Medford, OR – As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make inroads into the healthcare industry, some states are beginning to take action to ensure patient safety and preserve the roles of healthcare professionals. In Oregon, state Rep. Travis Nelson, a nurse and Portland Democrat, is spearheading an effort to prevent AI systems from assuming the title of “nurse.” His proposed legislation, House Bill 2748, would ban any nonhuman entity, including AI, from using this title in the state. The bill comes at a time of increasing concern within the nursing community about AI technologies that threaten to replace or devalue…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, Ore. – A local woman has become the first beneficiary of the ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP), moving into a newly purchased home thanks to the program’s funding. Joan, whose identity has been protected for privacy reasons, now resides in a three-bedroom house made possible by the assistance of HARP. Launched in 2024, the program was established in response to the devastation caused by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires that impacted communities across Oregon. The initiative is funded by the federal $422 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, aimed at helping homeowners who lost their properties…
ROGUE RIVER, Ore. — A 40-year-old man from Rogue River is facing multiple charges after allegedly striking a woman with his vehicle while she was walking along Queens Branch Road on the evening of January 26. According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was attempting to gain control of her horse when the car collided with her. The impact caused major injuries, and the woman was transported to a local hospital. Thankfully, she remains in stable condition. The horse, however, was uninjured in the crash. The driver, later identified as Jason Allan Baker, reportedly…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, are in juvenile detention after being arrested on multiple felony charges, including kidnapping, following a search warrant executed by Grants Pass Police on Thursday. The arrests stem from an ongoing investigation, with the suspects facing a range of serious charges. These include first-degree kidnapping, strangulation, second- and third-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, menacing, and criminal conspiracy. Detectives and patrol officers served the search warrant in the northwest part of the city. Both boys have been lodged in the Josephine County Juvenile Justice…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — As the temperatures in Grants Pass remain above freezing this weekend, one of the few resources for the city’s unhoused population may have to close its doors overnight due to a lack of capacity. The Mobile Integrative Navigation Team (MINT) severe weather shelter has been overwhelmed with demand in recent weeks. The shelter, which operates under city rules allowing it to open when temperatures fall to 30 degrees or less, has seen a significant increase in the number of individuals seeking shelter since the closure of a large camping site on city-owned property on J Street.…
Medford, Ore. – A high-speed crash involving a white pickup truck on West Main Street this morning has prompted an investigation by Medford Police, who are looking into the possibility of driving under the influence (DUI). At approximately 8:30 a.m., the Medford Police Department (MPD) received multiple reports of a reckless driver traveling at high speeds and driving head-on into oncoming traffic. Responding officers found the vehicle had crashed into a nearby tree, and the driver, identified as 30-year-old Austin Meyer of Medford, was seriously injured. Meyer was immediately transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Despite the severity…
Medford, Ore. – The City of Medford is inviting residents to an open house at the Holly Theatre this Thursday evening to discuss updates on the Downtown 2040 Plan. The event, which will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., will provide an opportunity for the public to review the draft of the plan, highlight areas of concern, and offer feedback on the vision for downtown’s future. The Downtown 2040 Plan is part of a long-term initiative aimed at revitalizing and improving the downtown area. City officials have been gathering input from the community over the past few months, and…
Josephine County, Ore. – The Josephine County Public Health Department is alerting residents to an increase in cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, across the region. The highly contagious respiratory disease, caused by bacteria that spread through coughs and sneezes, has been reported in several individuals, prompting health officials to take action. Pertussis is particularly dangerous for infants and young children, who are at the highest risk of severe, life-threatening complications. Symptoms often begin with cold-like signs, followed by persistent coughing fits that can last for weeks or even months. During these coughing episodes, children may experience gagging,…
COOS COUNTY, Ore. – A fatal crash on Highway 101 Monday night left one woman dead and another man seriously injured, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP). At approximately 6:30 p.m., a 79-year-old woman, identified as Judy Marie Scharf of Bandon, was driving a Ford Ranger northbound just outside of Coos Bay. For reasons still under investigation, Scharf’s vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 71-year-old man from Sixes. Scharf was pronounced dead at the scene, while the male driver of the Silverado was transported to a nearby hospital with…
JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – Local officials are inviting the public to participate in an upcoming town hall to discuss the newly released Wildfire Hazard Map by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Josephine County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The forum, organized by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, will give residents an opportunity to learn about the Wildfire Hazard Map, which categorizes properties into low, moderate, and high wildfire risk zones. Attendees will also have the chance to ask questions during a Q&A session and share their…