Medford, OR — A Klamath Falls woman has been arrested for allegedly shooting her boyfriend and fabricating a robbery story to mislead authorities. On December 29, police responded to a report of a shooting after a third-party caller alerted them to the incident around 8:30 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found the victim with gunshot wounds. The victim, who has not been named, initially claimed to police that he had been shot during an attempted robbery. However, as detectives continued their investigation, they uncovered discrepancies in the man’s account of the events. After further inquiry, it was revealed that the shooting…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – The northbound lanes of Highway 101 near Coos Bay are currently closed due to flooding, according to an alert from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The high water is affecting the section of highway near the intersection with Elrod Avenue, approximately at milepost 238.5. ODOT has confirmed that crews are actively working to manage the situation, though the flooding is expected to persist until the water recedes. The department has cautioned travelers that high tide, which occurs at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, may exacerbate the flooding. Motorists are urged to drive slowly and be prepared for delays…
Medford, OR – Rural Metro Firefighters had a busy start to 2025, responding to a total of nine emergency calls on New Year’s Day. The calls varied in nature, ranging from medical emergencies to vehicle crashes and even a fire caused by a candle. Among the vehicle incidents, one involved a car that landed vertically in a ditch. Fortunately, the driver was able to escape without injury. The department also responded to four other vehicle accidents on the same day. In addition to these crashes, a fire broke out in Merlin when a candle ignited a paper towel roll. Fortunately,…
Medford, OR – Rogue Retreat, a non-profit organization based in Medford, has officially taken over the operation of Ashland’s severe weather shelter for the winter season. The shelter, located at 2200 Ashland St., will remain open for 90 consecutive days from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., providing a safe space for individuals in need of warmth and shelter. Rogue Retreat’s Executive Director, Sam Engle, noted that as the weather turns colder and wetter, the organization expects more individuals to seek refuge at the shelter. “We’re expecting as the word on the street gets out and as the weather potentially gets…
Medford, OR – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office announced a successful New Year’s Eve DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) patrol operation, reporting a significant number of traffic stops and arrests while ensuring public safety on the roads. Throughout the night, deputies made approximately 200 traffic stops, which resulted in 21 DUII arrests. In addition to the arrests, only one minor crash was reported. Notably, the driver at fault in the incident was also arrested for DUII. Deputy Aaron Grissom, a patrol officer with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, expressed satisfaction with the results of the operation. “It was…
Medford, OR – Oregon is ushering in several new laws in 2025, covering a range of topics from environmental sustainability to public safety. Among the most notable changes are a ban on Styrofoam containers, new regulations on public transportation, and expanded rights for consumers to repair their own electronic devices. Styrofoam Ban Targets Environmental Impact One of the most anticipated changes is Oregon’s Styrofoam ban, which went into effect this year. Approved by the legislature in 2023, the law prohibits restaurants, food trucks, and other food service businesses from using Styrofoam containers. This ban aims to reduce the state’s environmental…
Medford, OR – All lanes of Highway 97 just north of Chiloquin in Klamath County are closed following a crash that occurred Wednesday night. The incident took place at milepost 234, approximately 21 miles south of the intersection with Highway 138. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there is no estimated time for the highway to reopen, and drivers in the area are advised to expect long delays. ODOT also confirmed that there are no local detours available for motorists traveling through the region. Authorities are working to clear the scene, and updates will be provided as more…
Medford, OR – A man wanted by authorities in Josephine County, Oregon, since 2019 has been arrested in Cambodia, where he had been evading capture for several years. Shawn Higbee, 48, is facing charges of first-degree sodomy. According to a statement from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, an arrest warrant for Higbee had been outstanding since 2019, but he had managed to remain at large. Law enforcement officials, however, were able to track his whereabouts after an analyst discovered that Higbee had fled to Cambodia, where he had been living for an extended period. The Sheriff’s Office stated that through…
Medford, OR – After evading authorities for several years, fugitive Shawn Christian Higbee has been apprehended in Cambodia, bringing an end to a lengthy and complex manhunt. Higbee, who was born on May 29, 1983, had been a wanted man since 2019, when an arrest warrant was issued in Josephine County, Oregon, on charges of Sodomy 1. Despite efforts by local law enforcement to track him down, Higbee managed to elude capture, reportedly fleeing the United States shortly after the warrant was issued. For years, his whereabouts remained a mystery, frustrating authorities and leaving the case unsolved. However, in recent…
Medford, OR – Oregon has officially become the third state in the nation to mandate the divestment from coal companies, following the passage of House Bill 4083. The bill, which passed with significant support from environmental organizations like Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, requires the Oregon Investment Council to divest from publicly traded coal companies, signaling the state’s continued commitment to addressing climate change. The bill’s passage was heralded as a pivotal step in aligning Oregon’s financial practices with its broader environmental goals. Alan Journet, co-facilitator of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, testified in favor of the bill, stressing the…