Klamath County, Ore. – A 34-year-old man is dead following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning on Highway 97 in Klamath County. Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to the scene at approximately 8:46 a.m. near milepost 176. According to OSP investigators, the driver of a northbound Buick LeSabre, identified as Leif Taylor Celusta, lost control of his vehicle and veered into the southbound lane. The LeSabre collided with a southbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, driven by 58-year-old Robert Emil Mewes of Madras. Celusta was declared dead at the scene, while Mewes, the driver of the Kenworth, was uninjured in…
Author: Sarah Prescott
MEDFORD, Ore. – The City of Medford is exploring potential changes to the controversial bike lanes along Main Street after a mixed public reaction to the re-striping project completed in the fall of 2023. During a recent City Council meeting, Public Works Director John Vial presented a range of options for modifications to the city’s Transportation System Plan, with a focus on the Main Street bike lanes. The re-striping, which aimed to improve bike safety and reduce traffic, has sparked debate among residents, business owners, and commuters alike, with some expressing concern about the resulting traffic delays and changes to…
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — A 45-year-old man from White City was struck and killed by a vehicle early Tuesday morning on Foothill Road near the intersection of Corey Road in rural Central Point, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). At approximately 4:44 a.m., ECSO Dispatch received a 911 call from the driver involved in the collision. Deputies, along with responders from Jackson County Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights, arrived at the scene shortly thereafter. The victim, later identified as Matthew Edward Davenport, was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead at 5:42 a.m. Authorities reported…
Medford, Ore. — A Jacksonville man is in custody after attempting to lure and sexually exploit a local teenager, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The incident began when the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Anthony Nicholas Wheeler, engaged in inappropriate communication with the underaged victim via Snapchat’s “Quick Add” feature. Authorities report that the victim’s parents became aware of the interactions on March 22 and immediately intervened by contacting law enforcement. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office then transferred the case to the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET), which took control of the victim’s Snapchat account. Through this investigation,…
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) marked an important milestone this week with a swearing-in ceremony, where several members of the department received promotions, and a new hire was welcomed to the team. The ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Sheriff’s Office, was attended by staff, family, and community members, all gathered to recognize the achievements of the department’s personnel. Sheriff Nate Sickler led the event, swearing in the new lieutenants, sergeants, corporal, and deputy, each taking the next step in their careers within the organization. Among those promoted were Lieutenant Ainsworth, Lieutenant Richmond, Sergeant Amaya,…
Medford, OR – Curry County is continuing to deal with the aftermath of the severe weather and flooding that impacted the region earlier this month. The county’s Emergency Management team, led by Emergency Manager Jeff Hughes, has been working closely with state agencies to coordinate recovery efforts. In a statement issued Thursday, Curry County Emergency Management (CCEM) called on residents and property owners who have experienced flood-related damages to document the destruction. The county is requesting that individuals take clear photographs of the damage and compile written statements detailing the extent of the loss. To assist with the recovery process,…
Klamath County, Ore. – A La Pine woman has been cited on 69 counts of first-degree animal neglect following an investigation into reports of mistreatment of dogs on her 10-acre property. Christina Cairns, 65, was arrested on Wednesday and subsequently released after authorities seized several dogs from her residence. The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) received assistance from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) during the investigation, which revealed one deceased dog on the property. Additionally, four dogs remain missing, and authorities are actively working to locate and capture them using live traps. According to KCSO, Cairns cooperated with the…
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — A Jacksonville man is in custody after allegedly attempting to lure and sexually corrupt a teenager through Snapchat. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) announced that 39-year-old Anthony Nicholas Wheeler has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including first-degree online sexual corruption of a child, second-degree online sexual corruption of a child, and luring a minor. The investigation began on March 22, when the victim’s parents discovered concerning communications between their child and Wheeler on Snapchat. The child’s parents promptly intervened and reported the matter to the JCSO. Detectives from the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET)…
Medford, Ore. — The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) held a swearing-in ceremony this week to celebrate several promotions and the addition of a new team member. The event, which took place Wednesday at the Sheriff’s Office, recognized the hard work and dedication of individuals advancing within the department. Sheriff Nate Sickler led the ceremony, where Lieutenant Ainsworth, Lieutenant Richmond, Sergeant Amaya, Sergeant Grissom, Sergeant Kolkemo, Corporal Auchard, and Deputy Wilson were officially sworn in. Their promotions reflect their commitment and performance within the department, and the ceremony marked a significant milestone in their careers. In addition to the promotions,…
Medford, OR – Oregon’s ability to respond to and recover from disasters is at risk as more than $2 billion in FEMA funds remain frozen. The funds, which are essential for disaster response, recovery, and preparedness, have been held up, creating significant challenges for state and local agencies. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) administers 29 separate FEMA grants for federal disaster assistance, many of which directly impact Southern Oregon, a region already grappling with severe weather conditions this year, including snowstorms and flooding. Erin McMahon, Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, emphasized the widespread consequences of…