, says she wants to help strengthen career pathways so local students can build their futures in Klamath Falls instead of leaving for work elsewhere.
Henley Students Turn School Bus Into Mobile Wildfire Command Center
Inside a former school bus, Henley High School engineering, construction, and electrical students are turning student-designed blueprints into a mobile wildfire command center for the Oregon Department of Forestry — a project that blends classroom learning with real-world impact.
KCSD Superintendent Glen Szymoniak to Retire
Klamath County School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak has announced his retirement effective July 31, 2026, concluding more than four decades in public education. His full, unedited Q&A reflecting on his career and the district’s future is included.
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.
High-tech ‘Lucina’ simulator prepares KCC nursing students for real-life labor and delivery
Klamath Community College nursing students are gaining hands-on experience with labor and delivery scenarios through a new high-tech simulator designed to replicate both routine births and complex medical emergencies.
KCC Students Find Confidence at National Leadership Conference
Six Klamath Community College students gained confidence, leadership skills, and national exposure after attending the Circle of Change Leadership Conference in California, where one student earned a prestigious scholarship among dozens of applicants.
‘Pride, progress, and possibility’
Chiloquin students and community members celebrated the grand opening of the district’s new gymnasium with a blue-ribbon ceremony, cultural blessings, and a packed house ahead of basketball season.
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.
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.
Ross Ragland Opens Registration for Winter Classes
The Ross Ragland Theater has opened registration for its winter classes, offering seven arts and enrichment programs beginning January 12 for students, teens, and adults. Prices vary, and scholarships are available.
Chiloquin hosts traditional salmon bake, powwow
Students and staff at Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School gathered for a traditional salmon bake and round dance as part of a day dedicated to celebrating Native American Heritage Month. Hosted in partnership with the Klamath Tribes and community organizations, the event highlighted cultural traditions, salmon’s ecological and spiritual importance, and the value of connecting students with their Indigenous heritage.