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…
Author: Sarah Prescott
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…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Residents of the Water’s Edge RV Park along the Rogue River are standing firm against an impending eviction deadline, despite receiving formal notice from Jackson County earlier this year. The county has ordered the property owners to remove additional residents by April 1, following a notification in January. The eviction notice has sparked concern and frustration among those who call the park home, many of whom are now facing the prospect of being displaced. However, despite the looming deadline, residents are making it clear they have no intention of leaving the property. “We’re not leaving,” said…
Medford, OR – Oregon’s unemployment rate saw another increase in February, rising to 4.5%, up from 4.1% during the same period last year. This marks a notable rise in the state’s unemployment rate, bringing it 0.4% above the national average. Despite the overall increase in unemployment, some sectors in the state saw job gains. The professional and business services, information, and government sectors were among the top performers, collectively adding more than 500 jobs. However, other industries faced setbacks. Construction, private educational services, and financial services all experienced job losses over the past month. Gail Krumenauer, Oregon’s state employment economist,…
Medford, OR – Nearly five years after the devastating Almeda Fire ravaged the Rogue Valley, two manufactured home parks in Medford and Phoenix have become the first in their cities to apply for Firewise recognition, signaling a significant step toward increasing fire safety and resilience in the region. San George Estates, located in Medford, and Creekside Estates, situated in Phoenix, are working diligently to make their communities safer and more fire-adapted. Both parks have already undertaken extensive efforts to reduce fire risks, with more improvements planned for the coming weeks. The Firewise program, aimed at reducing wildfire risks and increasing…
Medford, OR – The Oregon Senate has passed a landmark piece of legislation aimed at protecting immigrant tenants from discrimination based on their immigration status. Senate Bill 599, described by supporters as a “moral imperative,” was approved on Monday and is now headed to the Oregon House for further consideration. The bill prohibits landlords from asking about or disclosing a tenant’s immigration status, closing a gap in existing state law that already prohibits housing discrimination based on national origin or race. While the legislation is part of a broader effort to strengthen protections for immigrants, it also comes in response…
Applegate Valley, OR – Detectives from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) are continuing their investigation into the suspicious death of a woman whose remains were discovered in the Applegate Valley in April 2024. Authorities have confirmed that Merkel, the deceased, died under circumstances they are treating as suspicious. While her identity was confirmed through DNA testing, the exact cause of death remains under investigation. The discovery of Merkel’s remains was made by mushroom hunters, who stumbled upon the site after the body had been exposed to the elements for a prolonged period. JCSO officials noted that the remains had been…
ASHLAND, Ore. — Early Sunday morning, Ashland resident Tom Baker had a startling encounter when he spotted a bear and its cub rummaging through his trash cans. The sighting, which took place around his property, left Baker in awe of the animals’ size. “I was shocked by the size of the bear,” Baker said. “Standing next to my car, it was enormous—almost at the top line of my car. When I saw the cub, I thought, ‘That’s almost 150 pounds, and this one is at least 350 or more.'” This recent sighting marks the third reported instance of wildlife in…