Josephine County, Oregon — Health officials in Josephine County are sounding the alarm as flu cases rise sharply across the region, with hospitalizations increasing and flu activity reaching concerning levels. Public Health officials are urging residents to take immediate precautions to prevent further spread. According to the Josephine County Public Health (JCPH) department, nearly 9% of emergency room visits in the county this flu season have been due to influenza, marking a significant jump from the previous year. This increase in cases has already resulted in higher-than-usual hospitalization rates, prompting public health officials to issue a warning to local residents.…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced a significant settlement with pharmaceutical companies AbbVie and Besins, totaling $9.25 million. The settlement resolves allegations that the companies engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain a monopoly on testosterone replacement gels, thus keeping prices unnecessarily high for consumers, insurance companies, and Medicaid. The core of the case centers around the companies’ use of “sham patent litigation” to block generic alternatives to their testosterone gel products. By preventing competition in the marketplace, AbbVie and Besins were accused of artificially inflating prices, ultimately leading to higher costs for both patients and public health…
Klamath Falls, Ore. — A devastating fire that broke out early Thursday morning, February 27th, has left a local man severely injured and his beloved dog dead. The blaze, which started around 4 a.m., completely destroyed an RV and caused significant damage to the surrounding area. Neighbors reported hearing popping sounds coming from the RV as the fire began to spread. Rushing outside, they were met with the sight of the entire structure engulfed in flames. Raymond, the man inside at the time, managed to escape the fire but suffered severe burns to his face, shoulders, and hands. He was…
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. – A 63-year-old man was arrested on DUII charges Wednesday morning after crashing his vehicle into a fire engine at a local gas station. The incident occurred just before noon at the 76 Gas Station, where an Illinois Valley Fire District engine was refueling. According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Alec James Varney was driving a private vehicle when he collided with the fire truck. Deputies responded to the scene and conducted field sobriety tests on Varney, who was reportedly showing signs of intoxication. Following the tests, Varney was arrested and charged with driving under the…
MEDFORD, Ore. — Nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) returned to work at Providence Medford Medical Center on Thursday, bringing an end to what has now become the longest healthcare workers’ strike in Oregon’s history. The strike, which lasted 46 days, concluded following the ratification of new contracts by over 94% of ONA members across eight Providence hospitals in Oregon. The strike began on January 10th, when ONA and Providence were unable to reach an agreement after protracted negotiations centered on issues such as wages, staffing levels, and healthcare benefits. Tensions escalated during the strike, especially after Providence…
Medford, OR – The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has resumed automatic voter registration after a pause that lasted several months. The program had been halted in October 2024 following the discovery of errors that led to nearly 1,600 individuals being mistakenly registered to vote, despite not providing proof of U.S. citizenship. The issue arose from Oregon’s Motor Voter law, which automatically registers individuals to vote when they apply for or renew a driver’s license or state ID. While the law aims to increase voter participation, it inadvertently impacted non-citizens who are eligible for driver’s licenses in Oregon. Following…
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. – A 63-year-old man was arrested for driving under the influence after crashing into a fire engine at a local gas station on Wednesday, February 26. The incident occurred at approximately 11:47 a.m. at the 76 gas station in Cave Junction, where deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a collision. Upon arrival, they discovered that a car had struck an Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) engine while it was refueling. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the car, identified as Alec Varner, appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants.…
Medford, Ore. — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, in collaboration with State Representative Pam Marsh, is championing House Bill 3644, a new piece of legislation designed to overhaul the state’s homeless shelter system. The bill, introduced this week, seeks to establish consistent standards for shelters across the state and secure crucial funding to sustain shelter programs. Governor Kotek testified before lawmakers on Monday afternoon, outlining the goals of the bill. She explained that the legislation would create a more structured system by implementing uniform shelter program standards and ensuring long-term sustainability through dedicated funding. Currently, Oregon’s homeless shelter system is described…
Medford, OR – The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has unveiled a new set of guidelines aimed at enhancing literacy instruction for middle and high school students. The Adolescent Literacy Framework, which follows a similar framework introduced for elementary school students in 2023, seeks to foster confident and competent readers and writers across grade levels. ODE officials stress the importance of literacy as a foundational skill essential for academic success, regardless of the subject. Angelica Cruz, the department’s Director of Literacy, explained the importance of this shift in focus. “We spend those early years learning to read and then we…
ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – A suspect wanted for attempted murder in Los Angeles County, California, was apprehended earlier this month in Rogue River after evading authorities for more than a year. Darryl Sears, 36, was arrested on February 16, 2025, during a routine traffic stop by the Rogue River Police Department. The arrest stems from a hit-and-run incident that occurred on July 12, 2023, which left a victim with severe injuries. California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators believe the crash was a deliberate act, with Sears intentionally striking the victim and leaving them to die. The incident prompted an immediate search…