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.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Halts Flock Camera Plan Over Privacy Concerns
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue says his office will not move forward with a planned Flock Safety camera program after identifying privacy concerns. No sheriff’s cameras were installed, and the owner of a reported camera in Central Weed remains unknown.
Police Identify Suspect in Medford KeyBank Robbery; Search Continues (UPDATED)
Medford police have identified the suspect in Thursday’s KeyBank robbery on East Barnett Road. Detectives say they have probable cause to arrest Anthony James Blank, 44, but he remained at large after officers served a search warrant at his residence.
Police Seek Man After Carjacking, Pursuit Through Grants Pass
Grants Pass police are searching for a 36-year-old man accused of domestic violence, carjacking a driver and leading deputies on a dangerous pursuit before abandoning the stolen vehicle. Police say he should not be approached and anyone who sees him should call 911.
East Evans Creek Fire Reaches 78% Containment as Mop-Up Continues
Containment on the East Evans Creek Fire has climbed to 78% as crews continue extinguishing hidden heat, removing hose and repairing suppression lines. Infrared mapping identified several hotspots within the 300-foot mop-up zone near Dry Creek, which firefighters quickly extinguished.
Balero Sentenced to More Than 13 Years for White City Shooting
Romualdo Angulo Balero has been sentenced to 158 months in prison for the 2024 shooting of a bicyclist near Colonial Mobile Estates in White City. A jury convicted him of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm.
Medford Man Indicted on 12 Charges in Child Sexual Abuse Material Case
A 29-year-old Medford man has been indicted on 12 charges after investigators examined a mobile device reported to contain child sexual abuse material. Police arrested him July 23 at a Bennett Avenue residence, and a Jackson County grand jury returned the indictment Tuesday.
Livestock Mornings to Midway Nights: The Klamath County Fair Opens Thursday
The Klamath County Fair opens Thursday for four days of livestock shows, carnival rides, fair food, local exhibits, and nighttime entertainment. Trace Adkins, the Challenge of Champions Tour, and Crash 4 Cash headline the 2026 fair, which runs July 30 through Aug. 2.
Health Advisory Issued for Odell Lake After Cyanotoxins Detected
Oregon health officials issued a recreational use advisory for Odell Lake after water samples found cyanotoxins above safe recreation levels. Visitors should avoid swimming and other activities that could lead to swallowing or inhaling water near visible algae blooms.
Ashland Police Arrest Man After Strong-Arm Robbery
A Grants Pass man was arrested after Ashland police said he pulled a woman from a car, stole her purse and fled toward Interstate 5. Officers recovered some of the stolen property, and the victim did not report any injuries.
Fast-Moving Brush Fire Threatens Structures in Klamath Falls
Firefighters stopped a fast-moving brush fire after flames raced uphill through tall grass and threatened several structures along Alisa Lane in Klamath Falls. No buildings were damaged, and the cause remains under investigation.
All Evacuations Canceled as Crews Search East Evans Creek Fire for Hotspots
All evacuation notices and road closures associated with the East Evans Creek Fire have been lifted as firefighters continue searching for hidden heat. The fire remains at 15,580 acres and 66% containment, with infrared-equipped aircraft guiding mop-up and three chippers supporting suppression repair.
Man Convicted in 1977 Klamath Falls Mass Shooting Dies in Custody
Dewitt C. Henry, who was convicted of killing six people outside a Klamath Falls restaurant 1977, died July 25 at Snake River Correctional Institution. Henry, 75, had been in state custody since 1979 and was serving six consecutive life sentences.
Florida Team Takes Command as East Evans Creek Fire Reaches 66% Containment
Containment on the East Evans Creek Fire has climbed to 66% as a Florida incident management team assumes command. Firefighters have completed more than 300 feet of mop-up in many areas, while hose and equipment continue coming off secured portions of the 15,580-acre fire.
Medford Man Dies in Highway 26 Semi-Truck Crash Near Sandy
A 62-year-old Medford man died Thursday night after the semi-truck he was driving struck another semi that had stopped in the westbound lane of Highway 26 near Sandy, according to Oregon State Police. The highway was affected for approximately five hours.
Two Bend Children Missing, Believed to Be in Danger (UPDATED)
The Oregon Department of Human Services is asking for help finding Julian Hawes, 10, and Mahina Hawes, 9, who have been missing from Bend since July 23. The children are believed to be in danger and may be in Bend or Redmond.
East Evans Creek Fire Reaches 54% Containment as Crews Begin Pulling Hose
Containment on the East Evans Creek Fire has increased to 54% as crews push mop-up beyond 200 feet in many areas and begin removing hose and equipment from the western perimeter. The fire remains at 15,580 acres, with a Florida incident management team set to take command Monday.
East Evans Creek Fire Reaches 46% Containment as Night Operations Shift to Patrol
Containment on the East Evans Creek Fire has increased to 46% as crews continue deep mop-up and prepare to shift overnight operations to patrol. Improved field mapping reduced the official size to 15,580 acres, while seven helicopters remain available and a new incident management team will assume command Monday.
Former Eagle Point School Employee Sentenced to Jail, Ordered to Register as Sex Offender
An Eagle Point woman has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of supervised probation after being convicted of third-degree sexual abuse and furnishing alcohol to a person under 21. The case began in 2024 and involved a victim who was 17 at the time, prosecutors said.
East Evans Creek Fire Reaches 38% Containment as Evacuations Ease Again
Containment on the East Evans Creek Fire has increased to 38% as firefighters push deeper into mop-up and evacuation levels ease again. The fire remains at 15,705 acres with minimal smoke visible, while crews begin suppression repair and remove equipment from increasingly secure portions of the incident.
Klamath Falls Pair Arrested After Burglary at Eagle Point Purple Parrot
Two Klamath Falls residents were arrested after an early-morning burglary at the Purple Parrot in Eagle Point. Police say the suspects fled on an electric scooter before officers used a drone, K-9 team and coordinated search to locate them.