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.
Cooler Weather, Rain Chances Ahead for Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon and Northern California face a cooler, unsettled weekend, with Halloween showers, near-freezing temperatures in inland valleys, and an increased sneaker-wave risk along the Oregon Coast. The National Weather Service expects a brief return to drier conditions before rain chances increase later next week.
KCSD Selects Melissa Cole as Next Superintendent
The Klamath County School District Board of Directors has selected Melissa Cole as its next superintendent. Cole, a Klamath Falls resident and longtime educator with more than 25 years of experience, will succeed retiring Superintendent Glen Szymoniak and begin leading the district on July 1.
SOU Emergency Funding Request Moves to HECC
The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission is considering a request to seek up to $15 million in emergency state funding for Southern Oregon University. The money would support SOU’s cashflow needs through fiscal year 2027 as the university faces a major budget shortfall and considers long-term restructuring options.
Klamath River Dam Removal Project Earns International Award
The Klamath River Renewal Project has received international recognition for its role in restoring fish passage and river connectivity following the removal of four hydroelectric dams. Project partners say the effort reopened more than 400 miles of historic habitat for salmon, steelhead and lamprey.
Siskiyou Sheriff Holds Dorris Town Hall on Wolf Concerns
Siskiyou County officials held a town hall in Dorris this week to discuss public safety concerns with Butte Valley residents, including ongoing issues involving gray wolves, livestock depredation and reported wolf habituation. The Sheriff’s Office says additional town halls are planned this month in Quartz Valley, Happy Camp, Tulelake and Hornbrook.
Basin Transit, KCC Partner on CDL Training Effort
Basin Transit Service says it partnered with Klamath Community College to help a staff member earn a commercial driver license with a passenger endorsement. The agency says the training will allow the employee to operate a college vehicle used to support student and athletic transportation needs.
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.
Medford Selects Trevor Arnold as Next Police Chief
The City of Medford has selected Deputy Chief Trevor Arnold as its next police chief, pending final City Council action. Arnold has served with the Medford Police Department for more than 27 years and would succeed Chief Justin Ivens, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Asante to Pay Ashland $4M as Hospital Agreement Ends
Asante is expected to pay the City of Ashland $4 million by June 18 as the two parties work to end a long-running affiliation agreement tied to Ashland Community Hospital. The agreement comes as Asante prepares to close inpatient services in Ashland and convert the facility into a satellite campus of Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Asante Says Hospitals Will Remain Open Amid Layoffs and Financial Cuts
Asante says its hospitals, emergency departments and immediate care locations will remain open as the health system moves forward with layoffs and cost-cutting efforts. The organization says 300 or more employees may be affected in fiscal year 2026 as it works to address rising expenses, lower reimbursement rates and other financial pressures.
Longtime acupuncture clinic under new ownership with help from KCC’s SBDC
Shasta Acupuncture, a trusted holistic wellness clinic in the Klamath Basin for nearly two decades, has entered a new era under the ownership of longtime local practitioner Lian Xue. With guidance from Klamath Community College’s Small Business Development Center, Xue successfully navigated the purchase process and is now expanding the clinic’s commitment to community-centered healing.