Medford, OR – A Klamath Falls man was sentenced to life in federal prison on Friday for kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women, one of whom he locked in a homemade cinder block cell at his home. Negasi Zuberi, 31, was convicted in October of both crimes after a federal jury found him guilty of abducting a woman from Seattle in July 2023. According to investigators, Zuberi posed as an undercover cop to lure the woman, placing her in handcuffs and leg irons while threatening her with a stun gun. He then transported her to his residence in Klamath Falls,…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – The 2025 Oregon legislative session kicks off Tuesday with a heavy focus on the state’s budget, as lawmakers prepare to address significant financial challenges, including a nearly $2 billion transportation deficit. In addition to transportation, Governor Tina Kotek has made large funding requests for housing and homelessness, which will also be a central theme in the upcoming session. During a legislative press event on Thursday, leaders from both major political parties emphasized the importance of affordability for Oregonians as they begin to tackle these budget issues. House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, stated that affordability is the top…
Medford, OR – After a year of negotiations, the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association (PNWHMA) Southern Oregon Providers have successfully secured a first contract for the Providence Medford Emergency Department. The agreement, announced earlier this week, represents a significant achievement for physicians, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and physician assistants (PAs) working in the department. The terms of the new contract include a 20.7% base wage increase for physicians, substantial pay raises for APRNs and PAs, improved shift differentials, and expanded benefits for continuing education and workplace safety. These changes are seen as a significant step forward in recognizing the…
Central Point, OR – Firefighters from Fire District 3 responded to a structure fire on Eric Lane early Saturday morning, January 18. Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) received a 911 call reporting that a bedroom in a local home was on fire, with the source believed to be a wall outlet. Engines 20, 21, and 22 from Fire District 3, along with Battalion Chief 3, were the first on the scene. They were quickly joined by Medford Fire Department’s Engine 14 and Battalion Chief 2. Crews worked swiftly to contain the fire to the bedroom, though significant smoke damage…
Medford, OR – PacifiCorp, which owns Pacific Power, Oregon’s second-largest electric utility, has been offered a loan of up to $3.52 billion by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help finance the construction of 700 miles of new transmission lines. The project will span across Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and California, and is part of a broader initiative by the Biden administration to modernize the country’s power grid. The loan is one of eight major financing offers totaling nearly $23 billion, aimed at reshaping the U.S. energy infrastructure. These loans are designed to enhance grid reliability and facilitate the integration…
Medford, OR – Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced that Oregon is joining a coalition of 13 states in a legal effort to defend health insurance access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The move comes in response to a legal challenge that threatens to undermine the eligibility of DACA recipients to enroll in health care plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Biden administration introduced a rule on November 1, 2024, allowing DACA recipients—commonly referred to as “Dreamers”—to enroll in ACA health plans for the first time. However, the rule has been met with opposition, particularly…
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…
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…