This was in Saturday’s (July 23rd, 2016) Herald and News
Written By: Gerry O’Brien, H&N Editor
PenAir will start commercial air service in Klamath Falls Oct. 5, but preparations — and ticket sales — are going on now.
The Alaska-based commuter airline received a rousing welcome Thursday at the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport. About 300 attended the meet and greet event and 10 people booked flights that day.
Airport Manager John Barsalou is encouraging travelers to book early to take advantage of ticket discounts.
“Don’t wait until Oct. 5 to buy your tickets. That will be too late,” Barsalou said Friday at the Herald and News offices. He noted that for the airline to be successful the 30-seater turboprop planes needs to have a 50 to 70 percent load factor.
The airline evaluates its boardings daily from each of the 22 cities is serves across the Northwest and Alaska, said Missy Roberts, PenAir vice president for sales and marketing.
“We look at boardings daily and our advance bookings; where they are taking place and where we need to get more individuals on the aircraft,” Roberts said. “In the next few weeks, there will be a sales promotional push for Klamath.”
“The key is that we want this market to succeed,” Roberts said. “A lot of people have put a lot of effort into it. We plan to work with corporations and schools to set up corporate fares to stimulate traffic, too.” Having Oregon Tech, Jeld-Wen and a new satellite campus of Oregon Health and Science University here helps, she noted.
“We need the community to get behind us and the airport so that we can get every plane, every seat filled,” Roberts said.
The airport has a $75,000 grant to help with promotion for PenAir, too, Barsalou said.
Klamath Falls has been without commercial air service since June 2014 when SkyWest pulled out. The city rallied to recruit PenAir, which is now serving five Southern Oregon and Northern California cities with 30-seater Saab 340 turboprop aircraft.
Klamath Falls was the last on the list. The initial starting date was held up after Transportation Security Administration officials balked at returning passenger screening services to the airport. Congressional leaders from Oregon and other states quickly put together a bill forcing TSA to start up operations at similar, smaller airports.
Employed locally
TSA will employ two full-time security people and four to six part-time at Klamath. PenAir will also have eight to 10 workers on site, too.
“And we’re hiring for those spots,” said Mike Walsh, regional sales manager. One can visitpenair.com to view job openings.
Also, a crew of three – pilot, co-pilot and flight attendant, will overnight in the city each day.
“So, you’ll have a three-person crew staying in hotels every night,” Roberts said.
PenAir’s flight schedule will consist of two daily flights during the week — one that leaves at 6:40 a.m. and one leaves at 2:50 p.m. The 6:40 a.m. flight arrives in the Rose City at 8 a.m. and the 2:50 p.m. flight arrives at 4:10 p.m. Flights return to Klamath Falls at 2:20 and 6:20 p.m. One flight will be available at 11 a.m. on Saturday and one flight on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Cost of the flights range from $82 to $158 each way depending on how far in advance the flights are booked. The airline is running a 15 percent discount for new bookings if one books at penair.com before Dec. 31. The discount is for the Oct. 5 through Feb. 28, 2017.
“It’s important to remember that the fares are going to be competitive with Medford and other cities,” Barsalou said. “Folks need to take into account not just the ticket price, when determining the value of the plane ticket, but other costs. If one has to drive to Medford, pay to park a car and drive through tough winter conditions, paying $20 more for a ticket out of Klamath looks pretty good.” Further, the Klamath Airport offers free parking.
Connecting flights
The airline will connect passengers with Alaska, Delta and United in Portland. Bags are checked through to adjoining flights. It will soon have a contract with American Airlines as well.
The cabin of the plane is roomy enough to stand up in. There will be overhead bins for carry ons, storage beneath the seats, refreshment service and a lavatory. Flights last about one hour, 20 minutes. Bag weight limits are 50 pounds and each passenger is encouraged to bring only two bags. Checked bags cost $25 per bag.
The airport has made improvements to its facilities to house PenAir staff; is working on upgrading a taxiway and hopes to obtain a grant in the next month for $2.8 million to build a maintenance hangar.
“Our goal is to have PenAir to lease a portion of the hangar for its maintenance,” Barsalou said.
It’s too early for the airline to talk about expanding its routes, but Roberts said it has opened five routes out of Denver.
