MEDFORD, OR– Nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) have returned to the picket lines at Providence Medford Medical Center, marking the second strike in less than a year. The strike, which began on January 14, 2025, follows over a year of contentious contract negotiations between ONA and Providence Health & Services. The current contract expired in March 2024, and the primary issues fueling the strike include safe staffing levels, employee benefits, and competitive wages. Providence Health & Services has stated that it is prepared to resume negotiations with ONA at six hospital locations across Oregon, including Providence Medford,…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – In her 2025 State of the State address on Monday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek outlined several key initiatives she hopes will define her leadership in the coming year. The Governor focused on a range of pressing issues, including homelessness, mental health and addiction care, education reform, and climate resilience. Kotek’s message emphasized a collaborative effort to tackle these challenges head-on. Homelessness and Housing Governor Kotek began by addressing the ongoing homelessness crisis, stating that by July 2025, actions tied to her homelessness state of emergency are expected to rehouse 3,300 households and prevent another 24,000 households from…
Medford, OR – The Oregon State Fire Marshal continues to provide critical support to California as the state battles the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires. In a recent development, Oregon is sending an additional six strike teams, composed of approximately 70 firefighters from various counties, to assist in the firefighting efforts. These teams will bolster the 15 strike teams that were deployed earlier in the week. The initial wave of strike teams arrived in California on Thursday, and by Friday, they were quickly assigned by CAL FIRE to begin their 24-hour shifts. During these shifts, Oregon firefighters have already made…
Medford, OR – Nurses at Providence Medford Medical Center are on day two of their open-ended strike, continuing their fight for a fair contract. The strike, which began earlier this week, has seen strong turnout from healthcare workers advocating for improved working conditions, better pay, and more support for patient care. Although the number of striking nurses decreased on day two due to the start of the weekend, the atmosphere remained charged with determination. Nurses expressed their commitment to the cause, noting that the community’s support had been overwhelming. “As the days go on, more and more people have come…
Medford, OR – Rogue Valley Medford International Airport (MFR) is working toward enhancing its flight offerings in 2025, with a potential new route to Dallas-Fort Worth in the works. The airport, which serves southern Oregon, is currently in discussions with American Airlines regarding the possibility of launching a direct connection between Medford and Texas’ largest city. The push for the new route is backed by significant financial support. Earlier reports revealed that Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley secured a $600,000 federal grant to help fund the expansion project. This grant is part of a broader strategy to improve MFR’s infrastructure…
Medford, OR – Crews have made significant strides in containing a three-alarm fire that broke out earlier today in the 300 block of Front Street. The blaze, which heavily impacted the Medford Mattress warehouse, is now fully contained to the original building, with firefighters focusing on addressing lingering hot spots. While much of the damage was confined to the warehouse, significant exposure damage was reported at a neighboring business, Buttercloud Bakery. Firefighters remain on-site, working through overhaul operations to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and no further risk exists. Public Works crews are assisting with cleanup, and road closures…
Medford, OR – Rogue Credit Union (RCU), based in Medford, has raised more than $200,000 to support the pediatrics unit at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. The funds, collected throughout the past year, will be directed toward enhancing care in the Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital. In a heartwarming gesture, RCU’s leadership team, accompanied by Wally the Wolf, the mascot for the Rogue Rangers program, visited Asante in December to present a check for the substantial donation. The team also brought along a wagon filled with Wally the Wolf stuffed animals, which were given to children receiving care at the…
Medford, OR – On January 28, Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity will begin accepting applications for its most ambitious project to date: a 12-home affordable housing development located at 1900 Grandview Avenue in East Medford. The development will span nearly 2 acres and will be completed in two phases. The first phase will consist of eight homes, while the second phase will add four more. Each home in the development will be a two-story, three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit designed to provide affordable housing for families in need. Habitat for Humanity has already invested $700,000 in infrastructure, including the construction of streets…
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…
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,…