Fire danger on ODF-protected lands across Jackson and Josephine counties will rise to moderate Thursday, bringing new restrictions on campfires, chainsaws, mowing and other spark-producing activities. SCOFMP already lists moderate fire danger across parts of Klamath and Lake counties.

A Jacksonville man pleaded guilty to nine federal tax and fraud charges involving unpaid employment taxes, fraudulent loan applications and identity theft. He agreed to pay nearly $1.2 million in restitution to the IRS and is scheduled for sentencing Oct. 9.

Les Schwab Tire Centers has cut approximately 70 positions at its Bend headquarters as part of a corporate restructuring. The company says affected employees will receive severance and extended benefits, while the changes will help realign headquarters resources as the Oregon-founded retailer continues expanding its network of more than 600 stores.

After rebuilding the historic Butte Creek Mill from the 2015 fire, the nonprofit foundation behind the Eagle Point landmark is preparing for its next major project. A proposed certified community kitchen could support community dinners, cooking classes, educational programs and new opportunities centered on the mill’s stone-ground flour and agricultural heritage.

Southern Oregon will move from showers, breezy nights and possible frost east of the Cascades to its first significant heat event of the season. Temperatures may reach 101 degrees in Medford and Grants Pass by Sunday, while forecasters urge residents to prepare for heat-related illness and remember that area rivers and lakes remain dangerously cold.

Oregon Tech is closing the academic year with several campus updates, including a new dean, a fully online dental hygiene master’s program and recognition for retiring employees who served the university for a combined 113 years.

The Oregon State Police is leading an investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting Friday morning in Klamath Falls. Authorities said Klamath Falls police responded to a domestic disturbance and welfare check request on East Main Street, where officers encountered an armed adult male. A minor child was injured during the incident and is in stable condition.

A Siskiyou County traffic stop on May 29 led to the discovery of 18 kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at $1.9 million, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the suspected drugs were found inside an aftermarket hidden compartment after a Mount Shasta Police Department K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics.

The Medford City Council has approved a consulting contract of up to $500,000 for early design and cost-estimation work tied to a proposed multi-purpose baseball stadium. The study will evaluate a potential Hawthorne Park site and compare it with the existing Harry & David Field location at Lithia & Driveway Fields.

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.

Oregon Summer EBT benefits begin June 5 for automatically eligible families, providing $120 per eligible child to help buy food during the summer months when school meals are less available.

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.

Free fishing, waived paddling permits, free Oregon State Parks parking and free day-use access on national forests all line up this weekend, giving families across Southern Oregon and Northern California an easy excuse to get outside.

Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, has been nominated to serve as director of the Indian Health Service. Cruz currently serves as senior advisor to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before taking the role.

A new wildlife overcrossing on U.S. 97 near Grass Lake in Siskiyou County is already being used by deer, Caltrans District 2 says. The project was built to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity in a corridor where more than 50 deer and 16 elk fatalities were recorded between 2015 and 2020.

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.

Families in the Rogue Valley will have several movie options this summer, including free outdoor screenings in Medford and Central Point parks and discounted indoor family films at Tinseltown. Movies in the park begin at dusk, with Central Point’s series opening June 5 and Medford’s series beginning June 20.

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.

Fire crews in the Douglas District have responded to five fires since the start of fire season, including incidents near Canyonville, Myrtle Creek, Tyee and Roseburg. DFPA says all five fires were contained quickly, but crews have also responded to about 15 illegal debris burn calls.

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.