“We’ve actually ramped up pretty quickly. Between now and November we have seven new routes,” Roberts said.
To read this article and others on the Herald and News website, please refer to the link below:
This article was in Thursday’s (July 14th, 2016) Herald and News
Written By: Holly Dillemuth, H&N Staff Reporter
The Klamath Works human services campus is gaining momentum as it moves toward breaking ground on South Sixth Street, potentially in August or September, according to Alan Eberlein, spokesperson for Klamath Works.
The 18-acre site owned by Sky Lakes Medical Center, formerly the home of West One Auto, now holds a non-emergency transportation unit with plans in the works for much more. The campus is considered a one-stop hub for social services in Klamath County, and the hope is that less people will fall through the cracks when it comes to poverty, mental illness, or other situations of crisis or hardship.
Details of the buildings’ layout are still being finalized, but so far, the campus is scheduled to have a men’s facility, women’s emergency facility and a kitchen, dining hall, and chapel for the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission, which will relocate from Walnut Street near the downtown area. The women’s and children’s facility, off site currently from Walnut Street, will remain in use.
The campus will also include a building housed by Klamath and Lake Community Action Services (KLCAS) and Klamath Works, the group behind the campus, along with a sobering station.
Space, proximity
Donna Bowman, executive director of KLCAS, is excited to move into the campus for the additional space and proximity to other services.
Bowman expects to start the strategic planning process for the relocation this fall, although it’s less certain when the agency may be on site.
“We have outgrown this building,” Bowman said, of the agency’s Claremont Drive site. “We have one more place I can put an employee and then we are totally full here. So we really need to look at what our new building will look like and how it will accommodate us.”
After discussions in 2015 with Klamath Works, Bowman said the agency’s board of directors decided on the move, which will potentially give them more square footage; space for a larger board room and classroom, and broader visibility.
“I’m kind of viewing it as Project Family Connect, only on a much bigger, more permanent scale,” Bowman said of the campus concept.
“It really benefits people that are trying to get their lives back on track,” Bowman added. “It helps save on resources. We know what other people are doing so we’re not doing duplicative services. And then I think it helps us become a part of this community. To get out of poverty, it takes a community because you have to have the resources – everybody working in the same direction. What this will do, I’m hoping, is provide that sense of community for these people.”
Diversity of services
Bowman said she likes the diversity of services that will be offered on campus, including services for those who are homeless.
“It’s sometimes really hard for people to understand that our homeless families and the people that are really low income and fixed income are a different group than our transient group that’s downtown that the mission serves,” she said.
Bowman said construction of a new facility at the campus could happen within the next two years, depending on funding. The agency estimates roughly $2 million in funds needed for construction, and plans to use local contractors, according to Bowman.
The plan is for KLCAS to utilize a building along with Klamath Works, as well as potential satelite offices for agencies unable to relocate their full building to the campus.
Eberlein welcomes KLCAS, and as many other organizations as there is interest, to join the campus.
“We want as many social service providers as we can get on the campus,” Eberlein said on Wednesday.
Ready to move
KLCAS has moved four times in nine years, and Bowman said she’s not worried about the move affecting those who would seek out the agency’s services.
“We don’t advertise what we do, people find us,” Bowman said.
“We haven’t had a whole lot of difficulty with people finding us.”
Housing is the basis for which KLCAS started and where services stem from.
“We always believe that housing’s a stability for people,” Bowman said. “You can’t really access services or anything else if you don’t have a place to go at night.”
The transition to a one-stop option for those in need of social services is ideal for the Klamath Basin, according to Bowman, which is an area she believes is still struggling with the aftermath of a recession.
“The need is there, always,” Bowman said of the agency’s services.
“When the recession hit, the need definitely sky-rocketed … what we haven’t seen here is the bounce-back. I mean you go anywhere else in the state, up to Bend, go over to Medford even and you see building going on and you see housing being developed. We are not seeing that here in Klamath County.”
Mission commitment
Bowman said KLCAS will be part of the second phase of the project, with the first involving the relocation of some Klamath Falls Gospel Mission facilities.
