Medford, OR — A 31-year-old man has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of local resident Tim Ayers, who was found dead in his Klamath Falls home this past summer. Steven Villanpando was indicted Thursday by a grand jury following a thorough investigation conducted by the Klamath Falls Police Department. Villanpando faces several charges in addition to first-degree murder, including first-degree burglary, first-degree theft, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The investigation began on the morning of August 8, when officers responded to a welfare check at 3201 Quarry Street after receiving…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Grants Pass, OR – The Grants Pass Police Department (GPPD) is investigating a shooting that took place Wednesday night around 9:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Rogue River Highway. According to GPPD, officers responded to the scene and found multiple bullet casings scattered across the parking lot of an apartment complex. However, the suspect had fled the area before authorities arrived. The shooting reportedly involved multiple rounds fired at occupied apartments, though fortunately, no one was injured. Police have not yet released details on any potential suspects but have indicated that the individuals involved are considered “armed and dangerous.”…
Medford, OR – Josephine County Commissioner John West appears set to be recalled after preliminary results from a special election showed more than 62% of voters in favor of the recall. The final results are expected to be certified by January 13th, which will confirm the outcome and trigger the next steps in the process. If the recall is certified, West will be removed from office, and his seat will remain vacant until a new commissioner is appointed. The appointment will be made by the two incoming commissioners, Chris Barnett and Ron Smith, who will take office next month. Barnett…
Medford, OR — A group of dirt bikers who became lost and stranded on a trail near Jacksonville were safely rescued Sunday evening, thanks to quick action by local authorities. According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), the riders had been traversing John’s Peak when they encountered trouble. Their dirt bike broke down, and they soon found themselves disoriented and unprepared for the cold, wet conditions. The riders, who were not dressed for the weather and had no food or water, contacted authorities as their cell phones were rapidly losing battery. In the report, the…
Medford, OR – A Medford School District (MSD) board member, Michael Williams, will not face criminal charges after an investigation into his carrying a knife on school grounds. However, the district has stated that his actions still violated school policies, which prohibit weapons on campus. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office (JCDA) confirmed Monday that it would not be filing charges against Williams, who had been the subject of a criminal complaint regarding his actions in October. According to the complaint, Williams had been seen wearing a sheathed knife on his belt during school board meetings and while at MSD…
Medford, OR — In the wake of a recent school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, the Medford School District is ramping up efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff. District officials have reached out to all local school principals, stressing the importance of communication, preparedness, and consistency in maintaining a secure learning environment. Ron Havniear, the Director of Security for Medford Schools, emphasized that an effective emergency response requires a coordinated effort from everyone involved. “No one person can command the effective response,” Havniear said. “It’s going to take the entire team being able to think in the moment…
Medford, OR — The Oregon State Police (OSP) are investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred early Tuesday morning on Interstate 5 near Exit 216, close to the Halsey/Brownsville interchange. The crash took place at approximately 6:32 a.m., when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the highway. Authorities have confirmed that the pedestrian died at the scene, but have not yet released the victim’s identity or disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident. OSP investigators are asking for the public’s help in gathering information related to the crash. They are particularly interested in hearing from motorists…
Medford, OR — The first night of a critical training exercise for several fire departments in Josephine County got underway on Monday, with firefighters honing their skills in a realistic and challenging environment. The scenario for this year’s training simulates a fire inside a homeless shelter, taking place in a three-story commercial structure. Fire Chief Jimmy Sanchez outlined the exercise, which aims to prepare first responders for the complexities of fighting fires in unique, high-risk settings. Volunteers and mannequins were placed throughout the church building, serving as fake victims, while artificial smoke filled the structure to simulate the disorienting and…
Medford, OR – A high-speed pursuit ended in tragedy on Tuesday morning when a 19-year-old motorcyclist, identified as Chalino Tellez Cortez of Phoenix, was killed after crashing into a semi-truck on Interstate 5. According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), the incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. when a Jackson County Sheriff’s deputy spotted Tellez Cortez speeding northbound on the freeway aboard a Suzuki GSX-R1000. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the motorcyclist refused to pull over and continued at a high rate of speed. The pursuit took a deadly turn when Tellez Cortez collided with the…
Medford, OR — Governor Tina Kotek is urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to extend the public comment period for the proposed Medford casino, citing the importance of allowing more time for stakeholders to provide feedback on the project. In a letter sent late last week, Kotek emphasized that the decision regarding the casino could have far-reaching consequences for Oregon’s communities, economic landscape, and the interests of the state at large. “It is critical to ensure that all stakeholders — including tribal nations, local governments, and residents — have sufficient time to thoughtfully consider the Final Environmental Impact Statement…