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.
Bend, Newport, Medford/Ashland Among Top July 4 Travel Destinations
AAA expects 877,000 Oregonians to travel for Independence Day, with Bend, Newport and Medford/Ashland among the top regional destinations. The forecast also highlights Oregon gas prices, airfare and major July 4 events in Bend, Medford and Ashland.
Les Schwab Cuts 70 Jobs at Bend Headquarters
Les Schwab Tire Centers has cut approximately 70 positions at its Bend headquarters as part of a corporate restructuring. The company says affected employees will receive severance and extended benefits, while the changes will help realign headquarters resources as the Oregon-founded retailer continues expanding its network of more than 600 stores.
$26.4 Million in Shelter Funding Coming to Southern and Central Oregon
More than $26.4 million in new state shelter funding has been awarded to regional coordinators serving Southern Oregon, the South Coast, and Central Oregon. The awards are part of more than $102 million announced statewide through Oregon’s Statewide Shelter Program.
Cascade Lakes Highway Opens Early After Low-Snow Winter
Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road are open for the season after Deschutes County crews completed snow-clearing work earlier than many years. County officials said the work moved faster because of this year’s warm winter and limited snowfall in the Central Oregon Cascades.
Two Hikers Rescued on South Sister
Two hikers were rescued on South Sister after one suffered a medical issue and mild hypothermia during a descent, prompting an overnight response from Deschutes County Search and Rescue crews.
Black Hawk Assists Snowboarder Rescue Near Broken Top
An injured snowboarder was rescued near Broken Top after a multi-agency response involving a Black Hawk helicopter and 22 SAR volunteers. Crews navigated steep, snow-covered terrain and changing weather conditions to reach the woman. She was stabilized and flown to a Bend hospital for treatment.
Bend Man Arrested Again After Motorcycle Pursuit
A Bend man was arrested for the second time in a month after threatening a deputy and fleeing on a motorcycle in Deschutes River Woods. The incident prompted a large law enforcement response and temporarily halted train traffic in the area. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and faces additional charges.
Search and Rescue Assists Hiker on Misery Ridge at Smith Rock
Search and Rescue volunteers assisted a 67-year-old hiker who experienced a medical emergency Thursday on the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park. Responders from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Fire & Rescue, and Oregon State Park Rangers coordinated efforts to provide on-scene care and transport the patient down the trail using a wheeled litter to a waiting ambulance.
Shop Fire Near Tumalo Destroys Vehicles, Causes $220K in Damage
A Tumalo-area shop fire caused by a vehicle fuel leak destroyed multiple vehicles and caused an estimated $220,000 in damage Friday evening. Fire crews stopped the blaze before it reached nearby homes.
Escaped Field Burn Contained East of Bend
An escaped field burn east of Bend was contained at 6.6 acres Monday afternoon after wind pushed flames beyond containment lines. Fire crews from multiple agencies responded quickly to stop the spread, preventing damage to nearby structures and keeping the fire confined to pasture land.
Merkley Town Halls Postponed
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will host a series of town halls across Central and Southern Oregon on March 20–21, including stops in Klamath, Lake, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. The events are part of his ongoing effort to hold annual conversations in all 36 counties statewide.
La Pine Man Arrested in Mother’s Homicide
A La Pine man has been arrested after deputies say he reported involvement in the homicide of his mother at their shared residence early Monday morning.
Redmond Garage Fire Quickly Contained
Fire crews in Redmond quickly contained a garage fire Saturday evening after gasoline vapors ignited near a propane heater, preventing the blaze from spreading into the home. All residents and pets escaped safely, and no injuries were reported.
Workplace Dispute Leads to Shooting at Sisters Restaurant
A shooting tied to a workplace dispute at a Sisters restaurant Tuesday morning ended with a suspect’s arrest following a short police pursuit along Highway 20, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
Kidnapped Child Safely Recovered After Central Oregon Pursuit
A 9-year-old child reported kidnapped out of Multnomah County was safely recovered Monday night following a nearly 30-minute, multi-agency pursuit through Central Oregon that ended in Redmond, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
Deschutes County Expands Options for Hard-to-Recycle Items
Deschutes County Solid Waste has added new drop-off containers for hard-to-recycle materials—including plastic bags, lids, shredded paper, and aluminum trays—at transfer stations and Knott Landfill beginning December 2.
Deschutes County Plans Winter Pile Burns Near Resorts
Deschutes County will conduct winter pile burns on up to 24 acres near Seventh Mountain Resort and Points West, with weekday ignitions planned between December and February.
Lack of Snow Delays Mt. Bachelor’s Ski Season Start
Mt. Bachelor has postponed its planned Nov. 28 opening day due to warm, dry weather and limited snowpack. With only a 2-inch base reported, the resort says it will open as soon as conditions allow and will announce a new date once sufficient snowfall arrives.
Redmond, Deschutes County to Co-Manage Homeless Camp Near Airport
The City of Redmond and Deschutes County have approved a joint plan to co-manage a 10-acre homeless camp near the Redmond Airport. The managed site will include 72 campsites with utilities and services, and is expected to open by January 2026.