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.
Gavin Newsom seeks to clear death row, commutes sentences for hundreds of prisoners
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking to commute the death sentences of 548 prisoners, potentially clearing the state's death row. Nearly 400 cases will require California Supreme Court approval. The decision follows a 2019 execution moratorium and has drawn sharply divided reactions from victims' families, prosecutors, and death penalty opponents.
Cal Fire Sues Shasta County Landowner Over Alleged Illegal Water Diversion
The Record Searchlight reported on Wednesday that Cal Fire has sued a Shasta County landowner, alleging he illegally diverted water from the Pit River to a pond on his Montgomery Creek property. The landowner disputes the claims, saying he has historic water rights.
Weed Lumber Mill Closing; 140 Workers Jobless
Roseburg Forest Products has closed its Weed, Calif., veneer plant as it consolidates production at upgraded Oregon facilities. The company says the move strengthens long-term competitiveness and affects about 140 employees.
14 Arrested in Shasta County During Multi-Agency Parole Compliance Operation
A multi-agency law enforcement sweep in Shasta County led to 14 arrests as officers conducted parole compliance checks at 22 locations. The Nov. 14 operation, known as Operation Shasta Shield, focused on high-risk supervised individuals, including registered sex offenders.
NorCal Firefighters Extinguish House Fire in Castella
Fire crews from Castella, Dunsmuir, Mount Shasta, Weed, and CAL FIRE Siskiyou worked together to extinguish a house fire on Castella Loop Monday afternoon. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.
UPDATE: Body of Missing Child Recovered at Garrapata State Beach
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the body of the missing 7-year-old girl swept into the ocean at Garrapata State Beach has been recovered, bringing a tragic end to a multi-day search effort.
California Voters Approve Prop 50
California voters have approved Proposition 50, shifting redistricting control from the state’s independent commission to the legislature. Backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the measure is expected to make five U.S. House districts more favorable to Democrats ahead of 2026.