The mission is expected to relocate their men’s facility, emergency women’s facility, kitchen, dining room and chapel facilities to the site. There will also be one apartment available for a family on site, Berry said.
A date is yet to be determined for breaking ground, according to Kent Berry, executive director of the mission.
Local churches and organizations have met the mission’s goal of $32,000 to purchase 70 new beds for the new mission.
“I’m very grateful for the churches and individuals that helped reached the goal of getting the beds,” Berry said.
The mission had identified a $2.35 million price tag for construction of facilities in 2015.
When asked, Barry declined to comment on current funding levels for the project. He anticipated more information will be released in the near future.
To read this article or others on the Herald and News website, please refer to the link provided below:
This article was in Tuesday’s (July 12th, 2016) Herald and News
Written By: Holly Owens
The Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport will welcome PenAir to the Klamath Falls community during a meet-and-greet event from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21.
Representatives from PenAir, the airport and the Port of Portland will be at the airport terminal to provide information on the new air service and answer questions, according to a news release.
A raffle will be offered for two round-trip tickets to Portland, donated by PenAir, along with a $500 Visa gift card, donated by the Port of Portland. Raffles for a variety of other prizes also will be held and the Upper Deck Restaurant will serve root beer floats for $1 each.
PenAir will begin offering commercial air services at the airport starting Oct. 5. Klamath Falls has been without commercial passenger service for two years since SkyWest pulled out in June 2014. According to a previous Herald and News report, PenAir’s flight schedule will consist of two daily flights during the week — one that leaves at 6:40 a.m. and one leaves at 2:50 p.m. The 6:40 a.m. flight arrives in Portland at 8 a.m. and the 2:50 p.m. flight arrives in Portland at 4:10 p.m. Flights return to town at 2:20 and 6:20 p.m. One flight will be available at 11 a.m. on Saturday and one flight on Sunday at 5 p.m. All flights will be operated using PenAir’s 30-seat Saab 340 turboprop aircraft.
For information about schedules, go online at www.penair.com and by calling PenAir’s Central Reservations at 800-448-4226. Fares and schedules will also be available in early August atwww.alaskaair.com.
For more information about the meet-and-greet event, call the airport at 541-883-5372 or visit flykfalls.com. ———————————————–
If You Go
What: Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport welcomes commercial air service provider PenAir to Klamath Falls
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21
Where: Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport, 3000 Airport Way
Cost: Free event with raffles, root beer floats at Upper Deck Restaurant for $1
This article was in Saturday’s (June 18th, 2016) Herald and News
Written By: Holly Dillemuth, H&N Staff Reporter
Charles “Chip” Massie, executive director of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, has accepted a position as a workforce development director with Klamath Community College. Massie made the announcement on Friday and said he is leaving the chamber in August to serve in the new role. He served approximately eight to nine years as the chamber director, and served additionally prior to that time as a member of the board of directors. “It fits my passion,” Massie said.
Massie has worked closely on workforce development with KCC, and serves as chairman of the East Cascades WorkforceInvestment Board. He emphasized a desire to help promote programs and partnerships that aim to fill the gaps for businesses locally when it comes to the workforce. “I’ve always had an interest in it (workforce development),” Massie said. “This seemed like an opportunity to really have a direct impact.” Roberto Gutierrez, president of KCC, praised Massie for his expertise and welcomes him to the institution. “KCC is very fortunate to have someone with Chip’s experience leading the workforce effort,” Gutierrez said, adding that the community college is placing a high priority on workforce development. Massie thanked chamber members, many of whom he has worked with throughout his tenure with the organization. “It’s been probably one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life,” Massie said.
“The organization is in good hands going forward,” he added. “There is going to be a search for an executive director.” Todd Andres, president of the Chamber’s board of directors, expressed well wishes to Massie, despite “bittersweet” sentiments. “We truly wish Chip all the best,” Andres said. “He took over our organization when it needed some leadership and he filled that gap greatly.”
July 1st. Today marks Chris Maples’ last day in his official capacity as president of Oregon Institute of Technology. Interim President Jay Kenton, who worked in finance for Oregon Tech from 1986-88 and most recently since February, will take office officially on Friday July 1st, the beginning of the fiscal year. Maples plans to take a sabbatical and look for other opportunities during the next year. He believes he’s leaving the university in good hands with Kenton while a search is underway for a long-term replacement.“I’ve been in higher-ed in some form or fashion for 30 years,” Maples said, said during an ice cream social held in honor of his farewell earlier this month. “I’ve never had much of a break.” His position has kept him busy for the last eight years.
