Phoenix, Ore. – A Phoenix High School cheerleader and her family are speaking out after they claim the student was the target of ongoing racial bullying by her peers, leading to an investigation by both the school and a third-party organization. Sydney Waites, a member of the Phoenix High School cheerleading team, has been a source of inspiration to younger students, who often look up to her during school events. But recent events have cast a shadow over her experience at the school. Waites, who had previously expressed pride in her role as a cheerleader, is now taking time away…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – In a bold move to enhance firefighter safety and improve rescue operations, the Medford Fire Department has issued Personal Rescue Devices, commonly known as “Bailout Kits,” to every member of its team. Last week, firefighters completed training on how to effectively use these essential tools, which are designed to help them quickly and safely escape dangerous situations when traditional exits are unavailable. The Bailout Kit is a compact, all-in-one package containing the equipment necessary for a rapid evacuation. The pack includes tools that allow firefighters to escape burning or collapsing buildings, but it also serves a dual…
Medford, Ore. – Superior Athletic Club in Medford is offering a unique range of fitness classes aimed at individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The gym recently expanded its offerings with a new Pedaling for Parkinson’s cycling class, complementing its established Rocksteady boxing program. These classes are designed to help those affected by the disease improve their mobility, strength, and overall health. Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor function, speech, and balance, currently impacts nearly one million people across the United States, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Superior Athletic Club’s new cycling class offers an essential tool for managing…
Klamath County, Ore. – A head-on collision on Highway 97, just north of the California border, claimed the lives of two individuals Monday morning. According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), the crash occurred shortly before 6 a.m. when a Nissan Frontier, driven by 30-year-old Derek Ryan Ford of Colorado, crossed the center line while traveling northbound. The vehicle struck a Dodge Ram 1500 head-on, with the truck, driven by 48-year-old Amy Wilson of Klamath Falls, heading southbound. Both Ford and Wilson were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities currently working…
Medford, OR – The Trump administration has proposed selling several historic federal properties across the country, with a notable inclusion on the list being Medford’s James A. Redden U.S. Courthouse. This building, the only federal courthouse south of Eugene, Oregon, is among more than 400 federal properties flagged by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for potential disposal. According to the GSA’s official website, the initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce government spending by selling off non-essential federal buildings and facilities. The goal is to save taxpayer dollars by unloading properties that are no longer crucial to…
Medford, OR – Oregon lawmakers are pushing for a new 4% tax on the sale of new car tires, aiming to raise up to $20 million annually for public transit, wildlife crossings, and efforts to reduce tire-related pollution. While supporters of the measure say it will provide a stable funding source for critical infrastructure and environmental projects, the proposal has drawn significant opposition from residents across the state. The tax, outlined in House Bill 3362, would apply to new tires for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks, such as delivery vans. State Rep. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, who is sponsoring the bill…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred early Monday morning near SW 6th St and SW M St. The Grants Pass Police Department (GPPD) responded to multiple calls reporting the incident at approximately 2 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to an extremity. First responders quickly transported the injured man to Three Rivers Medical Center. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening. While GPPD officers did not locate the suspect at the scene, the investigation remains ongoing. The police department has received assistance from the Josephine County…
ROGUE VALLEY, Ore. – As part of a nationwide effort to curb speeding-related accidents, multiple local law enforcement agencies in the Rogue Valley are participating in Speed Awareness Month this March. The initiative is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) campaign, Speeding Slows You Down, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding. Throughout the month, local agencies, including the Eagle Point Police Department and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, will have additional officers patrolling the roads with a specific focus on targeting speed violations. The heightened enforcement is designed to remind drivers of the…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A new mobile surveillance trailer, equipped with cameras and a loudspeaker, has been deployed at one of the city’s three designated camping sites for unhoused residents. The trailer, positioned at the corner of NW 6 and A Street, directly across from City Hall, aims to monitor the area, but its presence has raised concerns among those living at the site. The trailer, which features multiple cameras and a loudspeaker, is part of the city’s efforts to regulate its sanctioned camping locations. However, for many residents, the surveillance feels invasive and dehumanizing. Several individuals living in the…
Jackson County, Ore. — Jackson County has officially transitioned to its own Everbridge account this week, rebranding its notification system as Jackson Alerts. This move comes after years of sharing a system with neighboring Josephine County, a practice that began in 2015. In a statement released Monday, the county explained that the switch would provide greater security and more control over the alerting options, features, and alert senders within the system. The decision to separate the two systems was prompted by a shift in Josephine County’s management structure, as the county combined its IT director and emergency manager positions in…