EUGENE, Ore. – A Eugene man was sentenced to more than 36 years in prison for child pornography charges, according to court documents released on February 20. Paul David Howard, 53, was convicted on four counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct. He was sentenced to 435 months in prison, followed by three years of post-prison supervision. Howard was initially facing 19 charges related to child sex abuse following a secret indictment in July 2024. However, he reached a plea agreement, admitting guilt to the four charges, and the remaining 15 charges were dismissed. The…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Lakeview, Ore. – The Lake County Board of Commissioners has officially declared a Public Safety and Livestock Emergency as of February 18, 2025, in response to ongoing concerns over Wolf OR158’s impact on local livestock and public safety. According to Lake County officials, Wolf OR158, a lone wolf that has traveled across Oregon and into California, has become a significant threat to the region’s cattle industry. The wolf has been linked to the deaths of five confirmed calves and three probable kills in less than ten days. These incidents are particularly troubling, as the county’s cattle operations are currently in…
Lakeview, OR – Oregon State Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a juvenile in Lakeview. Authorities arrested Amanda Edwards, 38, and her boyfriend Nathaniel Cullins, 31, in connection to the tragic incident. Both individuals face multiple serious charges, including Criminally Negligent Homicide, Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree, Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Cullins is also charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The case began to unfold when police responded to reports of a juvenile’s death under suspicious circumstances. Investigators, after conducting a thorough inquiry, believe the juvenile’s…
LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Authorities in Lake County have launched a death investigation following the death of a juvenile in Lakeview. The incident, which took place Tuesday in the 300 block of South G Street, has prompted the involvement of the Lake County Major Crime Team. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation is being led by the Oregon State Police (OSP), with additional support from local law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office. While details remain scarce at this time, officials have assured the public that there is no threat to the community. The Lake County Major Crime…
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. — An investigation is currently underway following a large vehicle fire that broke out Tuesday evening in Cave Junction. The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. after receiving reports of a potential structure fire in the 200 block of Pinewood Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that an RV was fully engulfed in flames. Crews immediately took action to suppress the fire, successfully containing it before it could spread further. Despite their efforts, the RV was completely destroyed in the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as officials work…
Medford, OR – As Oregon’s 83rd Legislative Assembly enters its long session, hundreds of bills have been introduced, including those addressing contentious issues surrounding immigration and agriculture. These proposed laws have sparked debate across the state, drawing attention to Oregon’s sanctuary policies and the state’s agricultural practices. Immigration Legislation Targets Sanctuary Status Among the most closely watched immigration-related bills are those that challenge Oregon’s sanctuary status. Oregon has long maintained policies that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. However, two bills now making their way through the legislature aim to change that stance. Senate Bill 11, introduced…
MEDFORD, Ore. – Striking nurses at Providence Medford Medical Center are facing a looming deadline, as the healthcare provider plans to cut health benefits for 5,000 striking nurses across eight Oregon hospitals. The benefits are set to expire in just 10 days, leaving many workers worried about how they will manage their healthcare needs. Jennifer Smith, a registered nurse at Providence Medford, spoke out about the impact this will have on her and her colleagues. She revealed that some nurses are already seeking alternative employment to secure health insurance, while others are turning to the Oregon Health Plan as a…
Medford, OR – Pacific Power is nearing the completion of an ambitious infrastructure upgrade project in the Mt. Shasta area, which began in 2021. The initiative aims to reduce the risk of equipment-related wildfires while improving service reliability for local residents. As part of the project, the utility company replaced 46 miles of power lines with covered conductor cables in 2024. Covered conductor technology helps mitigate wildfire risks by reducing the likelihood of sparks caused by interference with power lines, such as contact with trees, animals, or debris. Simon Gutierrez, Senior Communications Specialist with Pacific Power, explained that the new…
Jackson County, Ore. — Jesse Rex Orndoff, a former teacher at Rogue River Junior/Senior High School, entered a not guilty plea Tuesday during his arraignment in Jackson County Circuit Court. Orndoff is facing ten felony charges, including second-degree sexual abuse, third-degree rape, and third-degree sodomy, stemming from alleged incidents that occurred between 2013 and 2015 when the victim was a student at the school. The charges arose after a woman came forward on February 13, claiming she had been sexually abused by Orndoff, who was her teacher and coach at the time. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the…
Medford, OR – In a sweeping move to reduce the size of the federal government, the Trump administration has abruptly terminated the employment of approximately 4,400 U.S. National Parks and Forest Service workers across the country. The layoffs, which have taken place over the past several days, have affected employees in states such as Oregon and Washington, leaving many shocked and struggling to adjust. Among those impacted is Liz Crandall, who worked as a permanent field ranger in the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon since November 2023. Having spent seven years working seasonally for the Forest Service prior to securing…