Medford, Ore. — In a historic move, the Oregon Department of State Lands has allocated a record-breaking $76.8 million to the state’s 197 public school districts as part of the 2025 Common School Fund. This distribution, marking the largest amount in the fund’s history, is set to support schools across Oregon, providing a critical financial resource for districts grappling with rising costs. The $76.8 million represents 3.5% of the total value of the Common School Fund, which is currently valued at $2.38 billion as of February 2025. The funds are distributed based on student enrollment, with calculations adhering to the…
Author: Sarah Prescott
EAGLE POINT, Ore. — Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) are investigating a stabbing that took place Thursday morning, in what officials have described as a case of self-defense. At approximately 8:31 a.m., ECSO 911 Dispatch received a report of a stabbing in the 2100 block of Rogue River Drive in Eagle Point. Deputies, along with responders from Jackson County Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights, rushed to the scene. A Mercy Flights ambulance transported the wounded suspect to a local hospital after deputies secured the area. According to detectives, a commercial electrician was working in the area…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A 22-year-old man is dead following a motorcycle crash on Monday, March 10, in Grants Pass. The incident occurred early in the morning, at approximately 6:03 a.m., on the 2500 block of Granite Hill Road. According to authorities, Jesse Louis Tillett was found deceased off the roadway alongside his 2003 Suzuki Sport Bike. Responding agencies, including the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Rural Metro Fire, and American Medical Response, arrived at the scene shortly after the crash was reported. Investigators determined that Tillett’s motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, causing him to lose control.…
Medford, OR – Senator Jeff Merkley recently visited several counties in Oregon, including Jackson and Josephine on Sunday, followed by Morrow, Gilliam, and Sherman on Tuesday. His trip centered around engaging with local residents, particularly regarding concerns about federal land management and the ongoing challenges faced by Oregon’s forests. One of the major topics that surfaced was the potential cuts to the workforce and funding for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service, which many fear could intensify wildfire seasons in the region. Merkley emphasized the importance of having a well-trained and adequately staffed workforce to respond…
Medford, Ore. – Representative Pam Marsh introduced two new bills on Tuesday aimed at addressing the growing concern over utility-caused wildfires in Oregon. The proposed legislation seeks to provide financial relief to victims while imposing stricter safety standards on utility companies. The first bill, HB3917, proposes the creation of an $800 million fund designed to compensate individuals whose properties are destroyed by wildfires caused by utility equipment. According to Marsh, the fund would serve as an immediate source of financial relief for affected property owners, allowing them to recover faster than through the traditional legal process. “The intention of the…
JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – From March 6 to 10, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office led a multi-agency operation aimed at increasing public safety through comprehensive sex offender compliance checks and the apprehension of individuals with outstanding warrants. The operation, known as Operation Sentinel, was carried out in collaboration with several local, state, and federal agencies. The primary focus of the operation was to ensure that sex offenders were in compliance with their registration requirements, with a particular emphasis on those who had failed to register, absconded, or were repeat offenders. Additionally, the operation targeted individuals with outstanding felony and misdemeanor…
GLENDALE, Ore. – A Wolf Creek man is in jail and facing a manslaughter charge after his 11-year-old daughter was killed in a motor vehicle crash Monday afternoon. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), deputies responded to the crash around 1:30 p.m., which occurred on Oregon Department of Forestry land bordering the 1200 block of Tunnel Road in Glendale. DCSO says three juvenile girls were inside a Ford F250, driven by Ian Anthony Fleming, when the crash occurred. The pickup truck reportedly rolled multiple times down an embankment, ejecting all three girls. Fleming escaped the pickup on his…
ILLINOIS VALLEY, Ore. – The Upper Illinois River Watershed Post-Fire Restoration Project is in its final stages after nearly a year of work. The project, which began in April 2023, focused on replanting and remediating land severely impacted by the Slater Fire, which ravaged the area in 2020. A coalition of local organizations, including the Illinois Valley Soil and Water Conservation District (IVSWCD), the Illinois Valley Fire Resiliency Oversight Group (IVFROG), and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), have collaborated to restore 74 acres of land in the Illinois Valley. John Bellville, District Manager for the IVSWCD, spoke about the…
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — The Klamath Falls Police Department (KFPD) has made an arrest in connection with a series of recent burglaries in the city. The arrest comes after an ongoing investigation that began earlier this month. On March 2, officers responded to a suspicious incident report at Riy’s Market, located at 4237 Greensprings Drive. An employee had noticed personal property outside the business, prompting the call to authorities. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the market had been burglarized. This led to the initiation of an investigation. Three days later, on March 5, officers responded to an alarm at Tyler’s…
Medford, OR – On Sunday afternoon, March 9, a fire broke out at a manufactured home in the 2600 block of Glory C Road. The fire was reported by a concerned neighbor who observed smoke and flames from the front of the residence. The neighbor immediately verified that no one was inside the home before calling 9-1-1 to alert authorities. Firefighters arrived swiftly at the scene and found the structure engulfed in smoke and flames emanating from the front of the home. The first engine crew quickly began suppressing the fire, which was primarily contained to the living room and…