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…
Author: Sarah Prescott
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…
Medford, Ore. – A growing shortage of public defenders has placed the constitutional rights of thousands of Oregonians in jeopardy, with the state struggling to provide adequate legal defense for those facing criminal charges. In January, over 4,000 individuals across Oregon found themselves without legal counsel as they faced criminal charges. Of those, nearly 750 were in Jackson County alone, highlighting the severity of the issue in the southern part of the state. Despite efforts to address the problem in 2023, the gap in public defense resources continues to widen, leaving many vulnerable to having their rights violated and their…
Medford, Ore. — In a historic move, the Oregon Department of State Lands has allocated a record-breaking $76.8 million to the state’s 197 public school districts as part of the 2025 Common School Fund. This distribution, marking the largest amount in the fund’s history, is set to support schools across Oregon, providing a critical financial resource for districts grappling with rising costs. The $76.8 million represents 3.5% of the total value of the Common School Fund, which is currently valued at $2.38 billion as of February 2025. The funds are distributed based on student enrollment, with calculations adhering to the…
EAGLE POINT, Ore. — Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) are investigating a stabbing that took place Thursday morning, in what officials have described as a case of self-defense. At approximately 8:31 a.m., ECSO 911 Dispatch received a report of a stabbing in the 2100 block of Rogue River Drive in Eagle Point. Deputies, along with responders from Jackson County Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights, rushed to the scene. A Mercy Flights ambulance transported the wounded suspect to a local hospital after deputies secured the area. According to detectives, a commercial electrician was working in the area…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A 22-year-old man is dead following a motorcycle crash on Monday, March 10, in Grants Pass. The incident occurred early in the morning, at approximately 6:03 a.m., on the 2500 block of Granite Hill Road. According to authorities, Jesse Louis Tillett was found deceased off the roadway alongside his 2003 Suzuki Sport Bike. Responding agencies, including the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Rural Metro Fire, and American Medical Response, arrived at the scene shortly after the crash was reported. Investigators determined that Tillett’s motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, causing him to lose control.…