MEDFORD, Ore. – The City of Medford’s Housing and Community Development Division (HCD) held a community listening session on Thursday to gather public feedback on the development of its five-year Consolidated Plan. The session, which took place at noon, is part of an ongoing effort to identify the community’s most pressing needs and priorities as the city works to allocate funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a recipient of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Medford is required to create the Consolidated Plan, which serves as a roadmap for the distribution of federal funds…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Klamath County, Ore. — Oregon State Police are currently investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred near Collier Park, located north of Chiloquin, on December 23, 2024. The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation, as authorities work to gather details surrounding the event. In a Facebook post, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the deputies involved in the shooting are on administrative leave, a standard procedure while the investigation is underway. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the leave is temporary and remains in effect until the inquiry is concluded. Details surrounding the shooting are sparse, as the investigation remains in…
MEDFORD, Ore. – State Senator Jeff Golden will hold his first town hall of the year in Medford on Thursday, January 18, offering local residents an opportunity to discuss key issues expected to take center stage in the upcoming legislative session. The town hall will take place at the Jackson County Library System’s Medford branch, in the Adams Room, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Golden plans to preview several legislative priorities for the new year while also inviting community members to voice their opinions and concerns on these topics. Golden has made a habit of hosting town halls to keep…
ASHLAND, Ore. – Following a recent child exploitation arrest in Ashland, local law enforcement officials have provided insight into the intricate process involved in such cases. Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara explained the collaborative efforts that go into identifying and investigating suspected exploitation, emphasizing the complex nature of these investigations. According to Chief O’Meara, law enforcement agencies, both domestically and internationally, work together to identify potential child exploitation cases. The process begins when local police are notified of a possible incident. From there, investigators issue a warrant to seize any media devices that may be involved in the exploitation. One…
Medford, OR – More than 40 members of Congress, including Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, have filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to revive the landmark climate lawsuit, Juliana v. United States. The lawsuit, filed nearly a decade ago by 21 young Americans, argues that the federal government’s continued support for fossil fuel production and its failure to address the worst effects of climate change violate the constitutional right of the plaintiffs, including 11 Oregonians, to a livable environment. Merkley and Wyden, along with other Democratic lawmakers and independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, have expressed…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A new program designed to assist businesses in Jackson County affected by the 2020 Labor Day fires is set to launch, offering a unique approach to economic recovery. The PIER (Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization) Program is the first of its kind in Oregon, focusing on economic revitalization as a method of disaster recovery. The program, which has been years in the making, will provide grants and loans to businesses in Jackson County to help them rebuild. Businesses affected by the fires can apply for grants of up to $15,000, while microenterprises are eligible for loans…
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A school bus accident occurred this morning on Richey Road near West Gregory Road in rural Central Point. The incident, reported at approximately 7:50 a.m., involved deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and firefighters from Jackson County Fire District 3. According to the JCSO, one student sustained minor injuries in the crash and was transported to a local hospital in Medford for treatment. No other injuries were reported among the bus’s occupants, who were primarily children on their way to school. Preliminary investigations suggest that dense fog and icy road conditions contributed to the…
Medford, OR – Hillcrest Road, located between Foothill Road and Urano Lane, is closed to through traffic from January 14 through March 9, as part of a significant road reconstruction project. The closure will also facilitate the installation of a new storm drainage system, which aims to improve infrastructure in the area. During the closure, drivers will be directed to detour routes via North Phoenix Road and Stanford Road. Access to local businesses along Hillcrest Road will remain open and will be clearly marked with signage throughout the construction period. Motorists are advised to anticipate delays, particularly during peak travel…
Medford, Ore. – Southern Oregon University (SOU) is playing an integral role in the development of a new wildlife crossing that will be built through the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, just south of Ashland. The project, which is funded by federal resources, aims to improve wildlife movement across a busy stretch of the I-5 highway, specifically near the Siskiyou Summit. The wildlife crossing, set to be completed between late 2028 and early 2029, is part of a broader initiative to mitigate the dangers wildlife face when attempting to cross highways in the region. SOU’s involvement has been key, with 14 undergraduate…
MEDFORD, Ore. – Firefighters from the Rogue Valley are currently working tirelessly to combat the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, as part of a specialized strike team. This team, made up of 20 firefighters and five fire engines, represents several local fire districts, including the Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD), Medford Fire, Ashland Fire and Rescue, Jackson County Fire District 3, and Chiloquin Fire and Rescue. The team, which began its third 24-hour shift on Tuesday, is focused on the fires in the Topanga Canyon area. With the fire already stretching over 23,000 acres, the Rogue Valley firefighters…