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.
Klamath County Crash Kills Bend Man on HWY 31
One person was killed and another seriously injured following a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Highway 31 in Klamath County, according to Oregon State Police.
Klamath Falls Police Seek Community Volunteers
The Klamath Falls Police Department is seeking applicants for its Volunteer in Police Services (VIPS) program, which supports patrol operations, safety checks, and administrative services throughout the community.
DUII Suspect Arrested After Crashing Stolen Truck in Bend
A 21-year-old Portland man was arrested in Bend after allegedly fleeing deputies, crashing a stolen truck, and being found passed out behind the wheel. Investigators say the suspect was impaired and required medical treatment before being taken into custody.
Redmond Garage Fire Quickly Contained
Fire crews in Redmond quickly contained a garage fire Saturday evening after gasoline vapors ignited near a propane heater, preventing the blaze from spreading into the home. All residents and pets escaped safely, and no injuries were reported.
New Oregon Consumer Protection Laws Take Effect Jan. 1, 2026
New consumer protection laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2026, expand health coverage requirements, limit medical debt reporting, and strengthen insurance and billing protections for Oregonians.
Klamath Indigenous Land Trust Purchases 10,000 Acres Along Klamath River
The Klamath Indigenous Land Trust has acquired 10,000 acres along the Klamath River from PacifiCorp, returning key river lands to Indigenous stewardship for the first time in more than a century.
Oregon to Receive $197.3 Million in Federal Funding to Strengthen Rural Healthcare
Oregon will receive $197.3 million in federal funding beginning in 2026 to strengthen rural healthcare, with investments focused on access to care, workforce support, disease prevention, and health technology across rural and frontier communities.
Oregon Sees Historic Wave of Layoffs in 2025 as Unemployment Climbs
Oregon faced a historic surge in layoffs in 2025, surpassing Great Recession levels and pushing unemployment to its highest point since the pandemic. New data highlights the industries hit hardest and the broader economic implications for the state.
Garage Fire Linked to Electric Vehicle Battery on Bend’s Westside
A Christmas Eve garage fire on Bend’s west side was traced to a failed lithium-ion battery in a converted electric vehicle, according to Bend Fire & Rescue. Fire crews were able to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading into the main living space, though the home was left uninhabitable due to utility damage.
Deputy, Resident Rescue Injured Passenger From Burning Vehicle After Crow Road Crash
A Lane County deputy and a nearby resident rescued an injured passenger from a burning vehicle after a rollover crash on Crow Road. The driver was later arrested, according to the sheriff’s office.
Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck While Crossing Washburn Way
A Klamath Falls man was killed after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing Washburn Way in an electric wheelchair, according to the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.
Next-Generation 767 Airtanker Targets Aging Firefighting Fleet
A next-generation 767 Very Large Airtanker program is being developed to replace aging widebody firefighting aircraft and expand long-term wildfire suppression capacity.
Two Killed in Separate Oregon Crashes as Winter Conditions Impact Roads
Two people were killed in separate crashes reported by Oregon State Police over the weekend, including a three-vehicle collision on Highway 97 in Klamath County where icy road conditions were a contributing factor.
Oregon State Police Seek Public’s Help in $50,000 Theft at Salem School
Oregon State Police are seeking the public’s help to identify a suspect accused of stealing a side-by-side vehicle and equipment valued at $50,000 from the Oregon School for the Deaf in Salem.
ODFW Announces Umpqua R. Fishing Rule Changes for 2026, Opens North Coast Crab Season
ODFW announced new fishing regulations affecting Oregon anglers and commercial fishermen, including wild Chinook harvest restrictions in the Umpqua Basin and the opening of the north coast Dungeness crab season.
House Approves Federal Land Transfer to Pit River Tribe
The U.S. House has passed legislation approving the transfer of 580 acres of federal land in Northeastern California to the Pit River Tribe, returning an area known as the “Four Corners” to tribal stewardship.
Four Accused in Southern Oregon Firearms Case
Four individuals accused of unlawfully residing in the United States appeared in federal court in Medford after prosecutors alleged they made false statements while purchasing firearms and illegally possessed dozens of weapons in Southern Oregon.
Oregon Regulators Warn of Rising Investment Scams This Holiday Season
Oregon financial regulators are warning consumers about a rise in sophisticated investment scams this holiday season, highlighting 12 common tactics used by fraudsters.
Four Dead in Series of Oregon Highway Crashes
Four people were killed in separate highway crashes across Oregon over a two-day period, with Oregon State Police investigating fatal incidents in Klamath, Deschutes, Josephine, and Columbia counties.
OEM Activates Emergency Coordination Center Ahead of Atmospheric River
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has activated the State Emergency Coordination Center to Level 3 in response to an incoming atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain, flooding, and landslide risks across western Oregon.