Medford, OR – Rogue Retreat, a non-profit organization based in Medford, has officially taken over the operation of Ashland’s severe weather shelter for the winter season. The shelter, located at 2200 Ashland St., will remain open for 90 consecutive days from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., providing a safe space for individuals in need of warmth and shelter. Rogue Retreat’s Executive Director, Sam Engle, noted that as the weather turns colder and wetter, the organization expects more individuals to seek refuge at the shelter. “We’re expecting as the word on the street gets out and as the weather potentially gets…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office announced a successful New Year’s Eve DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) patrol operation, reporting a significant number of traffic stops and arrests while ensuring public safety on the roads. Throughout the night, deputies made approximately 200 traffic stops, which resulted in 21 DUII arrests. In addition to the arrests, only one minor crash was reported. Notably, the driver at fault in the incident was also arrested for DUII. Deputy Aaron Grissom, a patrol officer with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, expressed satisfaction with the results of the operation. “It was…
Medford, OR – Oregon is ushering in several new laws in 2025, covering a range of topics from environmental sustainability to public safety. Among the most notable changes are a ban on Styrofoam containers, new regulations on public transportation, and expanded rights for consumers to repair their own electronic devices. Styrofoam Ban Targets Environmental Impact One of the most anticipated changes is Oregon’s Styrofoam ban, which went into effect this year. Approved by the legislature in 2023, the law prohibits restaurants, food trucks, and other food service businesses from using Styrofoam containers. This ban aims to reduce the state’s environmental…
Medford, OR – All lanes of Highway 97 just north of Chiloquin in Klamath County are closed following a crash that occurred Wednesday night. The incident took place at milepost 234, approximately 21 miles south of the intersection with Highway 138. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there is no estimated time for the highway to reopen, and drivers in the area are advised to expect long delays. ODOT also confirmed that there are no local detours available for motorists traveling through the region. Authorities are working to clear the scene, and updates will be provided as more…
Medford, OR – A man wanted by authorities in Josephine County, Oregon, since 2019 has been arrested in Cambodia, where he had been evading capture for several years. Shawn Higbee, 48, is facing charges of first-degree sodomy. According to a statement from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, an arrest warrant for Higbee had been outstanding since 2019, but he had managed to remain at large. Law enforcement officials, however, were able to track his whereabouts after an analyst discovered that Higbee had fled to Cambodia, where he had been living for an extended period. The Sheriff’s Office stated that through…
Medford, OR – After evading authorities for several years, fugitive Shawn Christian Higbee has been apprehended in Cambodia, bringing an end to a lengthy and complex manhunt. Higbee, who was born on May 29, 1983, had been a wanted man since 2019, when an arrest warrant was issued in Josephine County, Oregon, on charges of Sodomy 1. Despite efforts by local law enforcement to track him down, Higbee managed to elude capture, reportedly fleeing the United States shortly after the warrant was issued. For years, his whereabouts remained a mystery, frustrating authorities and leaving the case unsolved. However, in recent…
Medford, OR – Oregon has officially become the third state in the nation to mandate the divestment from coal companies, following the passage of House Bill 4083. The bill, which passed with significant support from environmental organizations like Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, requires the Oregon Investment Council to divest from publicly traded coal companies, signaling the state’s continued commitment to addressing climate change. The bill’s passage was heralded as a pivotal step in aligning Oregon’s financial practices with its broader environmental goals. Alan Journet, co-facilitator of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, testified in favor of the bill, stressing the…
Medford, OR – The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has issued a public warning about an alarming new scam targeting vehicle buyers and dealerships across the state. Scammers are using fraudulent Manufacturer Certificates of Origin (MCO) to obtain fake titles for stolen vehicles. In an effort to make the vehicles appear legitimate, the perpetrators are also creating and attaching counterfeit Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to these forged documents. According to the DMV, these deceptive practices are part of a growing trend in vehicle fraud that can result in unsuspecting buyers purchasing stolen or improperly titled vehicles. The fake MCOs,…
Medford, OR – Approximately 478 customers in the Applegate area are without power following a downed power line incident early this morning. Pacific Power reported the outage at 6:17 a.m., attributing the cause to fallen trees. The utility company has estimated that power will be restored by 9:30 a.m. In addition to the power outage, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has closed Jacksonville Highway (OR 238) at Thompson Creek Road due to the downed lines. ODOT officials have indicated that there is no local detour available and are advising drivers to seek alternate routes. At this time, Pacific Power…
Medford, OR – In response to rising concerns over highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Wildlife Images, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center, has raised its disease prevention protocols to level three. This decision comes as part of the center’s efforts to safeguard its animals, particularly its ambassador birds, and to minimize the risk of the virus spreading. So far, no cases of HPAI have been detected at Wildlife Images, but the organization is taking extra precautions to protect its wildlife population. These measures include additional steps to prevent cross-contamination between birds and mammals, as well as temporarily removing the ambassador birds…