The City of Medford has selected Deputy Chief Trevor Arnold as its next police chief, pending final City Council action. Arnold has served with the Medford Police Department for more than 27 years and would succeed Chief Justin Ivens, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

A resident was displaced Sunday night after a trailer fire in the 3000 block of Table Rock Road in Medford. Medford Fire says the blaze was knocked down within eight minutes, caused extensive damage to the RV, and was likely sparked by embers from an outdoor fire pit.

Firefighters on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest are monitoring for possible holdover fires after more than 2,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the forest area in 24 hours. The agency said crews responded to reported strikes and visible smoke while continuing prescribed fire work designed to reduce ground fuels under favorable spring conditions.

Two people were rescued and taken to the hospital after a thunderstorm brought down a tree in East Grants Pass, severely damaging two homes along Rogue River Highway. Rural Metro Fire said the injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening, and crews also responded to a damaged gas line caused by the uprooted tree.

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue welcomed Kathmandu Fire Chief Kishor Kumar Bhattarai for a hands-on training demonstration and tour of local fire facilities. The visit gave firefighters an opportunity to share knowledge, compare emergency response practices, and strengthen connections across the global fire service community.

A Medford man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in a federal child exploitation case involving a minor victim in his care. Prosecutors said investigators found more than 300 videos and nearly 8,000 images of child sexual abuse material on his devices.

Christopher Shane Boyce has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to First-Degree Manslaughter in the April 2025 fatal stabbing of Rory Pomeroy in the Lowe’s parking lot on Crater Lake Highway in Medford. Prosecutors said the case resolution followed consultation with Pomeroy’s family due to trial risks involving a possible self-defense claim.

Medford Fire celebrated the graduation of Recruit Academy 26-01, honoring eight recruits who completed a 13-week academy and are now transitioning into service as probationary firefighters. Family, friends, City of Medford leadership, and department officials attended the ceremony.

Fire crews responded Friday morning to a structure fire on Hathaway Drive in Kerby, where two outbuildings were fully engulfed. Illinois Valley Fire District says the nearby home sustained only minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has awarded nearly $6 million to 180 local fire agencies through the 2026 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant. The funding will help agencies add seasonal firefighters or additional shift coverage through October as Oregon prepares for the upcoming wildfire season.

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.

Klamath County Fire District 1 responded to a two-story residential structure fire Wednesday in the 1900 block of Auburn Street in Klamath Falls. Crews found heavy fire at the rear of the home extending into the second floor, but no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

The Medford Police Department says illegal encampments have declined significantly since 2023, while the city’s Livability Team has expanded outreach and case support services. According to the city, Medford reported 13 illegal encampments in March 2026, down from 186 in March 2023.

Jackson County Emergency Management will conduct its annual pre-fire season test of the Jackson Alerts mass notification system on Friday, May 1. The test will include alerts sent to registered users and a live Emergency Alert System message broadcast through local radio and cable television.

A 75-year-old motorcyclist was injured Tuesday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Old Millican Road in Lake County, about two miles from the Deschutes County line. The rider received medical care at the scene before being transferred to Life Flight Network for transport to a higher level of care.

A reported threat led to a lockdown at North Valley High School Tuesday morning. Deputies searched the campus and found no weapons, while all district schools were placed in secure status as a precaution.

A precautionary lockdown at Malin Elementary School was lifted Tuesday after police responded to reports of individuals attempting to access secured doors. Authorities say no active threat was ever identified.

Two separate incidents along Redwood Highway near Cave Junction—a trailer crash and a rockfall event—temporarily disrupted traffic over a two-day period, officials said.

Jacksonville Police reported multiple arrests during the week of April 20–27, including a suspect tied to a violent assault, a convicted felon found with a firearm, and an intoxicated e-bike rider charged with DUII.

Emergency crews responded to a crash near Merlin after an iPhone crash detection alert, where both occupants declined transport despite significant vehicle damage.