Southern Oregon & Northern California News
Latest local news from Southern Oregon and Northern California, covering Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Jackson County, Josephine County, Klamath County, Siskiyou County, Del Norte County, and communities throughout the region.
Klamath Falls Garage Fire Contained Before Spreading Through Home
Klamath County Fire District 1 firefighters contained a Friday morning garage fire on Lincoln Street in Klamath Falls before flames could significantly spread into the attached home. All occupants had evacuated before crews arrived, no injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation.
281-acre West Fork Evans Creek Fire 95% lined near Sams Valley
Firefighters have pushed the 281-acre West Fork Evans Creek Fire near Sams Valley to 95% lined and 15% contained after aggressive overnight work. Crews are expanding mop-up operations, reinforcing firelines ahead of stronger winds, and continuing a substantial ground and air response in northern Jackson County.
Bend Police Detail Silver Rail Elementary Shooting, Identify Victims and Shooter
Bend Police released new details Friday about the Silver Rail Elementary shooting, identifying 5-year-old Rhoam Summer, teacher Megan Lambert, and the 16-year-old shooter while revealing how a teacher and parent intervened during the attack.
3 Children, Teacher Killed in Bend School Shooting; 16-Year-Old Suspect Dead
Three children and a teacher were killed in Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. A 7-year-old child and a teacher were critically injured, and police say a community member pursued the 16-year-old shooter into the school and fatally shot him.
2-Year-Old Dies After Accidental Drowning Near Cave Junction
A 2-year-old boy died after being found unconscious in the Illinois River near a home outside Cave Junction. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office says there is no evidence of foul play and is investigating the death as an accidental drowning.
Arrest Made in Klamath Falls Hit-and-Run
Klamath Falls police have made an arrest in an Oct. 2 hit-and-run that left a man seriously injured and a dog dead on Broadmore Street. Detectives served a search warrant Oct. 14 and arrested a 32-year-old woman.
Woman Rescued From Domestic Well After Two Hours in Water
A woman was rescued after falling about 20 feet into a domestic well and spending roughly two hours in 12 feet of standing water. Jackson County Fire District 3 and Central Point police brought her to the surface in about 30 to 35 minutes.
Two Hikers Rescued After 36 Hours on Mount Shasta
Two young hikers were rescued from Mount Shasta after spending roughly 36 hours on the mountain. Their phones died overnight before a wrong turn near Horse Camp led them several miles into Cascade Gulch, where they became stranded between steep cliffs.
New Regional Emergency Radio System Goes Live Across Jackson County
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon has completed the transition to a new regional public safety radio system serving Jackson County and surrounding areas. The multi-year project includes 20 new or upgraded radio sites and nearly 1,800 mobile and portable radios, replacing aging infrastructure that included components more than 30 years old.
Two Structure Fires Quickly Contained in Klamath, Lake Counties
Firefighters in Klamath and Lake counties recently contained two separate structure fires before they could spread farther. KCFD1 limited a Clinton Avenue fire largely to a garage, while Lakeview crews stopped a fully involved shop fire.
Another Fire Hits The Loring as Medford Moves Toward Eminent Domain
Another fire has damaged The Loring on Biddle Road as Medford moves toward eminent domain proceedings for the former hotel property. The city says the building remains unsafe and uninhabitable after years of water damage, fires, unauthorized occupancy, and repeated police calls.
Missing Nevada Man Found Buried at Property Tied to Williams Highway Deaths
The search for missing Nevada man Andrew Forrest Odom has ended at the same Williams Highway property where two members of his family were found dead earlier this week. Oregon State Police says Odom’s remains were discovered buried on the property Thursday, two days after a barricaded incident involving gunfire directed at detectives.
Reno Driver Killed in Head-On Crash on Highway 139
A 24-year-old Reno man was killed Monday afternoon in a head-on crash on Highway 139 in Modoc County. CHP says his Toyota Tacoma crossed into the southbound lane and collided with a Ram 2500 south of the Tulelake Agricultural Station. The other driver sustained minor injuries.
KCFD1 Completes $300,000 Station 1 Improvement Project
Klamath County Fire District 1 has completed approximately $300,000 in improvements at Station 1, replacing bay doors dating to the 1930s and upgrading the station to better accommodate modern fire and EMS vehicles. The project was funded through several years of capital planning and builds on earlier remodeling and seismic upgrades.
MPD Investigates Two Deaths After Barricade Incident on Williams Highway
Medford police are investigating after two people were found dead inside a residence along Williams Highway in Josephine County. Oregon State Police detectives were following up on a missing person case when an individual reportedly fired at them, prompting a barricaded-subject response involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
KCFD1 responds to two escaped fires, warns fall fire danger is not over
Klamath County Fire District 1 responded to two escaped fires Monday afternoon, including a backyard fire that damaged fencing on neighboring properties and a wind-driven brush fire along Highway 97 South. Fire officials say dry grass and brush across the Klamath Basin can still carry fire quickly despite cooler fall conditions.
Two Police Eludes, Two Crashes, Major Drug Seizure
A Medford man is jailed after authorities say repeated attempts to flee police ended in two crashes and multiple search warrants. Investigators say the searches uncovered more than 100 grams of fentanyl, nearly 400 grams of heroin, methamphetamine, drug-dealing supplies, and a loaded handgun.
Macdoel Man Found Shot Dead, SCSO Investigating
Siskiyou County detectives are investigating after a 63-year-old Macdoel man was found dead inside a residence Saturday evening with gunshot wounds. The victim was identified as Michael Emmett Hurlburt, and authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Multi-Agency Drug Trafficking Operation Spans Jackson County Communities
A coordinated law enforcement operation targeting a drug trafficking organization brought tactical vehicles, federal agents, and a helicopter to several Jackson County communities Wednesday. Multiple search warrants were served simultaneously, but authorities have not yet released details about arrests, seized evidence, or the organization under investigation.
Teen Arrested After Crash Killed Passenger, Sparked 15,000-Acre East Evans Creek Fire
A 17-year-old driver has been arrested more than two months after a rollover crash on East Evans Creek Road killed his 18-year-old passenger and sparked the East Evans Creek Fire. JCSO says the teen was driving at high speed, did not have a valid license, and now faces criminally negligent homicide and other charges.