JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — As February draws near, the newest recruits of Rural Metro Fire are nearing the end of their rigorous training program, preparing for their graduation and future careers as firefighters. These dedicated men and women are pushing through challenging drills and real-world simulations designed to hone their skills and prepare them for the unpredictable nature of emergency response. The recruits are part of the Rogue Valley Interagency Training Academy, where they spend their weekends attending classroom sessions before heading back to the fire station for hands-on exercises with seasoned firefighters. This combination of theoretical learning and practical…
Author: Sarah Prescott
EUGENE, Ore. — The Eugene Police Department and Animal Services are asking for the public’s help following a violent dog attack that left a woman with serious injuries on January 11. According to authorities, the incident occurred just after noon near the 2500 block of Tyler Street. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was walking in the area when she was attacked by two dogs. Police say the first dog, a Rottweiler mix, jumped on the woman’s back, biting her right shoulder and causing her to fall to the ground. While on the ground, the Rottweiler severely bit…
In a special legislative session held on Thursday, the Oregon Legislature approved a $218 million funding allocation to assist the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office in paying vendors who supported firefighting efforts during the state’s record-breaking wildfire season. The bill was passed overwhelmingly, with the Senate approving it 25-2 and the House following shortly after with a 42-2 vote, though 15 lawmakers were excused. The allocation comes after a summer of intense wildfires that burned 1.9 million acres of land, more than any other fire season on record for the state. The fires,…
Medford, Ore. — The cities of Ashland and Medford are actively engaging the public in a conversation about the economic opportunities and challenges facing the Rogue Valley. Both cities are encouraging residents and business owners to participate in a community survey that will inform an important Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA). The EOA, a key component in long-term planning for the region, will assess the current economic landscape and provide forecasts for growth over the next two decades. The analysis will help local governments make data-driven decisions about how to best utilize available land, attract businesses, and create job opportunities. The…
Medford, OR – Controlled pile burning is currently underway in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, as part of ongoing forest management efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risk. The Forest Service announced that the burns are taking place in the Palmer Creek area and along the Chetco River, near Nook and Redwood Bar. The burning process involves carefully setting fire to small, pre-accumulated piles of debris and vegetation, which helps clear excess fuel from the forest floor. This step is critical for preventing larger, uncontrolled wildfires in the future by reducing the amount of flammable material available. The Forest Service has…
EAGLE POINT, Ore. — In an effort to promote safer driving practices and reduce fatalities, the Eagle Point Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies in Southern Oregon, is conducting an education enforcement period focused on safety belt and child restraint laws. The initiative, which began on January 27 and will run through February 9, aims to inform the public about the critical importance of seat belt use and proper child car seat safety. The education period, made possible through federally funded enforcement hours, is designed to raise awareness about the laws governing seat belt and child seat use.…
LAKEVIEW, Ore. — Authorities are actively searching for 39-year-old Donald Jones, an inmate with the Oregon Department of Corrections, who walked away from a work crew in Lakeview early this morning. The incident occurred at approximately 7:36 a.m., according to a news release issued by the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC). Jones, described as a white male weighing approximately 275 pounds and standing around 6 feet tall, has blue eyes and brown hair. He had been incarcerated at the Warner Creek Correctional Facility, a minimum-security prison in Lakeview, which houses around 486 inmates nearing their release dates. Jones was serving…
MEDFORD, Ore. – The Medford Police Department (MPD) is currently investigating a serious crash involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist near the intersection of West Jackson Street and North Columbus Avenue. According to a Facebook post from the MPD, emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the scene following the collision. While details surrounding the incident remain limited at this time, authorities are actively working to determine the circumstances of the crash. In response to the ongoing investigation, traffic is being diverted around the affected area, and drivers are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid congestion. Officers are asking…
Medford, Ore. – New research has uncovered a massive aquifer hidden beneath the snow-covered peaks of the Oregon Cascades, revealing an unexpectedly large source of groundwater that could have significant implications for the region’s water future. For decades, scientists knew of an aquifer in the Santiam Pass area, nestled between Eugene and Bend. However, recent research has revealed that this underground water reserve is far larger than previously imagined. Researchers now estimate the aquifer’s capacity to be nearly three times that of Lake Mead, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, which spans parts of Nevada and Arizona.…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Early Friday morning, at precisely 12 a.m., the City of Grants Pass began the process of permanently closing the J Street site, which had been home to over 200 unhoused individuals. By 9 a.m., people were seen walking away from the site for the final time, as the city took steps to restrict access to the area, with anyone who enters now subject to citation or arrest for criminal trespass. The closure comes as part of a decision by the newly elected Grants Pass City Council, which voted to shut down the J Street location and…