Luis Puga-Mendoza, 42, has been sentenced to 12½ years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse involving two minor victims. The consecutive Measure 11 sentences must be served day-for-day without reductions.

Multiple vehicles and trailers were damaged Tuesday after a fire broke out at a storage facility along East Vilas Road in Medford. Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze before it could spread farther through the property. No injuries were reported.

Zach Patrick Moenaert was sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to six felony sex crimes involving two children. Prosecutors said he abused the children over about six years and created numerous recordings documenting the abuse.

Eight local suspects were arrested during a coordinated child exploitation operation involving separate investigations across Southern Oregon. Seven were taken into custody in Jackson County, while a Talent suspect was arrested in Washington. Together, they face 71 felony counts of encouraging child sexual abuse.

A Red Flag Warning will cover the Rogue, Illinois, and Applegate valleys from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening as dry, gusty weather raises fire danger. A Heat Advisory follows Tuesday through Thursday, with some inland communities forecast to reach 105 to 110 degrees.

Medford’s monthly utility charge for single-family homes increased from $76.53 to $85.91 on July 1. The higher rate will first appear on August bills and helps fund sewer service, public safety, storm drains, street maintenance and parks across the city.

Medford police have identified the suspect in Thursday’s KeyBank robbery on East Barnett Road. Detectives say they have probable cause to arrest Anthony James Blank, 44, but he remained at large after officers served a search warrant at his residence.

A 29-year-old Medford man has been indicted on 12 charges after investigators examined a mobile device reported to contain child sexual abuse material. Police arrested him July 23 at a Bennett Avenue residence, and a Jackson County grand jury returned the indictment Tuesday.

A 62-year-old Medford man died Thursday night after the semi-truck he was driving struck another semi that had stopped in the westbound lane of Highway 26 near Sandy, according to Oregon State Police. The highway was affected for approximately five hours.

A man was arrested Tuesday after Medford police say a parking dispute escalated into threats and gunfire near a Stevens Street business. Multiple rounds were reportedly fired, but no one was struck. Officers later located the suspect vehicle on Campus Drive and made an arrest.

A Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning for much of Southern Oregon as forecasters expect thunderstorms, abundant lightning and gusty outflow winds Wednesday over fuels already primed for rapid fire growth.

After nearly a century of caring for animals in Southern Oregon, SoHumane has broken ground on a new Medford campus designed to expand shelter capacity, veterinary care, adoption services and community programs while giving animals a healthier environment as they wait for new homes.

A Pacific Power outage is affecting 1,403 customers in parts of Medford, including ZIP codes 97504 and 97524. The utility attributes the interruption to enhanced wildfire safety settings and estimates service will be restored before 2 p.m. Monday.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect through Sunday for parts of the Klamath Basin, eastern Klamath County and Modoc County. Strong southwest winds, very low humidity and critically dry fuels could allow new fires to spread rapidly, while hot inland weather continues across the region.

Medford Fire crews are moving into the new Fire Station 15 on Roberts Road as the rebuild enters its final phase. The project replaces Medford’s oldest fire station and is expected to add modern space for crews, EMS response and logistics support.

Medford police said 44-year-old Richard Estrada Jr. was arrested Monday after a SWAT standoff at a Grandview Drive residence. Police said he was wanted in connection with a July 1 burglary on Lawnridge Street involving stolen firearms.

Fireworks over lakes, rivers and the coast will cap a busy July 3-5 Independence Day weekend across the Jefferson region, with parades, food, music, rodeos, train rides, car shows and family celebrations from Crescent City to Klamath Falls, Central Point, Lakeview, Alturas and Mt. Shasta.

Allen Dale Mitchell, 62, was sentenced Tuesday to 116 months in prison after entering a no contest plea to unlawful delivery of methamphetamine. Prosecutors said a 2020 MADGE investigation led to the seizure of more than two pounds of methamphetamine in Central Point.

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.

A spring-like weather system is expected to bring much cooler temperatures, widespread showers, isolated thunderstorms, and gusty winds to Southern Oregon and Northern California through Saturday. Snow levels may lower near 6,000 feet late Friday into Saturday, with chilly mornings expected Sunday and Monday.