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…
Author: Sarah Prescott
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…
Medford, OR – Thousands of patients across Oregon are facing a significant disruption in their healthcare coverage after Aetna and Providence Health & Services failed to reach a new contract agreement by the January 1 deadline. Among those affected is a 34-year-old mother of two, who is currently battling stomach cancer. The dispute between the insurance company and the healthcare provider has led to a halt in her appointments, medications, and treatment plans, leaving her family worried about her well-being. The crux of the dispute centers on pricing. Aetna claims that Providence is demanding price increases above market rates to…
Medford, OR – Several state parks in Coos County, Oregon, have been closed due to severe weather conditions, including landslides and flooding, following a powerful storm that struck the region. The closures affect Cape Arago State Park, Shore Acres State Park, and Sunset Bay State Park, causing significant disruption to visitors and campers. The most severe damage has occurred at Cape Arago State Park and Shore Acres State Park, where a landslide has rendered Cape Arago Highway impassable. The landslide, which occurred on Friday, has undercut part of the road, preventing vehicle access to both parks. As of now, the…