Many accomplishments
Maples expressed pride in being part of many accomplishments during his time eight years at the university. Among those that made the highlight reel for him are the geothermal and solar field constructed on campus, helping to finish the Martha Anne Dow Center, shepherding Oregon Tech as it came under the governance of its own board of trustees, and being apart of the effort to consolidate the Portland-area campuses into one central location in Wilsonville.
Jay Kenton, Oregon Tech Interim President
During his tenure, he also emphasized a shift in the university’s brand, pushing for Oregon Tech to be the face of Oregon Institute of Technology. When asked if Maples would like to leave a legacy, Maples said he hopes students continue to find an added quality in an Oregon Tech degree once they graduate. “Oregon Tech is today what it is because of what Winston Purvine did when he was getting the university going,” Maples said. “All the rest of us have just been trying to live up to his ideal.” Maples held an ice cream social earlier this month, one of many held at the university throughout his tenure at Oregon Tech. Surrounded by students and faculty munching on ice cream bars amid conversation is how Maples began his tenure at Oregon Tech. Rather than investitures, which he said can be costly, he opted to bring people together around a fondness for the frozen desert. It symbolizes the informal nature of his style as president, as well as a way to say farewell to Maple’s time on campus. “These jobs are relay races,” Maples said. “All too often, people stay too late at the end of their relay. I’m happy to hand off the baton without losing momentum.” Maples is confident in Kenton’s ability to help transition the university into a new presidency, especially since Kenton has served in a finance capacity at the university since February. “That’s one of the great things about already having him on campus,” Maples added. “He knows a lot about how this works.”
Kenton sees bright future for Tech
Kenton served as interim president of Eastern Oregon University in La Grande before entering his second retirement. He fielded a call from Maples in January asking if he could offer help in finance at the university until June. That was before he was offered the interim presidency, which officially starts on Friday. Kenton happily obliged, and expressed optimism on Tuesday about the outlook of the university moving forward. “My assessment of OIT is, our faculty work really hard,” Kenton said in an interview with the Herald and News on Tuesday afternoon. “They’re pretty much at capacity. “Our faculty feel that our compensation isn’t adequate,” he added. “Obviously if we want to grow the campus, we’re going to have more faculty capacity, more people. We’re doing a big compensation study now.”
Finances in order
Kenton exuded confidence in the financial stability of the university moving forward. “I’m projecting a $7 million surplus,” Kenton said. “We’ll end with a reserve in excess of almost $16 million, almost 30 percent of the university’s operating budget. “Our board approved a 3 percent tuition increase in the fall,” Kenton added. “We’re budgeting for a 3 percent tuition increase, we’re budgeting for a 3 percent enrollment growth, we have a balanced budget.” Kenton said the university is also preparing to kickoff a $11.7 million renovation of Cornett Hall, which includes adding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, removal of asbestos, seismic code upgrades, new lighting and ventilation. “We’re requesting $42 million to build a 90,000-square-foot engineering building next to it,” Kenton said, pending approval by the Oregon Legislature. The university is also constructing a soccer field, and recently replaced more than 200 feet of storm drain, described by Kenton as “vintage.” Plans are in place to replace the storm drain underneath the college union in summer 2017. “We’ve got a lot of different facility-type projects that we’re working on,” Kenton said. “I want to clean the campus up, it needs to be beautified,” he added. He also hopes to help streamline efficiencies and accountability in the university’s administration, and to help prepare the university for a new president over the course of the next six months to one year. The university has hired a firm to search for Maple’s long-term replacement, as well as for Provost Brad Burda, who is retiring from the university. “The hope is to have somebody by Jan. 1,” Kenton said, of filling a long-term president’s role. “I don’t know if that’s possible … that’s the goal. “I said I would stay until I found a president,” he added. “We’re doing a lot of things to get the campus prepared for the next president … I’m hoping that we’ll have a good launch pad for that person when they come.”
