Medford, Ore. — Tensions flared in the Oregon House of Representatives Monday as District 3 Representative Dwayne Yunker voiced his opposition to Senate Bill 1098, the Freedom to Read Act, in a highly provocative manner. Yunker took the unusual step of reading aloud a sexually explicit passage from the book The Haters during a House session, in an effort to make a point about what he sees as the dangers of Senate Bill 1098. The bill, which passed the Senate education committee earlier that day, aims to prevent discrimination when selecting or retaining school library materials, textbooks, or instructional content.…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) announced Tuesday that nine individuals were arrested on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) over the weekend. The arrests occurred on Sunday and Monday, primarily in the Medford, Central Point, and Talent areas. Seven of the arrests were related to controlled substances, while the remaining two involved alcohol. During the course of the arrests, deputies discovered several concerning items. These included baggies containing suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine, a concealed firearm, and a felon carrying a knife and brass knuckles. However, the JCSO has not released additional details about…
Medford, Ore. – Jackson Park, one of Medford’s oldest and most beloved parks, is set to undergo a significant transformation with a $2.3 million revitalization project. Located in west Medford, Jackson Park has served the local community since the 1960s. However, with Jackson Pool no longer in operation and the community now served by Rogue X, the park is ready for an upgrade that aims to breathe new life into the space. The upcoming renovation plans include the replacement of the old pool with a large, modern splash pad, providing a new way for families to cool off during the…
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — A Central Point woman lost her life on Sunday afternoon after attempting to clear debris from a culvert during heavy rainstorms that led to widespread flooding in the area. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) confirmed the tragic incident, which occurred on March 16 in the 5000 block of Kane Creek Road, a rural area known for its proximity to flood-prone waterways. Deputies were called to the scene after reports of a missing woman. Investigators later determined that the woman had been trying to clear branches from a culvert under her driveway when the swift, rising…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A weekend of torrential rain and severe flooding wreaked havoc in southwestern Oregon, leaving many residents grappling with the aftermath. Among those hardest hit was the Polder family, who found their home submerged as a result of a rapidly overflowing culvert. Andrew Polder, a father of three, described the harrowing experience as the floodwaters quickly swarmed around their property. “It started just filling up real quick, and it just started coming in,” Polder said. “Our house was literally in a little river all the way around both sides of the house… all sides of the house…
Medford, OR – Oregon lawmakers are considering a proposal to nearly double the funding for a state program that provides free tax preparation services to low-income families. The move comes as the program, which helps residents claim critical tax credits, faces increasing demand and strained resources. Created in 2022, the Tax Infrastructure Grant Program was designed to help low-income Oregonians access tax credits, particularly the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), by overcoming barriers like limited English proficiency and lack of internet access. The program funds over a dozen organizations across the state, including universities, nonprofits, and legal aid groups,…
Medford, OR – As wildfire season approaches, many homeowners in rural areas are turning to burn piles to clear debris from their properties. While burning debris is an effective way to manage waste and reduce fire hazards, experts warn that burn piles can quickly get out of control if not handled properly. Rural Metro Fire is offering critical safety tips to help homeowners safely manage their burn piles and avoid the spread of wildfires. According to Teague, a spokesperson for Rural Metro Fire, starting with a small pile is essential. A pile about 4 feet wide and 4 feet high…
Josephine County, Ore. — A weekend of heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding across Josephine County, leading to significant disruptions for local residents and travelers. The excessive rainfall has impacted nearly all areas of the county’s road system, according to the Josephine County Emergency Management. As of Sunday evening, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Department provided an update at 7:00 PM regarding the ongoing flooding situation. Emergency responders and local authorities are working tirelessly to assess the damage and respond to the growing number of incidents caused by the inclement weather. The heavy rains have led to localized flooding, making many…
Ashland, Ore. — Mt. Ashland Ski Area was forced to evacuate all guests by 1 p.m. Sunday as a powerful winter storm intensified in the region. The ski area announced that both public and staff access would be restricted for the remainder of the day due to hazardous weather conditions. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) confirmed that it could no longer maintain the access road, following a breakdown of one of its snowplows and the forecast of an additional 8.5 inches of snow. As a result, ODOT closed the road for safety reasons. “This was a cooperative decision made…
Medford, OR – The Oregon Senate has passed a bill aimed at expanding the state’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics. Senate Bill 551, which now heads to the Oregon House for a vote, would implement new restrictions on plastic utensils, condiment packages, and small personal health or beauty product containers. Under the proposed legislation, starting in 2026, customers at food service establishments will need to request plastic utensils and condiment packages, rather than being automatically provided with them. Additionally, the bill mandates that lodging establishments, starting in 2028, could only offer small plastic health and beauty…