MEDFORD, Ore. – A crash Tuesday morning on Riverside Avenue left two individuals with minor injuries. At approximately 9:20 a.m., Medford Police (MPD), Medford Fire Department, and Mercy Flights responded to the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Earhart Street following reports of the accident. According to MPD, two vehicles were traveling northbound on Riverside Avenue, a one-way road with three lanes. A Dodge RAM pick-up truck was in the center lane, and a Toyota Matrix was positioned in the left lane. The driver of the Dodge RAM failed to recognize the one-way restriction of the road and attempted to turn…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – A Medford man was arrested last week after a road rage incident during which he allegedly threatened another driver with a firearm and later fired the weapon from his vehicle. According to the Medford Police Department, the incident occurred on January 16th, on the 2100 block of Crater Lake Avenue. The victims reported that a man, later identified as 34-year-old Brandon Blackwell, had threatened them with a gun before fleeing the scene. Officers quickly began investigating the case and collecting statements. Approximately 30 minutes later, the victim called the police again, reporting that Blackwell had returned. Following…
Medford, Ore. – A crash on the Garfield Street overpass, located above Interstate 5 at Exit 27, has led to significant traffic congestion in the area. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the incident occurred earlier today, causing backups on the southbound off-ramp. Motorists traveling through the area are advised to use alternate routes, as the left turn lanes on the off-ramp are currently closed. ODOT is warning drivers to expect continued delays while emergency responders clear the scene and the roadway is reopened. Traffic is expected to remain backed up for some time, and drivers are urged…
Medford, Ore. — In a span of just over an hour, Josephine County first responders were called to four reports of structure fires, only to find that three of them were false alarms. The calls, originating from areas spanning Sunny Valley to Selma, prompted a significant response from local emergency services. Grants Pass 911 received the calls, triggering the dispatch of approximately 20 emergency vehicles, including teams from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, Illinois Valley Fire District, and AMR. Crews rushed to the reported locations, prepared for what was assumed to be multiple fires. Upon arrival, however, responders discovered…
Medford, OR – The 2025 Oregon legislative session, set to begin Tuesday, is poised to tackle a series of pressing budget issues, including a nearly $2 billion transportation deficit and substantial budget requests for housing and homelessness initiatives. These challenges come at a time when both party leaders in the House and Senate have expressed that improving affordability and addressing the rising cost of living are top priorities for Oregonians. During a legislative kickoff press event last Thursday, House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, emphasized that affordability issues are foremost in the minds of constituents. “We are leading first and foremost…
AZALEA, Ore. – A 48-year-old Azalea man is in custody following the discovery of hidden cameras inside a private home on Upper Cow Creek Road. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) launched an investigation after learning that the cameras were placed in various areas of the home without the residents’ knowledge or consent. Detectives executed multiple search warrants at the residence and uncovered additional hidden cameras, along with a firearm suppressor. Authorities report that Hughes was not legally permitted to possess the suppressor. Stephen Hughes was arrested on Wednesday and now faces charges related to invasion of privacy and unlawful…
Medford, OR — Two Oregon residents were arrested on Saturday for allegedly impersonating firefighters while attempting to enter an evacuation zone in the Palisades Fire area. The suspects, Dustin Nehl, 31, and Jennifer Nehl, 44, were taken into custody by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies after a fire truck, marked with the name of a fictitious fire department, was spotted attempting to access the restricted zone. According to law enforcement, the fire truck displayed the label of the ‘Roaring River Fire Department,’ which was later determined to be nonexistent. Authorities learned that the truck had been purchased at an auction…
Medford, OR – A Klamath Falls man was sentenced to life in federal prison on Friday for kidnapping and sexually assaulting two women, one of whom he locked in a homemade cinder block cell at his home. Negasi Zuberi, 31, was convicted in October of both crimes after a federal jury found him guilty of abducting a woman from Seattle in July 2023. According to investigators, Zuberi posed as an undercover cop to lure the woman, placing her in handcuffs and leg irons while threatening her with a stun gun. He then transported her to his residence in Klamath Falls,…
Medford, OR – The 2025 Oregon legislative session kicks off Tuesday with a heavy focus on the state’s budget, as lawmakers prepare to address significant financial challenges, including a nearly $2 billion transportation deficit. In addition to transportation, Governor Tina Kotek has made large funding requests for housing and homelessness, which will also be a central theme in the upcoming session. During a legislative press event on Thursday, leaders from both major political parties emphasized the importance of affordability for Oregonians as they begin to tackle these budget issues. House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, stated that affordability is the top…
Medford, OR – After a year of negotiations, the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association (PNWHMA) Southern Oregon Providers have successfully secured a first contract for the Providence Medford Emergency Department. The agreement, announced earlier this week, represents a significant achievement for physicians, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and physician assistants (PAs) working in the department. The terms of the new contract include a 20.7% base wage increase for physicians, substantial pay raises for APRNs and PAs, improved shift differentials, and expanded benefits for continuing education and workplace safety. These changes are seen as a significant step forward in recognizing the…