June 30, 2016
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – PenAir, one of Alaska’s largest regional airlines, will initiate twice-daily, week day service between Portland, OR and the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional airport in Klamath Falls, OR, and one flight per day on Saturdays and Sundays. These new flights will be effective October 5, 2016. The addition of this destination expands PenAir’s network throughout the “lower 48” with existing service out of their hubs of Anchorage, AK; Portland, OR; Boston, MA and Denver, CO.
Effective, June 30, 2016, schedules and fares will be available at PenAir.com, several online travel agency sites, and by calling PenAir’s Central Reservations at 800-448-4226. Within the next month these fares and schedules will also be on PenAir’s codeshare partner’s website at Alaskaair.com.
According to Danny Seybert, PenAir’s CEO, “We are thrilled to be expanding service out of our Portland, OR hub to the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport. We have been operating for over 60 years throughout Alaska, for the last several years in the Northeast U.S., and we began growing our network out of our Portland hub last fall… The initiation of service between Klamath Falls and Portland will provide customers with our Alaskan brand of reliable customer service and the benefit of our connectivity to flights with our codeshare partner Alaska Airlines.”
“We have been working with the Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport as well as city officials for over a year to bring this new route to fruition”, said Dave Hall, the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “We had initially hoped for a November 2015 startup but that was put on hold while community officials worked on a feasible plan with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to re-federalize the airport”.
“The City of Klamath Falls and the Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport are excited by PenAir’s arrival and the return of air service to Klamath County and the region. The TSA “re-federalized” the Airport on May 2, 2016, and is diligently working to meet their goal of starting TSA operations on October 1st”, said John Barsalou, Airport Director.
John Barsalou, Airport Director
“The tourism opportunities throughout and around the Crater Lake-Klamath region allows us ample marketing and advertising opportunities”, said Missy Roberts, VP of Sales & Marketing for PenAir. “The community has a lot of resources to assist us in creating awareness of the new flights among both leisure and business travelers to and from Portland. The community of Klamath Falls has been so supportive and excited for our arrival. We are very excited for this new venture.”
PenAir will enter the market with an introductory fare which can be found on the company’s website at penair.com. Connecting flights on Alaska Airlines will soon be able to be made by calling PenAir’s Central Reservations, or online at alaskaair.com. PenAir also participates in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
Flight Schedule:
Start Date
Routing
Departure Time
Arrival Time
Frequency
October 5, 2016
Klamath Falls – Portland
6:40 AM
8:00 AM
Mon-Fri
Portland – Klamath Falls
1:00 PM
2:20 PM
Mon – Fri
Klamath Falls – Portland
2:50 PM
4:10 PM
Mon – Fri
Portland – Klamath Falls
5:00 PM
6:20 PM
Mon – Fri
Klamath Falls – Portland
11:00 AM
12:20 PM
Sat/Sun
Portland – Klamath Falls
5:00 PM
6:20 PM
Sat/Sun
All flights will be operating using PenAir’s 30-seat Saab 340 turboprop aircraft.
About PenAir
PenAir is one of the largest regional airlines in Alaska, the Northeast U. S., and the Pacific Northwest, and one of the largest operators of Saab 340 aircraft in the United States. The airline is a codeshare partner with Alaska Airlines and has electronic ticketing agreements with Alaska, Delta, United and several other carriers. For more information, including flight schedules and fares, visit www.penair.com
Oregon was the top moving destination in 2015 for the third year in a row, according to a study of 123,000 moves from United Van Lines.Almost 70% of the interstate moves in Oregon were people moving to the state.
The number of people moving to Oregon has increased by 10% in the past six years.
Five of the 10 states with the highest number of inbound movers are west of the Mississippi River. The tech boom has played a big role in enticing new residents to the West Coast, but that’s just part of the attraction.
“We are seeing people drawn for lifestyle issues: more green space and looking for a lower cost of living,” said Melissa Sullivan, director, marketing communications at UniGroup, which operates United Van Lines.
But finding a home in Oregon’s biggest city has become more expensive. Home prices in Portland increased almost 11% in October from the same time last year, according to the most recent S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
The South was also a popular moving destination last year, with South Carolina ranking second.
