Author: Tony Cooper

Dozens of high school students signed their letters of intent to go to Rogue Community College. It’s part of the college’s “CTE Signing Day.” This is the third year RCC has held the signing day. Students commit to a Career Technical Education, or CTE, program. “I think it’s huge because it gets them into the door and it’s nice to see that students at such young of an age have an actual direction that they want to go, and it’s a big advantage for them when they come a do the signing day,” said Pete Ridgeway. Rideway is the Co-Department…

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The Oregon Health Authority reported 36 more deaths attributed to coronavirus on Wednesday, yet another record for fatalities reported on a single day since the pandemic began. The last record, reported last Friday, was for 30 deaths. “The news of three dozen lives lost weighs heavily on all Oregonians,” said Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority. “Today we share an unfortunate milestone since the first case was reported in February that 36 deaths were reported today, the highest single day loss of life to date from COVID-19. All of us are affected, and the families and friends of those…

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Oregon’s death toll is now 1,214 people. The previous record for most COVID-19 deaths reported in a single day in Oregon was 36 on Dec. 8. “Today’s record-high death toll tragically reminds us that the pandemic is far from over despite the arrival of vaccines in Oregon,” said Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority. “These Oregonians and the ones who passed before them were loved ones who will be dearly missed by their families, for whom we express our sincerest condolences.” The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) also reported 1,129 new cases of the virus on Tuesday. The number of known…

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A former Jackson County sheriff’s deputy has pleaded guilty to a charge of official misconduct in Jackson County Circuit Court. Roger Campbell, 39, pleaded guilty Tuesday to the misdemeanor charge, the Mail Tribune reported. The charge stemmed from evidence uncovered in October 2019 that Campbell had taken sexually explicit photos of himself while in uniform in his patrol car and sent them to an acquaintance. An Oregon State Police examiner was investigating the woman’s phone in an unrelated case and found the photos of Campbell taken May 5, 2019, according to Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert. State police subpoenaed the…

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The Rogue International Medford Airport is anticipating a busy holiday travel season. “We’re still seeing a lot of folks coming in, taking their trips and going off to visit family and doing the things that they would normally do during the holiday season,” said Jason Foster, air service manager. Although non-essential travel isn’t reccomended during this time, Foster says a lot of people have already pre-planned and pre-booked their trips. Foster says their focus continues to be on keeping the airport safe for travelers. “We’ve upgraded the cleaners at the start of the pandemic to all hospital grade,” Foster said. “You can…

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A man was wounded in an officer-involved shooting last night in White City after neighbors complained of a party. Authorities are providing little information about the incident that took place just before 8 pm. According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of “a disorderly loud party” in the 2500 block of Agate Meadows in White City at around 7:44 pm. According to the department, neighbors had reported a group of more than 25 subjects were inside the house and there were several speeding vehicles leaving the scene as well as other…

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Across the state of Oregon, 45 trees now grow from a harrowing lineage. They originate from trees that survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan — 75 years ago on Thursday, August 6. The campaign to bring these “peace trees” to Oregon began with Hiroshima survivor and current Medford resident Hideko Tamura-Snider. After founding the non-profit One Sunny Day Initiatives in 2007 to educate the public on the consequences of nuclear proliferation, Tamura-Snider pushed for the planting of seedlings from her home city of Hiroshima around her adopted state of Oregon. People in almost 30 communities around Oregon helped to plant those trees — ginkgo and…

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A local Lyft driver says people do not need to be afraid to take an Uber or Lyft. An Uber driver is accused of sexually assaulting one of his riders. Now some people are afraid to order a Lyft or an Uber. “My mom is like you are never taking Uber. She is like that’s just way to scary.” said Alexis Mahar. She lives in the Roguve Valley. “I would rather call a family or friend.” “People begin to think ride share isn’t very safe.” said Mary Carolin. She is a Lyft driver with some insight that might make you feel…

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Jackson County Public Health reports 124 new COVID-19 cases November 28, 2020. Health officials say that because Jackson County Public Health was closed for the holiday, Saturday’s daily case count is higher than expected. This update brings the total reported COVID-19 cases in Jackson County to 3,769. Jackson County Public Health reports two new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total COVID-19 deaths to 31 in Jackson County.

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The Rogue Valley Transportation District has suspended a route that serves Ashland, Talent, Phoenix and Medford until further notice because of wildfires. A temporary limited loop is in place that runs between the Ashland Plaza and the business park that houses Bi-Mart and Shop’n Kart on the south end of town. “The route uses the same footprint as route 10 but does not go farther north than the Ashland Plaza,” according to a news release. RVTD also has a special emergency service route that runs between Medford and Ashland through Saturday, Sept. 12. It runs from Medford at exit 27…

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