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…
Author: Sarah Prescott
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…
MEDFORD, Ore. – The Medford community is grappling with concerns over the potential return of a convicted sex offender, former youth pastor Donald Biggs, who was arrested in 2015 for child pornography-related charges. Biggs, who secretly filmed young girls during church events and trips without their consent, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in 2018. However, recent developments have raised alarm among residents, particularly the victims’ families. Kevin Smith, the father of two of Biggs’s victims, revealed that Biggs was initially scheduled for release in 2030, but a change in sentencing guidelines has led to…
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Medford School Board has approved a resolution allowing for exemptions to standard bid requirements, enabling the district to move quickly with the demolition and stabilization of the North Medford High School gym. The decision, made during a special session, comes after the gym’s collapse, which authorities believe was partly caused by heavy snow, although the full cause remains under investigation. Resolution #2025-1 permits the district to bypass typical bidding procedures during the emergency phase of the demolition. The resolution designates Bret Champion and/or Brad Earl as authorized staff members to approve bids and purchases related to…
White City, Ore. — A public town hall meeting will be held in White City on March 8 to discuss the repeal of Oregon’s statewide wildfire hazard map, with local leaders and experts addressing concerns from residents. The meeting will take place just two days before the March 10 appeals deadline, making it a critical opportunity for those opposed to the map to voice their opinions. The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at White Mountain Middle School, located at 550 Wilson Way. Among those attending will be Bob Hart, a retired land consultant who has…
VALLEY FALLS, Ore. – Ranchers in Lake County, Oregon, are grappling with significant challenges this winter as a federally protected wolf, OR158, has begun preying on livestock, raising concerns for both ranchers’ safety and the future of their businesses. The presence of OR158, which was collared by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), marks a new and unsettling chapter for ranchers in the region. Tom Flynn, a rancher at T7 Cattle Ranch, recounted his first encounter with the wolf, describing its large paw prints, which he said were the size of his own hand. After following the tracks,…