Medford, OR — The Oregon State Police (OSP) are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred early Tuesday morning on Interstate 5 near Exit 216, close to the Halsey/Brownsville interchange. The crash took place at approximately 6:32 a.m., when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the highway. Authorities have confirmed that the pedestrian died at the scene, but have not yet released the victim’s identity or disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident. OSP investigators are asking for the public’s help in gathering information related to the crash. They are particularly interested in hearing from motorists…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR — The first night of a critical training exercise for several fire departments in Josephine County got underway on Monday, with firefighters honing their skills in a realistic and challenging environment. The scenario for this year’s training simulates a fire inside a homeless shelter, taking place in a three-story commercial structure. Fire Chief Jimmy Sanchez outlined the exercise, which aims to prepare first responders for the complexities of fighting fires in unique, high-risk settings. Volunteers and mannequins were placed throughout the church building, serving as fake victims, while artificial smoke filled the structure to simulate the disorienting and…
Medford, OR – A high-speed pursuit ended in tragedy on Tuesday morning when a 19-year-old motorcyclist, identified as Chalino Tellez Cortez of Phoenix, was killed after crashing into a semi-truck on Interstate 5. According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), the incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. when a Jackson County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Tellez Cortez speeding northbound on the freeway aboard a Suzuki GSX-R1000. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the motorcyclist refused to pull over and continued at a high rate of speed. The pursuit took a deadly turn when Tellez Cortez collided with the…
Medford, OR — Governor Tina Kotek is urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to extend the public comment period for the proposed Medford casino, citing the importance of allowing more time for stakeholders to provide feedback on the project. In a letter sent late last week, Kotek emphasized that the decision regarding the casino could have far-reaching consequences for Oregon’s communities, economic landscape, and the interests of the state at large. “It is critical to ensure that all stakeholders — including tribal nations, local governments, and residents — have sufficient time to thoughtfully consider the Final Environmental Impact Statement…
Medford, OR – Crews from the Medford Fire Department quickly contained a structure fire early this morning in the 700 block of Broad Street. According to the fire department, the blaze began in an attached storage shed and spread to the nearby house. Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after the fire was reported, and quickly worked to prevent the flames from reaching the main living areas of the home. Thanks to their swift response, the fire was largely contained to the shed and the immediate surrounding area. “Thanks to the quick and effective actions of our firefighters, the fire…
Medford, OR – A 19-year-old Phoenix man died Friday morning in a crash on Interstate 5 near Central Point, following a high-speed pursuit and a collision with a semi-truck. According to Oregon State Police (OSP), the incident began when a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling northbound at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. The driver, later identified as Chalino Tellez Cortez of Phoenix, failed to pull over and continued at a high rate of speed. At around 7:00 a.m., Tellez Cortez’s vehicle struck the trailer of a Peterbilt semi-truck, driven by…
Medford, OR — Emergency crews have successfully contained a two-alarm structure fire in the 1000 block of Rossanley Drive, which broke out earlier today, prompting a full response from multiple fire and emergency services. According to initial reports, the Medford Fire Department, Jackson County Fire District 3, and Jacksonville Fire crews were dispatched to the scene after the fire was first reported. Firefighters worked quickly to control the blaze, taking necessary precautions to protect nearby homes and businesses. As the fire spread, multiple fire and police units were stationed at the scene, while efforts to manage traffic in the area…
Medford, OR — A local man was arrested on Friday afternoon after allegedly assaulting two individuals, one of whom was bitten by the suspect’s dog during the incident. Ronald Cameron Boss Jr., a resident of Cottage Grove, was taken into custody by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office following an alleged altercation on Row River Road. The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. in the 37200 Block of Row River Road, prompting a response from sheriff’s deputies. According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Boss is facing multiple charges, including second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. Authorities said…
Medford, OR — A body was recovered from the Willamette River near the Morrison Bridge on Sunday afternoon, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. River patrol deputies responded to a call around noon after a body was reported floating in the water. Sgt. Bryan White of the sheriff’s office stated that the discovery was made by a passerby who alerted authorities. Portland Fire & Rescue also assisted in the recovery operation, which took place in the river near the bridge, a popular area for both pedestrians and motorists. At this time, the identity of the deceased has not been released,…
Medford, OR – An attempt by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to conduct their first performance evaluation of Administrator Tim Johnson in more than two years ended in confusion and frustration on December 6. Johnson, hired in April 2022 as the county’s first-ever administrator, did not attend the meeting, leaving the session adjourned and the evaluation unresolved. The evaluation, which had been scheduled for a closed-door executive session, was intended to assess Johnson’s performance since his appointment. However, the session quickly became complicated when it was revealed that Johnson had left the office earlier in the week and was…