Grants Pass, Ore. — The Grants Pass City Council is set to vote on a resolution next week that could significantly impact the city’s approach to addressing homelessness. The council will decide on expanding resting sites for unhoused residents, following a workshop held on Tuesday, April 8. During the meeting, Councilor Joel King proposed a motion to keep open the current resting sites at 704 NW 6th St and 712 NE 7th St, while also adding two additional sites in the parking lots next to the 6th Street location. These new sites would offer more space for individuals in need…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, Ore. – A new outdoor initiative aimed at encouraging children to explore nature is coming to Medford with the city’s first TRACK Trail, set to open by the end of June at Prescott Park. The half-mile-long, paved trail will provide local children with a fun, interactive way to connect with the outdoors, thanks to a partnership between Kids in Parks and Oregon Parks Forever. TRACK Trails are part of a national program designed to engage children in grades 1 through 6 in outdoor exploration. The trails feature educational activities that spark curiosity and provide opportunities for hands-on learning as…
MEDFORD, Ore. — Southern Oregon Head Start is facing a critical funding crisis that could force it to shut down half of its operations this Friday, with a complete closure looming by April 18 unless frozen federal funds are released. The situation has left 917 children and 367 staff members at risk, and program leaders are urgently seeking answers from the federal government as they struggle to navigate the uncertain financial landscape. Peter Buckley, former state representative and member of the Oregon Early Learning Council, has been closely involved with the crisis. He described the impending shutdown as a “dire,…
Medford, Ore. — Emergency personnel in Coos County responded to a plane crash early this morning involving a small aircraft that crashed into Coos Bay after overshooting the runway at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport. The incident, which occurred around 6:12 a.m., prompted an immediate response from local fire and rescue teams. According to officials with the North Bend Fire Department (NBFD), the aircraft, which had been attempting to land on Runway 23, skidded off the runway and came to rest about 100 feet off the eastern end of the runway in the water. Five individuals were aboard the plane at…
Medford, Ore. – On a day filled with passionate calls for change, Medford, Oregon, was the site of two large protests that reflected a nationwide movement against federal government cuts and policies. These protests were part of a broader series of over 1,200 events held across the United States, with protesters gathering to demand urgent action on issues they feel are being ignored by current leadership. The first rally, Hands Off, drew nearly 4,000 participants to Hawthorne Park. The crowd marched through the streets, voicing their concerns over federal policies they believe have been detrimental to their communities. The protesters’ messages…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The Josephine County Food Bank is feeling the effects of recent cuts to federal funding, which are beginning to impact its ability to serve the local community. According to warehouse manager Matt Stevens, the food bank has already noticed a significant decrease in inventory as of the beginning of this month, largely due to a reduction in the delivery of dry goods. Stevens also expressed concerns about future shipments, anticipating further shortages in produce and meat supplies. As a result, the food bank is bracing for a difficult road ahead as it works to meet the…
Medford, Ore. – A new piece of legislation aimed at improving school safety was introduced to the Oregon House Committee on Judiciary on Monday. House Bill 3839, which seeks to expand access to sex offender information for school districts, could significantly impact how schools screen individuals with a history of sexual offenses. The bill, introduced by Central Oregon State Representative Emerson Levy and Bend-La Pine Superintendent Steve Cook, is a direct response to a troubling incident in which a convicted child sex offender entered a middle school in Levy’s district. The event raised alarms about the limitations of the current…
Medford, OR — The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has announced the abrupt cancellation of several critical literacy and math programs following unexpected cuts in federal funding. The funding, which was initially expected to continue throughout the year, was unexpectedly reduced in March 2025, leaving numerous educational initiatives in limbo. These programs, which aim to provide high-quality instructional support for students across the state, have been instrumental in helping over 500,000 students across 197 school districts. Designed to enhance student learning and improve academic outcomes, the student-centered programs were a vital part of Oregon’s education strategy. The ODE reported that…
MEDFORD, Ore. – Rogue Community Health is embarking on a leadership transition as CEO William North, who has helmed the organization since 2014, announced his retirement at the end of the year. North’s tenure has been marked by significant growth and expansion, both in terms of services offered and the size of the organization. Under North’s leadership, Rogue Community Health saw a dramatic increase in its reach and impact. The health organization grew from 89 employees to over 300, reflecting its expanded ability to serve the Southern Oregon community. Along with this growth, access to healthcare services also improved, particularly…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — A 39-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2020 shooting deaths of two men in Rogue River, Oregon. Joshua Robert Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree abuse of a corpse in connection with the November 4, 2020, deaths of Duane and Shane Roork. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office reported that on the day of the incident, law enforcement responded to a shooting at a hemp farm located on East Evans Creek Road in Rogue River. Authorities learned from witnesses that…