Medford, OR – Oregon State Representative Pam Marsh has introduced a new piece of legislation, House Bill 3146, designed to support the state’s homeless population in their recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). The bill seeks to create a pilot program through the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to provide low-barrier emergency housing to individuals on waiting lists for SUD treatment. Under the proposed bill, $10 million from the state’s general fund would be allocated to OHA to fund between four and eight emergency housing programs across Oregon. These programs would specifically target individuals who are homeless or “dangerously housed” and…
Author: Sarah Prescott
IDLEYLD PARK, Ore. – A 34-year-old woman from Grants Pass died in a single-vehicle crash Monday evening on Highway 138 East, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP). The crash occurred at approximately 6:38 p.m. on April 7, near milepost 28.5, east of Idleyld Park. Authorities said the driver, a 65-year-old man from Merlin, was operating a westbound Chevrolet Tahoe when, for reasons yet to be determined, the vehicle crossed the roadway, veered off the eastbound shoulder, and crashed into a tree. The passenger, identified as Scoti Allena Hoadley, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision…
Ashland, Ore. – The parents of a young child who they claim was subjected to abuse at an Ashland preschool have filed a $27 million civil lawsuit against the institution, demanding accountability for alleged failures to enforce safety protocols. The family’s lawsuit, filed Thursday morning in Jackson County Circuit Court, targets Children’s World: A Bilingual Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten, and accuses the school of institutional negligence and failing to protect vulnerable children from abuse. According to the lawsuit, the abuse was carried out by teacher Craig Johnson, who is currently under criminal investigation. Bonnie Richardson, the family’s attorney, emphasized that…
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Two men were arrested Tuesday afternoon after a violent altercation at the A Street resting site, which saw one man wielding a tree branch and the other pulling out a handgun. According to Grants Pass Police, the incident unfolded around 1:21 p.m. on April 8. Officers responded to reports of a fight at 101 NW A Street, where 40-year-old Bobby Swearingen and 34-year-old Kaleb Farmer were involved in a physical confrontation. Swearingen, armed with a tree branch, allegedly struck Farmer during the altercation. In response, Farmer pulled out a .357 revolver, escalating the situation. Police say…
Medford, Ore. – The City of Medford is in talks with the Eugene Emeralds, a High-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, about potentially relocating the team to Jackson County with the construction of a new $90 million stadium. The Emeralds, who have been seeking a new long-term home following their inability to secure funding for a new stadium in Eugene, are eyeing Medford as a possible destination after their efforts to secure a spot at the Lane County Fairgrounds or expand the University of Oregon’s PK Park fell through. At a city council study session on Wednesday night, the…
Grants Pass, Ore. – A woman is in custody after allegedly stabbing her husband on Tuesday afternoon in Grants Pass. According to the Grants Pass Police Department (GPPD), officers responded to a report of an assault at approximately 2:15 p.m. in the 1400 block of East Park Street. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities discovered that the victim, a man, had been stabbed by his wife, identified as 39-year-old Allison Jenkins. The victim was quickly transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities confirmed that Jenkins had fled the scene prior to their arrival. After…
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…
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…