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.
MPD Investigates Animal Neglect Case
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.
Roseburg Man Sentenced to Nearly 15 Years in Child Exploitation Case
A Roseburg man has been sentenced to 14 years and eight months in prison after investigators uncovered more than 740,000 child sexual abuse files in what Oregon officials described as one of the largest such cases in recent state history.
Locomotive Fire, Wrecking Yard Blaze Draw Bend Firefighters
Bend Fire & Rescue responded to two highly visible fires this week, including a fire on a BNSF locomotive south of Bend and a vehicle fire at an auto wrecking yard north of the city. Officials say both fires were contained quickly, with no injuries reported in the train fire and one minor injury reported at the wrecking yard.
Medford Police Identify Homicide Victim, Arrest Suspect
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 Homicide Investigation Underway
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.
Highland Avenue Crash Leaves Man Dead
A 22-year-old man died Tuesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Highland Avenue in Grants Pass. Police said Gabriel Davis was killed when his car veered into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle.
Fire Outlook Points to Elevated Summer Risk
The National Interagency Fire Center’s June outlook shows above-normal significant wildland fire potential across Northern California and parts of the Northwest, with the risk expanding across Oregon as summer progresses. The forecast does not predict specific fires, but it signals a greater-than-usual likelihood of significant wildfires during the June through September outlook period.
K9 Cisco Joins Ashland Police
The Ashland Police Department has introduced Cisco, a 20-month-old yellow lab donated by Dogs For Better Lives, as its new facility service dog. Cisco will support APD’s wellness program, assist in community settings and help create a calming environment during sensitive interactions.
Henley Wins at KidWind Worlds
Henley High School students returned from the 2026 World KidWind Challenge with two major honors, including a Wind Champion award for team Valley Breeze and an Innovation Award for Walker Crawford’s solo-entry turbine design.
Kotek Comes Out Against IP28 (VIDEO)
The Oregon governor’s opposition adds a major twist to a proposed animal cruelty measure that has divided hunters, farmers, ranchers, animal-rights advocates and political leaders across the state.
DUII Crash Closes Historic Gold Hill Bridge
A DUII crash Sunday night caused significant structural damage to the nearly 100-year-old Lampman Road Bridge over Galls Creek in Gold Hill, forcing Jackson County officials to close the bridge indefinitely to all vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Hilt Fire Lined at 15 to 20 Acres Near Colestin Road
ODF Southwest says forward progress has been stopped on the Hilt Fire burning near the 2000 block of Colestin Road in southern Jackson County. The grass fire is estimated at 15 to 20 acres, with Level 1 evacuation notices issued for zones JAC-564 and JAC-566.
MPD Arrest Suspect After In-N-Out Shooting
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.
Mower Sparks Ament Road Grass Fire Near Grants Pass
A mower sparked a grass fire Sunday afternoon on Ament Road near Moon Mountain, according to Rural Metro Fire. Firefighters from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District controlled the fire at 1.75 acres with no structural damage reported.
New Forest Takes Root on Mount Shasta
Nearly five years after the Lava Fire burned across the northern slopes of Mount Shasta, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest says crews have planted more than 1.47 million seedlings across 2,769 acres as part of a long-term reforestation effort.
Oregonians Using SNAP Benefits Most Frequently Listed Big Grocery, Retail Companies as Employer
A new Oregon Capital Chronicle analysis found that Oregonians receiving SNAP benefits in 2025 most frequently listed major grocery, retail, fast food, school and university employers on income verification forms, including Safeway/Albertsons, Walmart, Amazon, Fred Meyer/Kroger and Oregon’s public universities.
Pollution Violations in Brookings, Charleston and Wolf Creek Lead to DEQ Fines
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 13 civil penalties in April totaling more than $3.4 million. The enforcement actions included major wastewater penalties tied to Pacific Seafood facilities in Charleston and Brookings, along with a solid waste case in Wolf Creek.
Oregon Paddle Permit Now in Effect Statewide, Draws Pushback
Oregon’s expanded Waterway Access Permit requirement is now in effect for all nonmotorized boats, including kayaks, paddleboards, rafts, canoes and inflatable versions regardless of length. State officials say the fees help fund waterway access and aquatic invasive species prevention, while opponents argue the law places an unfair burden on low-risk paddlers.
In Photos: Wildflowers Return to the Klamath
A spring wildflower bloom is spreading across the former Iron Gate and Copco reservoir footprints, where the Yurok Tribe says crews have planted millions of native seeds since the removal of four Klamath River dams in 2024. The returning plants are helping stabilize soil, support wildlife and rebuild habitat along the river.
Market Street Shooting Leaves Man Dead in Klamath Falls
An 84-year-old man has been arrested after a fatal shooting early Friday morning in the 500 block of Market Street in Klamath Falls. Police said the victim later died at Sky Lakes Medical Center, and detectives found discrepancies between the suspect’s initial account and evidence gathered during the investigation.