MEDFORD, Ore. – In a major policy shift, Gov. Kate Brown this afternoon told school distrcts that students could return to in-person instruction based on their own judgment. Brown said her school metrics, which had been mandatory, will only be “advisory” in nature beginning Jan. 1. “This does not mean schools can resume in-person instruction without regard for COVID-19 spread in the community,” Brown said, “but instead should carefully consider the metrics in their local context, the needs of students and families, and readiness to implement health and safety protocols.” The Oregon Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, called…
Author: Tony Cooper
Oregon – The Oregon wine industry extended its remarkable – but almost predictable – recent run of acclaim when seven pinot noirs from the north Willamette Valley landed on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2020. Washington state saw three wines make the Top 100, meaning the Northwest is responsible for 10% of the list. A year ago, the Northwest placed a total of seven wines on the list. The Willamette Valley, and wines of Oregon as a category, has shined at retail checkout and Nielsen research in recent years. While much of the U.S. wine industry was flat in…
MEDFORD, Ore. — Medford Police are investigating a stabbing that happened Tuesday night. Medford police confirmed to Newswatch 12 that the incident happened at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night on Main Street. Police say the stabber called police claiming the victim tried to attack him. The victim has a stab would that is not life threatening, but police say the victim is seriously injured. Nobody has been charged.
MEDFORD, Ore. – As winter settles into communities throughout the Southern Oregon and Northern California region, ending a year that has brought challenges like no other, it’s the arts and humanities programs that continue to provide needed connection and healing. Local organizations that deliver music, theater and visual arts have had to pivot during 2020 in ways never imagined. Many have moved to virtual programming to connect with families and students at home while also working behind-the-scenes to preserve cherished in-person programs so that they can return in the future. To support these programs’ ongoing efforts, PacifiCorp Foundation, a nonprofit…
OREGON – A Republican Oregon mayor penned a letter to Gov. Kate Brown blasting the state’s coronavirus orders because “small communities across” the state are “tired of the double standard.” “Neighbors are able to pack into malls and support corporate America, but, for some reason, we can’t sit down and support local business owners along our main street. The double standards have to stop,” Stan Pulliam, the mayor of Sandy, told “America’s Newsroom.” Pulliam’s comments came after Brown extended a state of emergency declaration in Oregon until March 3, 2021. The previous executive order was set to expire on Jan. 2, 2021. Pulliam called…
MEDFORD, Ore. — Jackson County Public Health reports 29 new COVID-19 cases as of 12:01 am on December 24, 2020. Additionally, Jackson County Public Health reports one new COVID-19 death, bringing the total deaths to 64. These updates bring the total reported COVID-19 cases in Jackson County to 5,488. Jackson County’s 64th COVID-19 death is an 85-year-old woman who tested positive on November 10 and died on December 22 at her residence. She had underlying conditions. How the COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Distributed: COVID-19 vaccines are 95% effective and have undergone rigorous safety testing. Vaccination gives us hope that the…
MEDFORD, Ore. – People are losing it 9 months into the pandemic — no other way to look at it when folks are tearing up food displays in grocery stores, and rollerblading on the interstates in the buff. Ya gotta sees these videos of COVID cabin fever to the max … we’ll start in Medford, Oregon, where a man threw a bunch of food and drinks all over a supermarket before storming out the front door. The guy started slinging 2 liters of soda before tossing chips, and then getting more efficient by just toppling the whole display. His strut…
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Asante Employee RV Park is providing shelter for those displaced by the Almeda and Obenchain Fires. Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center spokesperson Lauren Van Sickle says about 80 employees lost their homes after the fires. “By opening the RV park, it gave them a space that they can go where it was safe and kind of on their own again,” Van Sickle said. There’s room for about 32 RV’s at the park. Van Sickle says about 20 Asante employees are currently staying there. Asante purchased slightly used RV’s for those who need them. Van Sickle says…
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Oregon Legislature passed a bill Monday that will allow restaurants and bars to sell cocktails and mixed drinks for takeout. Management at Tap and Vine say it’s a good option. “I think it’s nice for people that don’t really drink the beer or the wine, and they want to drink a cocktail, they can drink it in the comfort of their own home,” Adam McRill said. McRill says it could be good for business. “It helps sales with the restaurant as well, because alcohol is a little higher priced than, you know, food would be,” McRill…
MEDFORD, Ore. — The first long-term care facility residents and staff in Oregon began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday. Local facilities like Bonaventure of Medford say they aren’t expecting to receive the vaccine for at least two months. However, director of operations Jeremiah Gray says they’re prepared for its arrival. “Our team can mobilize and we’d be ready to go tomorrow,” Gray said. “So for us, all of our pieces are in place.” Gray says the facility already has a contract with Walgreens as their pharmacy to help with vaccine distribution. He says the vaccine will be given to them…