Two young hikers were rescued from Mount Shasta after spending roughly 36 hours on the mountain. Their phones died overnight before a wrong turn near Horse Camp led them several miles into Cascade Gulch, where they became stranded between steep cliffs.

Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon has completed the transition to a new regional public safety radio system serving Jackson County and surrounding areas. The multi-year project includes 20 new or upgraded radio sites and nearly 1,800 mobile and portable radios, replacing aging infrastructure that included components more than 30 years old.

Firefighters in Klamath and Lake counties recently contained two separate structure fires before they could spread farther. KCFD1 limited a Clinton Avenue fire largely to a garage, while Lakeview crews stopped a fully involved shop fire.

Another fire has damaged The Loring on Biddle Road as Medford moves toward eminent domain proceedings for the former hotel property. The city says the building remains unsafe and uninhabitable after years of water damage, fires, unauthorized occupancy, and repeated police calls.

A 24-year-old Reno man was killed Monday afternoon in a head-on crash on Highway 139 in Modoc County. CHP says his Toyota Tacoma crossed into the southbound lane and collided with a Ram 2500 south of the Tulelake Agricultural Station. The other driver sustained minor injuries.

Shasta Elementary students have a new place to play after the school celebrated the opening of an $87,000 playground project. Fundraising by the Shasta Elementary School Booster Club, donated work from local contractors, and volunteer help from parents and teachers made the new equipment possible.

A Medford man has pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and admitted the fentanyl he supplied caused two overdose deaths in 2025. Federal investigators later seized fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, a handgun, and more than $5,000 in cash.

Kingsley Field has received final Air Force authorization for a 26-aircraft F-35A Lightning II training mission. The 173rd Fighter Wing says the transition will include major construction, infrastructure upgrades, maintenance preparation, and new training programs, with the first jets expected to arrive in summer 2027.

A large smoke column visible Monday from parts of Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point, White City, Shady Cove, and surrounding areas is coming from a planned prescribed burn near Tiller. Crews are burning Unit 710 at Long Prairie on the Umpqua National Forest.

Henley High School and Lost River Jr./Sr. High School have each received $125,000 CTE Revitalization Grants. Henley plans to launch a hands-on cattle program, while Lost River will modernize its wood and metal fabrication shops.

Rogue Community College and Oregon Tech are launching a new 2+2 pathway that will allow Southern Oregon students to earn an associate degree at RCC and continue into Oregon Tech’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology bachelor’s program without leaving the Rogue Valley.

Jackson Park in Medford is set for a major overhaul with a new splash park, dog park, expanded paths, Fagone Field upgrades, and other improvements planned across five phases beginning with work scheduled for completion in summer 2027.

A new economic analysis finds Klamath Community College supports more than 1,200 jobs and contributes tens of millions of dollars to the regional economy through college operations, student spending, and alumni who remain in the Klamath Basin workforce. KCC Economic Impact for 2026

Siskiyou County detectives are investigating after a 63-year-old Macdoel man was found dead inside a residence Saturday evening with gunshot wounds. The victim was identified as Michael Emmett Hurlburt, and authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to come forward.

Three people, including a 4-month-old girl, were killed Saturday in a head-on crash on Highway 42 in Myrtle Point. Oregon State Police says the other driver had fled an attempted police contact at high speed before losing control, crossing the center line, and striking the victims’ vehicle.

Firefighters made significant overnight progress on the Anderson Butte Road Fire in Jackson County, completing line around the entire 78-acre perimeter and extending hose along most of the fire. Crews are now beginning mop-up operations southwest of Talent and east of Ruch while the cause remains under investigation.

The Medford City Council has selected Martha Bennett as the city’s next city manager following a nationwide recruitment that drew nearly 40 applicants. Bennett, a former Ashland city administrator and Lake Oswego city manager, will begin Nov. 30.

The Merrill Rural Fire Protection District has received a 2004 Type 4 wildland fire engine through a federal readiness program. The 800-gallon engine can draft and haul water to active firelines while also strengthening local fire response in and around Merrill.

Cascade Comprehensive Care has donated $50,000 to the Ross Ragland Theater in downtown Klamath Falls. The contribution will support live entertainment and community programming while helping strengthen one of the city’s best-known cultural venues.

Klamath Basin Oktoberfest returns Saturday to the Bill Collier Ice Arena at the Running Y Resort with local beer, food, live music, competitions, and family activities. The one-day event runs from noon to 9 p.m. and includes four live bands, kids entertainment, and a full afternoon and evening of Oktoberfest traditions.