KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. – A suspected drug dealer is behind bars following a significant drug bust near Klamath Union High School. Thomas Walter Anderson, 58, was arrested Wednesday by the Basin Inter-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET) after being under surveillance by law enforcement. According to the Klamath Falls Police Department, BINET officers had been monitoring Anderson and his activities before moving in for his arrest. Authorities say Anderson gave consent for both a search of his person and his hotel room. Upon conducting the search, officers discovered a half ounce of fentanyl, individually packaged for sale, in addition to methamphetamine…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek introduced a new proposal on Monday aimed at addressing the state’s struggling public education system, following disappointing results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in January. The assessment revealed that Oregon’s fourth graders had some of the worst math and reading scores in the nation, ranking fourth from the bottom. During a press conference, Kotek outlined House Bill 2009, which would require the Oregon Department of Education to study the adequacy of the state’s public education system. The bill is part of a broader effort to reform how Oregon assesses and…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — As tax season rolls around, many local residents face the daunting task of navigating the often complex and confusing world of tax filing. However, for those with limited income, a nationwide program is providing valuable assistance to ensure they don’t have to face the stress of tax season alone. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services to individuals and families with an annual income of $67,000 or less. In Jackson County, the program is managed by United Way, in collaboration with the Teresa McCormick Center, and it aims to provide low-income…
KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. — A Klamath County man has been sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole after being convicted of multiple sex crimes involving children. Richard Travis Carlson, 52, was found guilty in February of eight counts of first-degree sodomy, with the crimes spanning from 2018 to 2023. The victims, all under the age of 12, were assaulted on separate occasions, prompting the jury’s decision to convict Carlson on all charges. The lengthy sentence is one of the longest ever imposed in Oregon for crimes of this nature, with the prosecution emphasizing the severity of…
MEDFORD, Ore. – A section of Foothill Road, from Coker Butte Road to Dry Creek Road, will be closed to all through traffic beginning Friday, March 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. The closure, which is expected to last until Friday, March 21, is necessary for repairs to a failing culvert. According to Jackson County Roads and Parks, construction crews will be working around the clock during the first weekend of the closure to minimize the disruption and shorten the overall closure period. Motorists are advised to find alternate routes during this time. The repair work is part of ongoing efforts…
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — The Jacksonville Fire Department is currently conducting its annual fire hydrant testing, a crucial process that will continue until the end of May. This testing allows local firefighters to ensure that each hydrant is fully operational and ready to serve in the event of a fire. Fire Captain Brian Barrett emphasized the importance of these tests, saying, “Not only do we want to provide a certain level of service in an emergency, but we want to know exactly what we can count on.” Throughout the testing, the firefighters assess both the pressure and flow of the fire…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – A Jackson County man has been sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to charges related to a fatal crash that occurred in June 2023. The incident, which involved driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), led to the death of 46-year-old Shasta Smith. Gary Caperna, 41, pleaded guilty on Friday morning to felony hit-and-run and DUII charges stemming from the tragic collision. According to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office, the crash occurred on the night of June 6, 2023, near the Jackson County Expo. The investigation revealed that Smith, who was driving…
LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. – The search for 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, who went missing on March 1, remains a top priority for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and several local agencies. Despite an ongoing and extensive effort, there has been no new information on Dane’s whereabouts, and authorities continue to pursue all leads. The primary area of focus for the search has been the Siletz River. On March 7, a boat equipped with specialized equipment covered approximately 14 miles of the river. This operation, part of a series of methodical searches, also included the use of underwater sonar technology and remotely…
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Crews are continuing cleanup efforts at Moore Park in Klamath Falls after last month’s winter storm caused significant damage to the park. The city announced on Thursday that certain areas of the park will reopen next week. Starting Monday, March 10, the entrance road gate leading to the Gingerbread House, tennis courts, and playground areas will be open to the public. The city reminded visitors to exercise caution around trees, as some branches may still be weakened due to the storm. However, not all areas of the park will be accessible just yet. Portions of the…
CAMAS VALLEY, Ore. – A 76-year-old man from Douglas County tragically lost his life in a house fire Wednesday evening, officials confirmed. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) reported that multiple fire agencies were dispatched shortly before 9:30 p.m. on March 5 to a residence located in the 300 block of Holmes Creek Road. According to dispatch reports, callers indicated that an individual confined to a wheelchair was still inside the burning home. Witnesses made several attempts to rescue the man, but efforts to reach him were unsuccessful. Firefighters arrived at the scene and found the deceased victim inside the…