EAGLE POINT, Ore. — Jim Hamilton, the Chief of Police for the Eagle Point Police Department (EPPD), was recently named Police Chief of the Year by the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police (OACP) at the organization’s annual conference in Pendleton. Hamilton’s nomination for the prestigious award came through strong recommendations from department and city staff, as well as numerous letters of support from members of the local community. The city of Eagle Point expressed its pride in Hamilton’s achievements, noting that he has demonstrated exemplary leadership since taking the helm of the EPPD. “Chief Hamilton is innovative, collaborative, and a…
Author: Sarah Prescott
MEDFORD, Ore. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden joined local educators, parents, and officials on Saturday morning to celebrate a significant victory for the Head Start program in Southern Oregon, as federal funding for the program was preserved. Wyden hailed the outcome as a major triumph but cautioned that the fight to protect early education is far from over. At the gathering, which took place at a Southern Oregon Head Start center, Wyden expressed relief that a potential funding cut, which he described as a “head spinner,” had been averted. The senator credited grassroots advocacy and outreach efforts to federal agencies…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A mother and daughter were arrested in Jackson County on Saturday, April 28, after being accused of passing counterfeit money at several businesses in the Rogue Valley. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) reported that the two women, identified as 42-year-old Samantha Jo Ann O’Neil and 18-year-old Jamie Aileen O’Neil, were taken into custody following an investigation into the use of counterfeit $20 bills in White City. According to JCSO, deputies first received reports on Saturday morning about a woman wearing an orange sweatshirt who was using fake bills at local businesses. Surveillance footage from the…
Medford, Ore. — The Medford Police Department (MPD) recently hosted its annual “Drug Take Back & Rogue Shred” event, providing a valuable service to the local community. Held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the City Hall parking lot at 411 W 8th St, the event ran from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., offering a safe and secure opportunity for residents to dispose of unused prescription medications and shred sensitive documents. Community members were encouraged to bring in outdated or unwanted prescription drugs for proper disposal, ensuring that these potentially harmful substances did not end up in the wrong hands…
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — With wildfire season on the horizon, Jacksonville is taking important steps to reduce wildfire risks within the community. This Saturday, May 3rd, the city will hold a free event to help residents dispose of hazardous yard debris and prepare their properties for the upcoming fire season. From 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, community members are invited to bring dead branches, leaves, pine needles, and other natural vegetation to the D Street parking lot. The event is open to all residents and is entirely free of charge, aimed at supporting efforts to create defensible spaces around homes and…
Medford, OR – As Oregon braces for another potentially devastating wildfire season, state and federal leaders are calling for urgent action to reduce the growing threat. With rising temperatures and increasingly dry conditions, both U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden are emphasizing the need for a coordinated response at all levels, from federal funding to individual property preparedness. Senator Wyden, who represents Oregon in the U.S. Senate, has made wildfire prevention a key priority as he pushes for additional funding in the upcoming federal budget. “We’ve gotta move,” Wyden stated, underscoring the immediate risk posed by…
MEDFORD, Ore. – A former nurse accused of diverting drugs from patients and replacing them with tap water will have her pretrial conference delayed until next month. Dani Schofield, who worked at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, faces serious charges for allegedly diverting fentanyl intended for patients for her personal use, a practice that resulted in health complications for some and led to the death of others. Schofield’s defense counsel filed a motion on Tuesday to continue the pretrial conference to May 28, 2025. According to court documents, the request was made in order to allow both parties…
O’Brien, Ore. — An officer-involved shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon in O’Brien is currently under investigation by the Oregon State Police (OSP), following a confrontation between a deputy and a wanted suspect. According to OSP, the incident unfolded when a deputy with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office located 33-year-old Clinten Anthony Robertson, who had an active felony warrant for his arrest, near the O’Brien Country Store. The deputy attempted to apprehend Robertson, but the suspect reportedly evaded the officer and, in the process, struck the deputy’s vehicle with his own. During the ensuing confrontation, Robertson was struck by gunfire. He was…
Curry County, Or. – Curry County, Oregon, is once again in search of a new county commissioner following the withdrawal of Isaac Hodges from the position. Hodges, the mayor of Brookings, had been set to take over the role after Commissioner Brad Alcorn announced his resignation earlier this month. Alcorn’s resignation is set to take effect on May 1, and Hodges was expected to step into the position on May 2. However, in a surprising turn of events, Hodges informed the county on Friday that he would no longer be assuming the position, leaving the Board of Commissioners with the…
Josephine County, Ore. — Crashes on Interstate 5 are a common occurrence along the busy stretch of road in Southern Oregon, and when drivers find themselves trapped in wrecked vehicles, the clock is ticking. This week, Rural Metro Fire partnered with Goodfellas Towing for their annual extrication training, providing first responders with the hands-on experience necessary to safely and efficiently cut people free from crushed vehicles. The training, which took place at Goodfellas Towing’s location, gave firefighters the opportunity to practice removing doors, roofs, and other parts of vehicles using the heavy tools that are often required in high-stress rescue…