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.
Missing Hunter Found Safe After Three Days in Wilderness Near Prospect
A 60-year-old hunter missing for more than 72 hours in the remote wilderness near Prospect was found safe Wednesday. The search brought together crews from Southern Oregon and Northern California, with aircraft, K-9 teams, and dozens of community volunteers joining the effort.
Ashland Massage Parlor Raided Amid Human Trafficking Investigation
Ashland police executed search warrants at 99 China massage parlor and a neighboring residence on November 6 following a three-month investigation into suspected illicit activity and possible human trafficking. Two female employees were arrested on licensing-related offenses. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
Grand Jury Finds Officer Justified in Ashland Shooting
A Jackson County grand jury has determined that Ashland Police Officer Alex Vela was legally justified in shooting Phillip Battaglia, 36, during an October 26 confrontation on A Street. Newly released evidence details the encounter, including two shots fired, body-camera footage, and statements made to investigators. Battaglia faces five criminal charges.
Ashland Police Officer Shoots Knife-Armed Suspect
An Ashland Police officer shot and wounded a knife-armed suspect early Monday morning after responding to a business alarm on A Street. The suspect was transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation.
Armed Robbery Investigation Leads to I-5 Pursuit, Arrests Near Grants Pass
A Medford armed robbery investigation ended with a pursuit north on Interstate 5 after officers located the suspect vehicle near Sage Road and Highway 238. Spike strips stopped the SUV near Grants Pass, where the occupants were taken into custody.
Driver Killed, Passenger Seriously Injured After Car Strikes Elk on Highway 234
A Grants Pass man was killed and his passenger seriously injured after their car struck a cow elk on Highway 234 near Antioch Road early Saturday. The vehicle continued off the roadway and hit a tree.
Former Eagle Point School Employee Sentenced to Jail, Ordered to Register as Sex Offender
An Eagle Point woman has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of supervised probation after being convicted of third-degree sexual abuse and furnishing alcohol to a person under 21. The case began in 2024 and involved a victim who was 17 at the time, prosecutors said.
Klamath Falls Pair Arrested After Burglary at Eagle Point Purple Parrot
Two Klamath Falls residents were arrested after an early-morning burglary at the Purple Parrot in Eagle Point. Police say the suspects fled on an electric scooter before officers used a drone, K-9 team and coordinated search to locate them.
Investigators Search Ashland Apartment in Child Exploitation Investigation
Investigators served a search warrant at an Ashland apartment Wednesday after authorities say an unidentified suspect sent more than 2,000 child sexual abuse material images to an undercover investigator. Digital devices were seized as investigators work to identify the suspect.
Woman Charged with Murder After Rural Central Point Shooting
Jackson County sheriff’s detectives are investigating after a 62-year-old man was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound inside a rural Central Point home. A 67-year-old woman who had been in a relationship with the victim was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Task Force Seizes 1,300 Plants at Illegal Grow Near Applegate
Jackson County officials said IMET detectives seized approximately 1,300 marijuana plants, half a pound of psilocybin mushrooms and 3 1/2 pounds of THC extract during a July 9 search at an illegal grow near the Applegate area outside Jacksonville.
Jackson County Jail to Reduce Bed Capacity July 1
Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler says the county jail will close its basement housing unit beginning July 1, reducing operational capacity from about 292 beds to 230. Sickler said rising medical, staffing and operational costs have forced difficult decisions across the agency.
Wimer Woman Killed in Domestic Violence Shooting
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the death of Onalea Clay, 59, of Wimer, after authorities say a man reported shooting a woman during a domestic violence altercation at a rural Sykes Creek Road home.
Shots Fired During Medford Break-In
A family safely escaped a Gilman Road home Sunday night after reporting a burglary in progress and shots fired by the homeowner. Medford Police say the suspect was found wounded inside the residence and taken into custody.
Illegal Marijuana Grow Found Hidden in Central Point Pear Orchard
An illegal marijuana grow hidden inside a rural Central Point pear orchard was raided this week, leading to the seizure of about 25,000 plants, 16,000 pounds of usable cannabis and additional plants from hoop-style greenhouses, according to JCSO.
In Photos: Jackson County Crews Clean Up Graffiti in White City
Jackson County deputies and partner agencies spent several hours cleaning up graffiti and clearing overgrown weeds around White City. The Sheriff’s Office said crews painted over and pressure washed graffiti at 10 locations while also improving sidewalk and bike path access.
Roseburg Man Sentenced to Nearly 15 Years in Child Exploitation Case
A Roseburg man has been sentenced to 14 years and eight months in prison after investigators uncovered more than 740,000 child sexual abuse files in what Oregon officials described as one of the largest such cases in recent state history.
DUII Crash Closes Historic Gold Hill Bridge
A DUII crash Sunday night caused significant structural damage to the nearly 100-year-old Lampman Road Bridge over Galls Creek in Gold Hill, forcing Jackson County officials to close the bridge indefinitely to all vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Discord Child Exploitation Investigation Leads to Search Warrant
A child exploitation investigation tied to Discord led to a search warrant Wednesday morning at a rural Central Point residence. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the case began after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children connected uploaded child sexual abuse material to the address.
Blackwell Fire Prompts Evacuations
Evacuation levels will remain in place overnight for the Blackwell Road fire near rural Central Point, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Forward progression of the grassfire has been stopped, but firefighters remain active in the area, with overnight roadblocks continuing near Tolo Road, Nellis Road and Merita Terrace.