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.
Heat Advisory in Effect for Rogue Valley as Highs Near 100
A Heat Advisory is in effect Monday and Tuesday for much of southwest Oregon and parts of Northern California, with afternoon highs of 95 to 100 expected in the Rogue Valley and nearby low-lying valleys.
Affordable Townhomes Opening in Klamath Falls
Mountainview Townhomes, a new 72-home affordable housing development in Klamath Falls, will celebrate its grand opening June 23. The development includes one-, two- and three-bedroom townhomes, shared community spaces, a playground, dog run, community garden and project-based vouchers for very low-income residents.
Klamath Basin Graduates Take Their Next Step
Klamath Community College and Oregon Tech celebrated their 2026 graduates in Klamath Falls last week, honoring students who earned degrees, certificates and workforce-focused credentials. The ceremonies highlighted persistence, family support, rural opportunity and the next steps for hundreds of graduates across the Klamath Basin.
SOU Board Approves Vitality Plan
Southern Oregon University’s Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the university’s Vitality Plan, moving SOU into a yearlong implementation phase tied to emergency state funding. The plan calls for more than $20 million in reductions and includes the sunsetting of three academic programs.
Medford Cruise Rolls Back Into Downtown This Weekend
The Medford Cruise returns June 19 and 20 with car shows at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park, a Friday evening gathering, Saturday judging events and the downtown cruise from 5 to 8 p.m. Drivers should expect road closures and no-parking restrictions along the route.
Illegal Marijuana Grow Found Hidden in Central Point Pear Orchard
An illegal marijuana grow hidden inside a rural Central Point pear orchard was raided this week, leading to the seizure of about 25,000 plants, 16,000 pounds of usable cannabis and additional plants from hoop-style greenhouses, according to JCSO.
Red Flag Warnings Issued for Abundant Lightning
Red Flag Warnings have been issued for Friday across parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California, including Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou counties, as thunderstorms are expected to bring abundant lightning over dry fuels.
Bend, Newport, Medford/Ashland Among Top July 4 Travel Destinations
AAA expects 877,000 Oregonians to travel for Independence Day, with Bend, Newport and Medford/Ashland among the top regional destinations. The forecast also highlights Oregon gas prices, airfare and major July 4 events in Bend, Medford and Ashland.
Yoss Creek Fire Fully Lined North of Chiloquin
Firefighters worked through the night on the Yoss Creek Fire north of Chiloquin, keeping the human-caused fire at approximately 8 acres. SCOFMP says the fire is fully lined, with no structures threatened and no road closures reported.
Bonanza Woman Killed in Oregon 39 Crash
A Bonanza woman was killed Tuesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 39 at the South Side Expressway intersection near Klamath Falls, according to Oregon State Police.
Fire Weather Watch Issued for Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou Counties
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Klamath, Lake, Siskiyou and Modoc counties, warning that thunderstorms could bring abundant lightning, dry fuels and gusty outflow winds late Thursday night through Friday night.
Klamath Water Users Disappointed After Appeals Court Decision on Endangered Species Act
The Klamath Water Users Association says it is disappointed after a Ninth Circuit decision affirmed that the Bureau of Reclamation has authority to operate the Klamath Project in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. KWUA says it is reviewing the ruling and evaluating possible next steps.
In Photos: Jackson County Crews Clean Up Graffiti in White City
Jackson County deputies and partner agencies spent several hours cleaning up graffiti and clearing overgrown weeds around White City. The Sheriff’s Office said crews painted over and pressure washed graffiti at 10 locations while also improving sidewalk and bike path access.
Mutual Aid Response Helps Stop West Jones Fire at 17 Acres
Rural Metro Fire says a fast mutual-aid response helped stop the West Jones Fire at 17 acres Monday evening near Grants Pass. Several homes were threatened along West Jones Creek Road and Rancho Vista Drive, but officials said all residences were protected.
Medford Police Unveil New K-9 Memorial
The Medford Police Department has unveiled a new K-9 memorial outside the police station, honoring the dogs and handlers who have served the city and recognizing the loyalty, courage and sacrifice of past and present police canine teams.
Siskiyou Sheriff Seeks Help Identifying Woman Found Near Hawkinsville
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying a woman whose body was found June 8 on Klamath National Forest property near Hawkinsville. Officials said the woman had dyed red hair, no visible tattoos, and was believed to be between 45 and 55 years old.
Siskiyou County Continues Crackdown on Illegal Marijuana Grows
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office says illegal grow enforcement efforts are continuing, with NSMIT reporting 332,871 marijuana plants eradicated in 2025 and another 903 plants removed during a June 4 warrant in Mount Shasta Vista.
UPDATED: West Jones Fire Prompts Evacuations
The West Jones Fire evacuation has been reduced from Level 3 “GO NOW” to Level 1 as crews make progress northeast of Grants Pass. Rural Metro Fire says the fire remains estimated at 8 to 10 acres, with crews continuing to protect homes and Rancho Vista Drive still closed due to emergency vehicle traffic.
Fire Season Now Active Across Oregon
All Oregon Department of Forestry districts are now in fire season, triggering prevention reminders and local restrictions across the state. In Southern Oregon and Northern California, agencies are also updating fire danger levels, burn rules and equipment-use restrictions as conditions dry out.
UPDATED: Crews Hold Spencer Gulch Fire at 75 Acres
Firefighters made strong progress Monday on the Spencer Gulch Fire near Jacksonville, and all evacuation levels have been canceled. ODF Southwest Oregon says the fire remains 75 acres, with hose line around the perimeter and overnight crews continuing mop-up work.