MEDFORD, Ore. — All off-pavement areas of the Bear Creek Greenway will close beginning June 1 as Jackson County prepares for the 2025 fire season. The closure, announced by Jackson County Roads and Parks, is aimed at reducing the risk of wildfire along the popular recreational corridor. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) declared last week that fire season will officially begin June 1 for Jackson and Josephine counties. In response, county officials are implementing preventative measures, including limiting access to areas of the Greenway that pose heightened fire danger. “We want folks to use the trail for biking, walking, running,…
Author: Sarah Prescott
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Medford School Board is delaying approval of the district’s budget for the upcoming school year as state funding levels remain unclear, raising concerns about financial planning just weeks before the July 1 fiscal year begins. While district officials say they are not currently expecting a significant budget shortfall, the uncertainty surrounding Oregon’s general fund has created complications in finalizing financial plans. Brad Earl, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Medford School District, said recent projections from state economists indicate a $750 million drop in expected state revenue — a development that could have widespread implications for public…
MEDFORD, Ore. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) held his annual Jackson County town hall on Sunday, drawing a crowd of approximately 200 constituents to discuss a range of pressing political and social issues. The event, part of Wyden’s longstanding tradition of holding open forums in each of Oregon’s 36 counties, was marked by both robust discussion and moments of tension. The senator used the platform to emphasize his positions on lowering medical costs, resisting Republican-led economic policies, and supporting local food systems. He also encouraged increased civic engagement and political organization at the grassroots level. However, for the second…
Medford, Ore. — The Medford School Board welcomed its newly elected members during Tuesday night’s meeting, offering a preview of the district’s future leadership. Although they won’t officially take office until July, Angela Zbikowski and Erik Johnsen attended the session and emphasized a shared vision focused on collaboration, students, and rebuilding community trust. “This is really a chance for us to turn over a new leaf, refocus on our students, and accomplish some great things,” said Zbikowski, speaking during the meeting. Johnsen echoed her sentiment, stressing the importance of unity among board members. “If we can’t work as a team,…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A standoff in a residential neighborhood in Grants Pass ended Wednesday morning with the arrest of a felony suspect who had been hiding in a crawlspace for several hours. At approximately 10 a.m., the Grants Pass 9-1-1 center received a call reporting a violent disturbance at a residence on NE 8th Street. A female victim told dispatchers that a man had threatened her life with a knife, attempted to stab her, and sprayed her with bear spray before fleeing the scene on foot. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Barney Clem, was last seen wearing a bright…
Neskowin, Ore. — Federal officials are investigating a disturbing case of animal cruelty after a baby elephant seal was found stabbed multiple times on a beach in Neskowin, a small coastal town along Oregon’s Pacific shoreline. The incident, which took place in March, left the young seal with several stab wounds, but fortunately, it survived the attack. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the seal, which was discovered in a secluded cove, has since shown signs of recovery. NOAA’s marine stranding team relocated the seal to a quieter beach in Washington state last month, where it continued…
MERLIN, Ore. — Rural Metro Firefighters responded to a fire at an industrial building on Merlin Avenue on May 5, only to uncover an illegal marijuana grow operation. Upon extinguishing the flames, authorities discovered more than 1,300 marijuana plants inside the building. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that the blaze was caused by tampering with the building’s electrical system, which had been altered to illegally power the grow site. State Fire Marshals conducted an investigation into the fire’s cause, determining that the electrical modifications were unsafe and contributed directly to the fire. In total, the operation resulted in…
Medford, Ore. – A 38-year-old man is in custody after a shooting left another man critically injured Wednesday afternoon near the Bear Creek Greenway. Authorities report that the incident unfolded near 8th Street, where officers responded to multiple calls about the altercation. Upon arrival, Medford Police found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Medford Fire personnel and Mercy Flights medics quickly provided life-saving measures before the victim was transported to a local hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, the victim was later airlifted to a hospital in Portland, where he remains in critical condition. Witnesses at the scene…
ASHLAND, Ore. — The Second Annual Southern Oregon Human Trafficking Disrupters Summit kicked off on May 8 at the Ashland Hills Hotel, bringing together local agencies, experts, and advocates to address one of the region’s most pressing issues: human trafficking. This year’s summit, which runs through May 10, is highlighting the need for increased awareness and action, particularly regarding the exploitation of vulnerable youth. The two-day seminar, organized by Ride My Road, has a renewed focus on teen prevention, with special attention given to the ways children in the foster care system are at risk, and how online platforms have…
ASHLAND, Ore. – The City of Ashland, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, announced that controlled burns will take place from Thursday, May 8th, through Saturday, May 10th. The strategic burns are part of ongoing efforts to improve community wildfire safety and watershed protection. The burns will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday and continue throughout the weekend, with several areas around the city impacted by smoke. Areas expected to experience smoke include Lithia Park, Strawberry Lane, the downtown area, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods, extending to Ashland Creek and Bear Creek. Additionally, trails…