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.
Southern Oregon Schools Included in Rural Healthcare Funding Initiative
Southern Oregon communities are included in a new rural healthcare funding initiative that could expand school nursing services, support local hospitals and clinics, and create new grant opportunities for regional providers.
Man Found Deceased Near Lower Table Rock Cliffs (VIDEO)
Jackson County Search and Rescue located a missing 28-year-old man deceased Wednesday morning near the Lower Table Rock cliffs. Officials say the death appears to be non-criminal and the investigation remains ongoing.
DUII Arrest After Multi-Vehicle Crash on Crater Lake Highway
A driver was arrested following a multi-vehicle crash on Crater Lake Highway in the Medford area that caused congestion and prompted a reconstruction investigation. Police said intoxication contributed to the collision, which resulted in injuries to other drivers. The roadway has since reopened.
Klamath Falls Named 2026 IMBA Trail Town
Klamath Falls has been named a 2026 IMBA Trail Town, a national designation recognizing communities that prioritize trail development, outdoor recreation access, and long-term stewardship. The city was one of just 28 selected nationwide and one of only two in Oregon, highlighting the growing role of trails in supporting tourism, economic development, and community engagement.
Bend School Bus Driver Arrested for DUII
A Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver was arrested on suspicion of DUII and reckless endangering after transportation staff reported concerns that she appeared intoxicated while operating a school bus. According to Bend Police, the driver had completed one student route and was preparing for another when she was removed from duty. Authorities later reported she registered a 0.16 percent blood alcohol content approximately seven hours after initial testing.
Federal Funding Headed to Southern Oregon Airports
Several Southern Oregon airports, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, and Klamath Falls, are set to receive federal funding as part of a more than $27 million statewide investment aimed at improving aviation infrastructure. Projects include runway and taxiway resurfacing, lighting upgrades, pavement rehabilitation, and safety enhancements designed to support emergency response, business travel, and regional connectivity across Southern Oregon and nearby coastal communities.
Klamath Basin Agriculture Faces Severe Irrigation Shortfall
The initial irrigation water allocation for the Klamath Project in 2026 is expected to fall significantly short of agricultural needs, according to the Klamath Water Users Association. The Bureau of Reclamation announced 221,000 acre-feet from Upper Klamath Lake, just over half of what is typically required. Officials say drought conditions, minimal snowpack, and regulatory constraints are contributing factors, and more than 40,000 acres may need to be idled this season.
Ride the Rim Cancelled for 2026 at Crater Lake
Ride the Rim at Crater Lake National Park has been cancelled for 2026 due to major construction projects affecting roads, trails, and visitor areas. Officials say the work includes improvements to East Rim Drive, Cleetwood Cove Trail and Marina, and other park facilities. While the event will not take place this year, the park will remain open to visitors, and planning is already underway to bring Ride the Rim back in 2027.
Construction Continues on Station 15
Construction on Medford Fire Station 15 continues to advance, with interior drywall nearing completion and kitchen cabinets now being installed. Exterior work is also progressing, including siding installation and preparation for concrete sidewalks and apparatus bay access. Crews continue responding from a temporary apparatus bay while the project moves forward.
Oregon Tech Awarded $310K to Expand UX Certificate Programs
Oregon Tech has received a $310,000 funding increase to expand its User Experience certificate programs, supporting scholarships, industry tools, and summer training opportunities. The grant will fund 66 full-tuition scholarships and provide students access to professional UX software used in the field. Officials say the program is designed for working professionals, career changers, and students looking to build practical UX skills.
Lions Club Building Damaged in Cave Junction Structure Fire
Fire crews from multiple agencies responded Sunday morning to a structure fire at the Lions Club building in Cave Junction. Smoke was observed coming from the roofline upon arrival, and firefighters entered the building to confirm and extinguish the blaze. Utility crews and traffic control support were also requested, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Wolf Sightings Near Homes Raise Concerns in Siskiyou County
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an increase in gray wolf sightings near homes and a rise in livestock depredations this spring. Officials say at least 16 confirmed depredations have occurred since early February, including a recent incident in Butte Valley where two wolves were reported stalking dogs near a residence. Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue is calling for changes to California’s gray wolf management plan and urging residents to take precautions.
Bonanza Clinic Marks 30 Years of Community Care
The Bonanza Clinic is marking 30 years of service after a grassroots community effort built the rural healthcare facility from the ground up in 1996. Following the sudden retirement of the area’s only physician, residents across Bonanza, Bly, Beatty, Dairy, Olene, and Sprague River mobilized to restore access to primary care. Volunteers donated labor, materials, and expertise to convert a former restaurant into a clinic, which has since provided more than 120,000 patient visits over three decades.
Bend Police Seek Help Identifying Armed Robbery Suspect
Bend Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect who allegedly pointed a handgun at an employee during an attempted armed robbery at Abby’s Legendary Pizza in northeast Bend. Investigators say the man cashed out an 86-cent ticket before threatening the worker and fleeing the scene on a black BMX bicycle Wednesday night.
HWD Introduces Regional Weather Camera Hub
HWD has introduced a new regional Weather Camera Hub that brings together more than 140 live cameras across Southern Oregon and Northern California into one convenient page. The collection includes feeds from transportation agencies, media outlets, and other providers, allowing readers to quickly check real-time road and weather conditions across major highways, mountain passes, and coastal routes.
Medford Man Arrested After Standoff, Faces 18 Child Sex Crime Charges
A Medford man accused of 18 child sex crimes was arrested Thursday after an hours-long standoff in south Medford. Investigators say the case began after the suspect allegedly sent child sexual abuse material to undercover officers, leading to a search warrant and discovery of additional evidence.
Juvenile Arrested After Stabbing in Medford
A juvenile female was taken into custody Wednesday evening following a stabbing in Medford. Police say two juveniles were involved in a physical altercation in the roadway when one produced a knife, leaving the victim with multiple serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
KWUA Warns of Reduced Water for 2026
The Klamath Water Users Association is warning of reduced irrigation water deliveries for the 2026 season due to extremely low snowpack. Officials say up to 40,000 acres may need to remain unirrigated to preserve water later in the year. A community meeting is planned to discuss conditions and next steps.
Black Hawk Assists Snowboarder Rescue Near Broken Top
An injured snowboarder was rescued near Broken Top after a multi-agency response involving a Black Hawk helicopter and 22 SAR volunteers. Crews navigated steep, snow-covered terrain and changing weather conditions to reach the woman. She was stabilized and flown to a Bend hospital for treatment.
KCC Names New VP of External Programs
Klamath Community College has named Lucas Ritter as its new Vice President of External Programs. Ritter is a Klamath Falls native and longtime Air Force officer who will begin the role May 4. College officials say he will oversee outreach, grants, and workforce initiatives.