“As Baby Boomers get closer to retirement age, we are seeing people move out of colder climates and into places with warmer weather,” Sullivan said.
Some states in the Northeast are having a hard time hanging onto their residents. New Jersey saw the highest number of moves out of the state last year, followed by New York.
Here are the top 10 inbound states for 2015, according to United Van Lines:
1. Oregon 2. South Carolina 3. Vermont 4. Idaho 5. North Carolina 6. Florida 7. Nevada 8. District of Columbia 9. Texas 10. Washington
This article was in Saturday’s (June 4th, 2016) issue of The Oregonian
Written By: Luke Hammill, The Oregonian/OregonLive
Jeld-Wen Holding Inc., once Oregon’s largest private company, is officially going public.
The company, now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, filed a registration statement this week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seeking an initial public offering.
The statement says the window-and-door manufacturer will sell $100 million in stock, but Bloomberg reported that figure is a placeholder and the company could actually raise as much as $500 million and command a $5 billion valuation.
Based for decades in Klamath Falls, Jeld-Wen quietly moved its corporate headquarters to Charlotte last year amid reports it was planning the initial public offering. A company spokeswoman told The Oregonian/OregonLive at the time that Jeld-Wen still had more employees in Oregon than any other state but declined to provide a figure.
The company, which held the naming rights as recently as 2014 to the downtown Portland stadium now known as Providence Park, nearly collapsed during the housing crash. It sold its majority ownership to the Canadian private-equity firm Onex Corp. in 2011 for $871 million. There were about 1,200 Jeld-Wen employees in Oregon then, and about 20,000 workers worldwide.
Company press release
JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. Files Registration for Proposed Initial Public Offering
June 01, 2016 05:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time
CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered, the price range for the proposed offering and the exchange on which shares of the Company’s common stock will be listed have not yet been determined.
Barclays, Citigroup, Credit Suisse and JP Morgan are acting as joint book-running managers in the proposed offering.
The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. When available, a copy of the preliminary prospectus related to the offering may be obtained by contacting Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by emailing barclaysprospectus@broadridge.com, or by calling (888) 603-5847; or Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by calling (800) 831-9146.
A registration statement on Form S-1 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN — one of the world’s largest manufacturers of doors and windows — operates in 25 countries with 113 manufacturing facilities located primarily in North America, Europe and Australia. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company designs, produces and distributes an extensive range of interior and exterior doors, wood, vinyl and aluminum windows and related products for use in the new construction and repair and remodeling of residential homes and non-residential buildings. JELD-WEN’s full breadth of products has earned numerous awards and endorsements for dependability, innovation and excellence — providing solutions that deliver exceptional value for builders, architects and homeowners around the world. JELD-WEN is a recognized leader in manufacturing energy-efficient products and has been an ENERGY STAR® Partner since 1998.
Klamath Welcomes First Graduation Sensation
This article was in Friday’s (June 3rd, 2016) Herald and News
Written By: Courtney Anderson, H&N Staff Reporter
Parents, grandparents and community members cheered for the nearly 500 high school graduates as they walked down Main Street during the inaugural Graduation Sensation parade Thursday.
Signs that read, “Proud of Our Graduate” and “Proud of You Class of 2016” were held by the parade-goers while the Klamath Union High School band headed the march.
The first Graduation Sensation parade, sponsored by Klamath Promise, celebrates the graduating class on earning their diplomas and encourages students still in school to finish.
Afterward, high school students from Klamath Falls City and Klamath County school districts marched from 11th Street down Main, and gathered around the Veterans Memorial Park stage to listen to motivational speakers and to receive scholarships.
About $20,000 in scholarships were given out that afternoon. Some of the awards went to students who increased their GPA by 1.0 point, were accepted into a two-year school or were the first generation in their family to graduate and continue their education.
Justin Hughes, Klamath Union High School Senior, received a $1,000 for being the first on his dad’s side to graduate high school and continue to college.
“I honestly didn’t think I had a shot at winning it, but I’m really glad that I did. It’s going to help out a lot because my tools for my mechanics degree are $4,000,” Hughes said.
Hughes plans on attending Klamath Community College to study automotive technology and small business. He said graduating high school means a lot to him.
