Medford, OR – As Oregon’s 83rd Legislative Assembly enters its long session, hundreds of bills have been introduced, including those addressing contentious issues surrounding immigration and agriculture. These proposed laws have sparked debate across the state, drawing attention to Oregon’s sanctuary policies and the state’s agricultural practices. Immigration Legislation Targets Sanctuary Status Among the most closely watched immigration-related bills are those that challenge Oregon’s sanctuary status. Oregon has long maintained policies that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. However, two bills now making their way through the legislature aim to change that stance. Senate Bill 11, introduced…
Author: Sarah Prescott
MEDFORD, Ore. – Striking nurses at Providence Medford Medical Center are facing a looming deadline, as the healthcare provider plans to cut health benefits for 5,000 striking nurses across eight Oregon hospitals. The benefits are set to expire in just 10 days, leaving many workers worried about how they will manage their healthcare needs. Jennifer Smith, a registered nurse at Providence Medford, spoke out about the impact this will have on her and her colleagues. She revealed that some nurses are already seeking alternative employment to secure health insurance, while others are turning to the Oregon Health Plan as a…
Medford, OR – Pacific Power is nearing the completion of an ambitious infrastructure upgrade project in the Mt. Shasta area, which began in 2021. The initiative aims to reduce the risk of equipment-related wildfires while improving service reliability for local residents. As part of the project, the utility company replaced 46 miles of power lines with covered conductor cables in 2024. Covered conductor technology helps mitigate wildfire risks by reducing the likelihood of sparks caused by interference with power lines, such as contact with trees, animals, or debris. Simon Gutierrez, Senior Communications Specialist with Pacific Power, explained that the new…
Jackson County, Ore. — Jesse Rex Orndoff, a former teacher at Rogue River Junior/Senior High School, entered a not guilty plea Tuesday during his arraignment in Jackson County Circuit Court. Orndoff is facing ten felony charges, including second-degree sexual abuse, third-degree rape, and third-degree sodomy, stemming from alleged incidents that occurred between 2013 and 2015 when the victim was a student at the school. The charges arose after a woman came forward on February 13, claiming she had been sexually abused by Orndoff, who was her teacher and coach at the time. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the…
Medford, OR – In a sweeping move to reduce the size of the federal government, the Trump administration has abruptly terminated the employment of approximately 4,400 U.S. National Parks and Forest Service workers across the country. The layoffs, which have taken place over the past several days, have affected employees in states such as Oregon and Washington, leaving many shocked and struggling to adjust. Among those impacted is Liz Crandall, who worked as a permanent field ranger in the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon since November 2023. Having spent seven years working seasonally for the Forest Service prior to securing…
COOS BAY, Ore. – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is responding to growing concerns over the 2010 hiring of a faculty member who is a registered sex offender. The college issued a statement on February 12, 2025, to address public scrutiny regarding Curtis Buell, the current director of adult and pre-college education and tutoring, whose criminal history dates back to 2007. Buell, a former chemistry teacher at Churchill High School in Eugene, Oregon, was convicted on 18 counts of sexual abuse involving underaged female students. Court records show Buell was found guilty of inappropriate touching, instructing students to touch him,…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The Mobile Integrative Navigation Team (MINT), a vital outreach organization serving the unhoused community in Josephine County, has announced changes to its operations due to warmer weather in the forecast. The MINT’s inclement weather shelter, which has been a crucial resource during the colder months, will be closing as temperatures rise. The shelter had provided temporary relief to individuals experiencing homelessness during severe weather conditions, but with milder weather expected, MINT is shifting its focus. Despite the shelter’s closure, the MINT Navigation Center will continue to operate as a resource hub, remaining open Monday through Friday…
Medford, OR – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is currently accepting appeals to the statewide wildfire hazard map, with the deadline set for March 10. Governor Tina Kotek has directed the pause in the referral of appeals until after this year’s legislative session, allowing additional time for public input and transparency on the matter. This pause is part of the governor’s broader effort to address the state’s need for long-term, sustainable funding for wildfire response and mitigation. While this decision has been made to foster a more transparent process, it comes amid increasing resistance from Oregon Republicans, who are…
GOLD HILL, Ore. — Railroad employees are investigating a crash that occurred on Monday morning when a train collided with an abandoned truck parked on the tracks in rural Gold Hill. At approximately 9:25 a.m., Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon dispatch received a report of the incident. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) stated that the truck, which was left on the tracks, had been driven to the location via a dirt road about a mile off of Gold Ray Road. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no individuals were present at the scene when the crash occurred. Upon further…
Medford, OR — The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC) held a virtual meeting on February 14 to discuss several important updates to the state’s fish and wildlife regulations. Among the key decisions made was a new daily catch limit for recreational harvesters of purple sea urchins and an approval for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to issue Letters of Authorization for controlled culling of sea urchins to protect critical kelp and seaweed ecosystems. The Commission voted to allow a daily limit of 35 purple sea urchins for recreational harvesters, a move aimed at promoting sustainable harvesting…