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The athletic department of Oregon Tech is deeply saddened to announce the death of former athletic director, Michael Schell. Schell passed away on Wednesday after bravely fighting stomach cancer. He was 53 years old. Originally hailing from Umatilla, Schell was a 1995 graduate of OIT and dedicated 20 years to the athletic department – six years as an assistant athletic director and 14 years as the athletic director. Under his guidance, the Owls secured four NAIA national championships (2004 men’s basketball, 2008 men’s basketball, 2011 softball, 2012 men’s basketball) and played a pivotal role in expanding the department from two sports to its current total of 13. In his honor, the River States Conference Council of Presidents has renamed the league's Commissioner's Cup, awarded to the top overall athletic program, to the Michael J. Schell Commissioner's Cup, effective immediately. Details regarding a memorial service, along with the family's wishes concerning gifts or donations, will be shared as they become available.

This boating season promises to be exceptional. To foster memorable experiences, the Oregon State Marine Board urges boaters to remain vigilant of their surroundings, ensure they possess all necessary equipment, and inform others of their recreational plans. The Marine Board provides numerous resources to assist boaters in having a safe and enjoyable time on Oregon's waterways. The agency recommends utilizing the Marine Board's interactive boating access map, which outlines public boat ramps, local boating regulations, and additional facility information, including ownership and available amenities. It is also advisable to check the weather forecast, water levels, and tides, as well as to consult the agency's obstructions map for any reported hazards. Boaters can visit the Marine Board's website to determine the required equipment based on their boat's size and type. It is essential to have the appropriate gear for planned activities and to ensure that each passenger is equipped with a properly fitting life jacket approved by the US Coast Guard.

The Klamath County School District is set to conduct ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Friday May 30 to commemorate the grand openings of the Crater Lake Learning Center and an expanded facility for its increasingly popular Great Basin Homeschool program. Both programs will occupy a newly renovated 8,800-square-foot building located at 2720 Washburn Way, which was previously the site of the Asian Buffet restaurant. The district acquired the building in 2021 utilizing state Student Investment Account (SIA) funds and has completed the interior renovations this spring. Landscaping and exterior enhancements are anticipated to be finished this summer. The two centers will feature distinct entrances. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Crater Lake Learning Center is scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by the ceremony for the Great Basin Homeschool Center at 10:30 a.m. The public is welcome to tour the facility and partake in refreshments after the ceremonies. The building will remain accessible to the public until 3 p.m.
 

On May 20, 2025, at approximately 2 p.m., the Oregon State Police K-9 unit discovered a significant amount of fentanyl during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 involving a white Chevrolet Impala, which had been pulled over for making an illegal lane change. The officer, suspecting drug-related activity, requested and received consent to search the vehicle, leading to the seizure of around 60 pounds of powdered fentanyl from the trunk. The driver, Jose I Iribe, aged 46, from Oakland, California, was arrested for unlawful possession of fentanyl and subsequently handed over to the DEA for further investigation. The inquiry is ongoing, and no further details are available at this moment.

For full details on these stories and more see the website at  heraldandnews.com