By Michael Wood | Gold Country Radio
FROM LOCAL IMPACT TO GLOBAL NEWS, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK.
📍 Klamath County – Jeld-Wen to Shutter Chiloquin Plant
In a major economic development for the region, Jeld-Wen has announced it will permanently close its door-manufacturing plant in Chiloquin, laying off 128 workers. The company cited strategic restructuring as the reason behind the closure. Layoffs will begin June 30, with operations fully ending by December 1. Severance packages and job placement assistance will be provided, but local leaders are voicing concern over the impact on families and the rural economy.
✈️ Small Plane Crashes Near Lakeview, Two Injured
LAKEVIEW, Ore. — Federal aviation authorities are investigating a single-engine plane accident that occurred Monday afternoon, April 28, at the Lake County Airport.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at approximately 1:34 p.m. Officials report that the aircraft veered off course while attempting to land on Runway 35, ultimately coming to a stop in a ditch east of the runway.
Two people aboard the plane were transported to Lake District Hospital by Lake Health District EMS with minor injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including Oregon State Police, Lakeview Fire Department, Thomas Creek-Westside Rural Fire Protection District, and staff at the Lake County Airport.
🌋 Oregon – Volcano Awareness Week Kicks Off
Oregon is marking Volcano Awareness Week from May 18–25, a nod to the 45th anniversary of the Mount St. Helens eruption. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is hosting educational events and resources to raise awareness about volcanic risks in the Pacific Northwest. With five potentially active volcanoes in the state, the campaign aims to keep residents informed and prepared.
🌲 Western U.S. – Homeless Encampment Cleared in Wildfire Zone
Federal officials have begun clearing a large homeless encampment in Deschutes National Forest as part of a broader wildfire prevention effort. The Forest Service plans to thin trees and conduct controlled burns over 30,000 acres. While officials stress safety, advocates for the unhoused are expressing concern about the displacement of around 150 people and the lack of alternative shelter solutions.
🏛️ United States – Social Security Faces Reform
The Social Security Administration is undergoing sweeping changes as part of a broader government efficiency initiative. Led by Elon Musk under the new Department of Government Efficiency, reforms include leadership shakeups and implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which reverses some past benefit reductions. Legal challenges and privacy concerns are already surfacing as the agency adjusts to this new direction.
🌍 India – Schoolchildren Fall Ill After Contaminated Meal
A disturbing incident in Mokama, Bihar, India, saw over 100 schoolchildren fall ill after consuming a mid-day meal contaminated by a dead snake. Authorities are investigating, and the National Human Rights Commission has launched a formal inquiry. The case raises renewed concerns about hygiene and food safety in India’s school meal programs, which serve over 100 million children daily.
Stay tuned to Gold Country Radio for updates on these stories as they develop.
—Michael Wood, KKFO Newsroom