“I feel that this is going to give me more confidence in college and that if I can do one, I can do the other,” Hughes said.
He added that being the first to graduate in his family doesn’t just affect him, but his two younger siblings as well.
“I think me graduating, and them actually seeing me cross the stage will be big and make them think, ‘I should do this, and I should try harder to do this,’ ” Hughes said.
Seeing siblings in their caps and gowns wasn’t the only incentive for the “littles,” or elementary to middle school students who attended the parade. Many received mini graduation gowns and some held signs that read, ‘Graduate of 2023.’
Holly Stork, Klamath Promise Steering Committee member and Klamath and Lake Counties SMART area manager, said the effort to include the younger students kick starts their interest in graduating.
She said she hopes the “littles” will march in the parade every year until they’re marching to get their rewards.
“Today was extremely successful. There were parents and parade goers that had mascara running down behind their sunglasses because they were so happy,” Stork said. “It was such a joyus, energized occasion and it truly embodied what we’re trying to do, and that is success through education.”
Sergio Cisneros, a teacher at Lost River School, started the speeches to congratulate students and to leave them with encouraging words. In his speech, he said to be proud of who you are and to choose greatness. Secondly, he added, it’s important to have respect for yourself, community and family. Thirdly, Cisneros encouraged students to embrace failure, and to “keep pounding.”
Hedi Neel Biggs, a local advocacy organizer and Mazama High School graduate, also spoke at the ceremony.
“My point is this, embrace your hometown roots and use them to steady and ground yourselves as you move into the next chapter of your life. Remember the lessons you’ve learned here and trust your experiences. Stay friendly and don’t expect reward without good deeds or effort,” Neel Biggs said. “The big world starts in a little town.”
Scholarship categories
KCSD student who is in 1st generation of family to graduate and go on to additional education
Jose Isabel Perez-Diaz : $1,000
Student volunteered additional 10 hours in community
Emily Pardon: $500
Student has given more than 10 hours beyond required community service
Hugo Ventura: $1,000
Student increased GPA by 1.0 points
Alan Pepper: $500
Student accepted into a two-year technical, vocational or certific
Ruben Omar Gonzalez: $500
Students who are first generation in their family to graduate and go on to additional education
Jennie Lane Brown: $1,000
Natalie Miller: $1,000
Edmund Hobbs: $1,000
McKenna Wynne: $1,000
Shelaya Misiasz: $1,000
Christopher Lopez: $1,000
Jorge Luis Dominguez Baza: $1,000
Anthony Diaz: $1,000
Claudia Westfall $1,000
Justin Hughes: $1,000
Gilchrist graduates
Johnathan Richard Archer: $500
Charlene Kathryn Berling: $500
Nicholas Ray Bonner: $500
Gabriel Clitton Bernabe: $500
Klamath Institute or Klamath Adult Learning Center
Amy Hoey: $500
No restrictions
Jared Justice Delaney: $500
Rory Hennessy: $500
Rolendo Gomez-Cerrillo: $500
Waylan Donald Horn: $500
This article was written in Saturday’s (May 28th, 2016) Herald and News
Written By: Holly Dillemuth, H&N Staff Reporter
Job-seekers shook hands with Transportation Security Administration representatives in Klamath Falls Thursday evening, many hopeful of a future working for the federal agency.
Linda Dorsey, of Klamath Falls, was one of the first to take a seat in the nearly standing-room-only Mount Mazama room at Oregon Tech. A retired U.S. Postal Service worker who served 33 years, Dorsey filled out a pre-application form with her sights set on returning to work.
“I’ve always thought it’d be a cool job,” Dorsey said of the TSA. “I love traveling and I like people.”
TSA spokesperson Tina Burke shared candidly about the TSA and what those interested could expect in the application process in a presentation and question and answer session.
“If you don’t like people, if you don’t like touching people, this might not be the right career opportunity for you,” Burke told the group, as those in the audience filled out pre-application forms elbow-to-elbow and shoulder-to-shoulder. “Say hello to the person sitting next to you. It could be your future colleague.”
During the presentation, between 110 and 115 attendees heard about TSA’s origins, what’s expected of future employees, and a detailed list of how-to’s for applying for the six open positions in Klamath Falls.
