MEDFORD, Ore. – A peaceful protest was held Saturday afternoon at the intersection of West Eighth Street and South Oakdale Avenue in Medford, drawing more than 100 people from the local Latino community and their supporters. The demonstration was a call for solidarity, safety, and inclusion, aimed at amplifying the voices of those who may feel vulnerable or marginalized in today’s political climate. Participants held signs aloft with strong messages, while flags were draped around the shoulders of many in attendance. As cars honked in support, the gathering remained calm and focused on its message of unity and justice. “We…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, Ore. – A legal hearing took place Friday at the Josephine County Circuit Court in the ongoing case of John West versus Lily Morgan. The case centers around a recall petition that led to West’s removal from office as a county commissioner in December, a petition spearheaded by Morgan, his fellow former commissioner and state representative. West, a Republican, is suing Morgan, also a Republican, over the recall petition she filed against him. Morgan, who served as the chief petitioner in the recall effort, has defended the petition, stating that the recall was not politically motivated but was driven…
MEDFORD, Ore. – Medford Parks and Recreation is currently assessing the damage caused by heavy snowfall that hit the area recently. The city has reported significant damage to trees in several parks, prompting a major cleanup effort by the department. Parks and Recreation crews have been working diligently to clear debris from affected areas, but due to the widespread damage, city officials estimate that cleanup could take several weeks to complete. Fallen trees, broken branches, and other hazardous debris have been identified across multiple park locations. City representatives are urging residents to exercise caution when visiting local parks during this…
Medford, Ore. – The Applegate Valley Fire District (AVFD) has proudly announced the acquisition of a “new-to-them” Type 3 Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) engine, bolstering their firefighting capabilities for future emergencies. The purchase was made possible through the efforts of the Friends of the Applegate Fire District, a local organization dedicated to supporting the fire department. The fire engine, which was previously owned by Ashland Fire & Rescue, recently returned from a deployment to the Los Angeles wildfires. The addition of this engine represents a significant upgrade for the district, which serves a rural area vulnerable to wildfires. The Type…
Southern Oregon – The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been working diligently to clear roadways and ensure safe driving conditions for residents and travelers in the wake of winter storms this week. The ongoing storm activity has created significant challenges for transportation officials as they focus on managing snow accumulation, icy roads, and hazardous conditions across the region. In particular, the Siskiyou Pass and Greensprings areas have experienced power outages, disrupting the functionality of several TripCheck cameras. These cameras, which provide real-time updates on road conditions, have been temporarily offline due to the outages. ODOT has reported that utility…
Medford, OR – Several schools across Southern Oregon and Northern California are closing or delaying their schedules Friday, February 7, as a winter storm continues to impact the region. With snow and hazardous conditions expected to persist throughout the day, school officials have made the decision to prioritize student and staff safety by adjusting their operations. Schools Closed on Friday, February 7: College of the Siskiyous Klamath County School District Klamath Falls City Schools Pinehurst School District Ashland School District In addition to these closures, a number of schools are implementing delayed start times for Friday. Schools with Delayed Openings:…
Medford, OR – Pacific Power announced that 97% of customers who lost power during this week’s winter storms in southern Oregon have had their service restored. Over 300 field crews and support staff have been working around the clock to repair the damage caused by snow accumulation and fallen trees, which knocked down power lines and damaged electrical equipment. The utility company reported that its crews are focused on the hardest-hit areas, including the Medford, Grants Pass, and Klamath Falls districts. These regions have seen extensive damage, with more than 200 spans of downed power lines, broken utility poles, and…
Medford, OR – Traffic in southern Oregon has been severely impacted following the closure of Interstate 5 (I-5) earlier today. While the closure has since been lifted, significant delays persist as both northbound and southbound traffic struggle to move over Siskiyou Summit. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area if possible as congestion continues to build. Currently, the only remaining closure is on OR-273, which is shut down between mileposts 0 and 12. In addition, OR-66 is facing a conditional closure between mileposts 6.5 and 50.6, though it remains open under certain conditions. In Medford, hazardous driving conditions are…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, are in custody at the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center after being arrested on a series of serious felony charges. The arrests occurred following a search warrant served by Grants Pass Police detectives and patrol officers in the northwest part of the city on Thursday. The boys face a range of charges, including first-degree kidnapping, strangulation, second- and third-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, menacing, and criminal conspiracy. Authorities have not released the identities of the suspects, as they are minors, and the…
Medford, OR – This evening, emergency crews responded to a dramatic structural collapse in the area after a carport buckled under the weight of heavy snow, trapping a man beneath it. The incident occurred when the snow accumulation caused the carport to give way, leaving the man trapped under the debris. A quick-thinking neighbor heard the man’s calls for help and immediately dialed 911, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Engine 15, Heavy Rescue 14, and Squad 14 were first to arrive on the scene, equipped with specialized technical rescue tools and training. Using their expertise, the rescue teams…