GRANTS PASS, Ore. – A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection to the death of 57-year-old Roy Harvey, who died after being repeatedly struck with a shovel in a violent attack last month. The arrest was made on Sunday, April 13, at the Robertson Bridge Boat Landing in Josephine County. According to court documents, Harvey was discovered on March 4 along Rogue River Highway with severe head trauma. He was immediately transported to a medical facility but ultimately succumbed to his injuries on March 26. Investigators from the Major Crimes Unit quickly identified James Ross as the suspect in…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, Ore. – The University of Oregon has filed a lawsuit against former assistant football coach Carlos Locklyn after he abruptly left his position as running backs coach in April 2024, just two months after signing a two-year contract with the Ducks. The university is seeking $400,000 from Locklyn, which it claims is the amount stipulated in his contract for breaching the agreement. Locklyn, who had previously served two seasons with the Ducks under head coach Dan Lanning, was hired in February 2024 to remain with the team for two more years. However, in April 2024, he left for a…
MEDFORD, Ore. – The Medford Police Department announced Wednesday evening that Crater Lake Avenue will be closed for an extended period of time between Alpine Court and Temple Drive due to a serious crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. The crash, which occurred earlier in the evening, resulted in the motorcyclist sustaining serious injuries. Emergency responders transported the individual to the hospital for treatment. In response to the incident, the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) team has been dispatched to investigate the crash. The team is working to determine the exact cause of the collision, though details remain limited…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – A Jacksonville man has been arrested on multiple charges after allegedly using Snapchat to attempt to lure a minor into a sexual encounter. Anthony Wheeler, 39, was taken into custody on March 26 following an undercover investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Wheeler has been charged with four offenses, including first-degree and second-degree online sexual corruption of a child, as well as two counts of luring a minor. He appeared in court for a pre-trial conference on Monday, April 14, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The investigation, which led to Wheeler’s arrest,…
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Medford Fire Department (MFD) responded to a structure fire at the Medford Plaza Apartments on Tuesday, April 15. Firefighters arrived at the scene and swiftly contained the blaze, which was isolated to a laundry room appliance within the building. According to MFD, the fire was reported early in the afternoon and was quickly brought under control, preventing any further damage to the structure. Authorities confirmed that the fire did not spread beyond the laundry room area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all residents were safely evacuated as a precaution. The cause of the fire remains…
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — Fire agencies from across Southern Oregon and Northern California convened at the Jackson County Expo for their annual conference, where they shared insights, discussed new technologies, and strengthened partnerships ahead of the fire season. The event provided an opportunity for experts and first responders to collaborate, prepare for the challenges of the upcoming year, and ensure that they are equipped with the latest firefighting tools and strategies. The conference is an annual tradition for agencies in the region, offering a platform to review the previous fire season, identify areas for improvement, and discuss innovations in firefighting…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A significant blow to Grants Pass’ plans for a new water treatment facility has been dealt after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unexpectedly canceled a crucial $50 million grant. The funding, part of FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, had been awarded to the city to help replace its aging, vulnerable water treatment plant. The cancellation, announced nationwide by FEMA, affects all pending BRIC grant applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023. The agency characterized the program as “wasteful and ineffective,” prompting the termination of the pending applications, including Grants Pass’. The decision has left…
Medford, Ore. – Oregon State University (OSU) is currently investigating the sudden revocation of visas for more than a dozen international students, a move initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On April 10, OSU officials informed students and staff that a number of international students had been impacted by the abrupt cancellation of their visas. The university later confirmed that 13 students had their records terminated in the federal immigration database without warning or prior notice. OSU administrators expressed concern over the DHS’s actions, which have disrupted the lives of international students who depend on their visas…
Medford, OR – The Oregon House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at expanding access to HIV prevention medication across the state. On Monday, lawmakers approved House Bill 2942, which would ensure that both pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are reimbursed by the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). The bill, which received bipartisan support, is co-sponsored by Rep. Travis Nelson, a Democrat representing North and Northeast Portland, and Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a Republican from Tillamook. The legislation is seen as a significant step toward improving public health efforts and reducing the spread of HIV in Oregon. Rep. Nelson,…
Eagle Point, Oregon – A major drug bust in Eagle Point led to the arrest of two individuals after an extensive two-month investigation into cocaine distribution. The Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE), with support from the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), executed the operation on April 3rd, following multiple community complaints about suspected drug activity in the area. During the search of a residence on Ponderosa Way, authorities uncovered significant evidence of drug trafficking, seizing over 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms—including several “ghost guns”—and approximately $48,000 in cash. Additionally, four vehicles and a motorcycle were…