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.
Man Arrested After Hatchet Robbery at Cave Junction Store
Josephine County deputies arrested Wayne Patrick Baker, 37, following a reported hatchet robbery at Shop Smart in Cave Junction on November 1. Authorities say Baker threatened a store employee, stole more than $1,000 in merchandise, and fled on a bicycle before striking a patrol vehicle during an attempted escape. Six charges have been referred for review.
Medford Man Sentenced to Five Years for Parking Lot Shooting
David Michael Somers, 42, was sentenced to five years in prison following his conviction on three counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm and one count of Menacing. The charges stemmed from a July 21 shooting outside Spirits World in Medford. The sentence is among the first imposed under a new Jackson County District Attorney's Office firearm prosecution policy.
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.
SWAT Standoff Ends in Medford Arrest
Medford Police say an early morning shots-fired call on South Holly Street led to a SWAT response after several people refused to come out of a residence. Officers reported no injuries and said one man was jailed on multiple firearm and domestic violence-related charges.
Bystander Helps Stop Medford Kidnapping Attempt (video)
A Jackson County Grand Jury has indicted 42-year-old Matthew Hokulii Aranda on 10 charges after investigators say he posed as a utility worker, attacked a caregiver at a rural Medford mobile home park, and attempted to kidnap her before an 85-year-old bystander intervened.
Two Arrested After Gold Hill Shots-Fired Call
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two unrelated suspects Thursday night after a shots-fired call near Gold Hill led to a pursuit and a separate arrest connected to the original report. Deputies say one suspect was arrested after fleeing in a truck, while another was later arrested after firearms were found in a second vehicle.
Barricaded Suspect Taken Into Custody After Jacksonville Standoff
A barricaded suspect was taken into custody in Jacksonville following a domestic assault involving a knife that left one person injured. The incident prompted a large multi-agency response, including a shelter-in-place alert, specialized resources, and SWAT activation before the situation was resolved without further incident.
Bend Man Arrested After Road Rage BB Gun Threat
An 18-year-old Bend man was arrested after a road rage incident escalated into a weapons threat at a southeast Bend gas station, according to the Bend Police Department. The weapon involved was later determined to be a BB gun.