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.

A noticeable shift toward cooler, breezier and somewhat wetter weather is expected Friday into Saturday across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Rain chances appear most likely west of the Cascades and along the coast, while the broader regional impact may be the sharp cooldown during a busy outdoor-event weekend.

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.

A Heat Advisory is in effect Monday and Tuesday for much of southwest Oregon and parts of Northern California, with afternoon highs of 95 to 100 expected in the Rogue Valley and nearby low-lying valleys.

The Medford Cruise returns June 19 and 20 with car shows at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park, a Friday evening gathering, Saturday judging events and the downtown cruise from 5 to 8 p.m. Drivers should expect road closures and no-parking restrictions along the route.

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.

The Medford Police Department has unveiled a new K-9 memorial outside the police station, honoring the dogs and handlers who have served the city and recognizing the loyalty, courage and sacrifice of past and present police canine teams.

All Oregon Department of Forestry districts are now in fire season, triggering prevention reminders and local restrictions across the state. In Southern Oregon and Northern California, agencies are also updating fire danger levels, burn rules and equipment-use restrictions as conditions dry out.

Medford Police arrested an 18-year-old man Thursday after a reported stabbing on Greenwood Street left a 40-year-old man hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The first significant heat wave of the summer is expected to bring 90-degree and triple-digit temperatures to much of Southern Oregon and Northern California this weekend, prompting heat advisories across several west side valleys, coastal areas and parts of far Northern California.

Southern Oregon will move from showers, breezy nights and possible frost east of the Cascades to its first significant heat event of the season. Temperatures may reach 101 degrees in Medford and Grants Pass by Sunday, while forecasters urge residents to prepare for heat-related illness and remember that area rivers and lakes remain dangerously cold.

The Medford City Council has approved a consulting contract of up to $500,000 for early design and cost-estimation work tied to a proposed multi-purpose baseball stadium. The study will evaluate a potential Hawthorne Park site and compare it with the existing Harry & David Field location at Lithia & Driveway Fields.

Medford police are investigating an animal neglect case after officers responding to a welfare check Thursday in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place found evidence that led to a search warrant. Investigators said multiple live and deceased cats were later located on the property, with Jackson County Animal Control taking custody of the surviving animals.

Families in the Rogue Valley will have several movie options this summer, including free outdoor screenings in Medford and Central Point parks and discounted indoor family films at Tinseltown. Movies in the park begin at dusk, with Central Point’s series opening June 5 and Medford’s series beginning June 20.

Medford police have identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal assault as 43-year-old Nicole Marie Dominguez. Investigators say 19-year-old Darius McCree-Santangelo was located about 20 minutes after the initial call and lodged at the Jackson County Jail on a second-degree murder charge.

Medford police are investigating a homicide after an adult woman was found with significant injuries Tuesday afternoon near Welch Street and West Jackson Street. Police said a person of interest is in custody and there is no known threat to the public.

Seventy-three organizations will share more than $2.25 million in spring 2026 grants through the Reed and Carolee Walker Fund of Oregon Community Foundation. The award list includes organizations based in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties, with funding focused largely on services for children, families and low-income residents in Jackson County.

Medford Police arrested 21-year-old Ivan Ortiz after a Friday night shooting near In-N-Out on Crater Lake Highway left a 19-year-old man hospitalized with a gunshot wound.