Grants Pass, OR – The Grants Pass City Council voted Tuesday evening to indefinitely suspend the renovation of the Caveman Pool, a move that reallocated over $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds originally designated for the pool to public safety initiatives. The 50-year-old pool is currently the only public swimming facility in the city. Councilor Dwayne Yunker, one of the proponents of suspending the renovation, expressed concerns about the previous council’s decision to move forward with the multi-million dollar project. He described the decision as “hasty” and argued that alternative ideas and viewpoints had been overlooked during…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR — Firefighters have made significant progress in containing a three-alarm fire that broke out earlier this week in the 300 block of Front Street. The fire, which began at the Medford Mattress warehouse, has been fully contained to the original structure, with only a few remaining hot spots to address. Overhaul operations are ongoing as crews continue their efforts to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. While the bulk of the fire damage was confined to the warehouse, substantial exposure damage was reported at neighboring Buttercloud Bakery. Public Works crews remain on the scene to assist with cleanup,…
Medford, OR – As Los Angeles County grapples with four fast-moving wildfires, Oregon’s fire response teams are mobilizing to provide crucial support. The dangerous fire conditions, exacerbated by 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts, prompted California to request assistance from neighboring states, including Oregon. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) has deployed 15 strike teams from across the state to aid in Southern California, including teams from Jackson County. Local agencies, such as Jackson County Fire District Three, Medford Fire Department, and Ashland Fire and Rescue (AFR), have sent personnel and equipment to assist with firefighting efforts. AFR, in particular, is dispatching…
Medford, OR — A new chapter in Medford’s leadership began on Wednesday night as Michael Zarosinski was sworn in as the city’s new mayor, succeeding Randy Sparacino, who presided over the ceremony. The event also marked the swearing-in of new city council members, with a focus on addressing key community concerns. Former Mayor Sparacino, who served his final minutes in office as both the outgoing mayor and Jackson County commissioner, introduced Zarosinski as the new mayor. Zarosinski, who previously served on the Medford City Council and its planning committee, expressed his gratitude and readiness to take on the responsibilities of…
Medford, OR – A 29-year-old Medford man, Anthony James Parker, was arrested last week after being found with two underage girls in his car at a rest area in Grants Pass. Parker now faces over thirty charges, including sex abuse and related offenses. According to court records, Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers approached Parker’s vehicle at the Manzanita rest area on Thursday morning. Inside the car were two girls, aged 16 and 17. Initially, both girls claimed Parker was their brother, but further investigation revealed this statement was false. Upon contacting the parents of the two girls, discrepancies in their…
Medford, OR – In recognition of January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is taking proactive steps to educate the public on the importance of identifying and responding to human trafficking. With a goal to empower residents and raise awareness, ODOT is emphasizing the role of transportation systems in the operation of human trafficking networks. According to ODOT, Oregon saw 132 human trafficking cases in 2023, involving 248 victims. The department is working alongside other transportation agencies to combat this issue by raising awareness, sharing data, and educating the public on how to recognize signs…
Medford, OR – A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to block the construction of a tribal-owned casino in Medford, Oregon. The legal challenge, filed last month by several local tribes, was aimed at stopping the Coquille Tribe’s plans for a casino, arguing that the project was unconstitutional due to a lack of consultation with impacted tribes. The suit was brought by the Cow Creek Tribe of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Karuk Tribe of Siskiyou County, and the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation from Del Norte County. The plaintiffs argued that the Coquille Tribe’s casino would cause significant…
Medford, OR – Oregon Congresswoman Val Hoyle, who was sworn into her second term on Friday, has expressed a neutral position on the controversial proposal for a casino in Medford by the Coquille tribe. The tribe, which operates in Coos County, is seeking to establish a casino in Medford as part of its strategy for long-term financial stability. However, the proposal has sparked opposition from the Cow Creek tribe, based in Roseburg, due to concerns over the potential impact on its own 7 Feathers Casino in Canyonville. Hoyle, who represents Oregon’s 4th district, which includes land for both the Coquille…
Medford, OR — Negasi Zuberi, the man convicted in a high-profile kidnapping case involving a sex worker in Seattle, has opted to waive his right to legal counsel and will represent himself at his sentencing later this month, according to court documents. Zuberi, 30, faces a potential life sentence after being found guilty of kidnapping a woman in Seattle in July 2023. Authorities say Zuberi lured the woman under the guise of offering work, before assaulting and raping her. He then transported her to Klamath Falls, where he confined her in a makeshift cell in the garage of his home…
Medford, OR – Oregon is facing growing concerns as the state grapples with its flu season, following the confirmation of two pediatric influenza deaths in December. The deaths, which are the first reported this season, have highlighted the severity of the current outbreak, with health officials emphasizing that more people are contracting Influenza A, a strain known for its intensity, rather than the typically milder Influenza B. Dr. Paul Cieslak, an expert in infectious diseases, explained that this flu season appears to be more severe than usual, particularly for young children. “It’s more common for very young children to be…