Commercial air service is slated to touch down in Klamath Falls in October, but TSA employees must be in place before the service can operate for the public.
“We always like to hold what we call an information forum to give people an idea of what they can expect, how the application process works,” Burke said. “There are several steps along the way.”
Once positions, known as Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are in place at Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport this fall, Klamath Falls will be one of six airports with TSA operations in Oregon, joining Portland, Medford, Eugene, Redmond, and North Bend.
Benefits, pay
TSA positions in Klamath Falls will start as part-time, with equal benefits provided for part-time and full-time workers.
Pay as a TSO — who screens baggage and/or passengers in Klamath Falls — starts at $15.13 per hour.
Qualifications for successful applicants include: being 18 years of age by date of hire; a high school diploma or equivalent; clean credit check and background check; drug test; and must be a U.S. citizen or national.
There is also required academy training in Georgia and four to five weeks of paid on-the-job training in Medford.
Terry Coleman, Assistant Federal Security Director for the TSA, oversees TSA employees in Medford and North Bend, and soon-to-be Klamath Falls.
“We do a lot of training in TSA,” Coleman said. “We need to stay on top of it. We are an agency that needs to be aware of everything that’s going on.”
The process from the application stage could take at least seven weeks, not including required training, according to Burke.
Coleman emphasized the values of TSA in Oregon: Mission, people, leadership, teamwork and integrity.
“I hope you all make the cut,” Coleman said.
Burke emphasized those who apply to TSA can also apply to be transferred to other areas of the country or globe.
Those applying for positions at the Klamath Falls’ airport will serve as TSOs with the airport, but Burke reminded those interested in the agency that there are also a myriad of other opportunities besides preparing passengers for their flight.
“When people think of TSA, they think of our officers in the blue uniforms at the airport,” Burke said. “It’s not just about aviation.”
TSA employs officers who coordinate with airports to ensure federal guidelines are met, as well as positions working with mass transportation, railways, and highways.
Two flights per day
Burke highlighted what makes Klamath Falls’ airport — known as LMT in the airport world — unique is its size.
“It’s obviously a smaller airport,” she said. “There will be two flights a day to start with.”
The first flight leaves at 6:45 a.m. and the second flight leaves at 11:30 a.m. from Klamath Falls; destination: Portland International Airport.
“It’s just a great opportunity to join the federal government, join TSA, serve your country and serve your community,” Burke said of the job opportunities. “I know the entire community’s excited about service coming back so, to be apart that service is going to be exciting.”
“We’re going to see a bunch of smiling faces come Oct. 1,” Coleman said.
Maybe even sooner.
Smiling faces shown on many of the faces of job seekers as they left.
Shawn Scott, 22, recently returned from three years of service in the U.S. Army, where he deployed to Kuwait and Jordan. Scott heard about the opportunity from his grandfather, and is hopeful to use his experience in military if he’s hired by the federal agency.
Dorsey beamed after speaking with a TSO and plans to apply for a position with the agency.
“I think I’m going to get a job,” Dorsey said. “I hope I get it.”
Application process
To begin the process to apply, go online at www.usajobs.gov and create an online account. Qualified applicants must submit their application information online with the TSA by June 3 to be considered.
Those who qualify for a computer test and for an in-person interviews will be notified by email. TSA personnel emphasized checking SPAM email inboxes to ensure correspondences are not missed. An email address is required for the process.
In-person interviews and assessments for local positions will take place at a later date in Klamath Falls.
“The sooner the better,” said Cynthia Wick, of TSA, on applying to work for the agency.
“Don’t wait till the last day, that will put you behind the pack.”
About the TSA
TSA is one of 22 agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Burke said.
The TSA was created in November 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created in 2003.
To learn more, go online at https://www.tsa.gov/.
How to apply
To begin the process to apply, go online at usajobs.gov and create an online account. Qualified applicants must submit their application information online with the TSA by June 3 to be considered.
Those who qualify for in-person interviews will be notified by email. TSA personnel emphasized checking SPAM email inboxes to ensure correspondences are not missed.
In-person interviews for local positions will take place at a later date in Klamath Falls.
For more helpful hints on the application process, go online at www.tsacareercoaching.gov.
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