Regional News

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.

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.

Nearly 200 abandoned Dungeness crab traps found off the Del Norte County coast have led to major penalties for two commercial fishermen. California wildlife officers documented 194 abandoned traps near the Klamath and Smith rivers, along with additional violations involving reporting, gear marking, trap servicing, and the waste of hundreds of crabs.

ODFW will give away free wildlife forage seed Sept. 24 to Southwest Oregon landowners in Central Point, Grants Pass, and Gold Beach. Each landowner can receive up to two 15-pound bags while supplies last.

Jason Turner was picking up fireworks trash at Point St. George Beach near Crescent City when an explosive device went off, causing severe injuries. His family says Turner lost a hand, is facing more surgeries and is dealing with vision and hearing loss.

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.

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.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 13 civil penalties in April totaling more than $3.4 million. The enforcement actions included major wastewater penalties tied to Pacific Seafood facilities in Charleston and Brookings, along with a solid waste case in Wolf Creek.

Fire season will officially begin Friday, May 22, in Klamath and Lake counties. The Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District and partner agencies are moving into coordinated fire season operations, with Moderate fire danger and IFPL I restrictions taking effect.

More than $26.4 million in new state shelter funding has been awarded to regional coordinators serving Southern Oregon, the South Coast, and Central Oregon. The awards are part of more than $102 million announced statewide through Oregon’s Statewide Shelter Program.

A missing 2-year-old child was found safe Wednesday evening after a multi-agency search in the Cal Pines subdivision of Modoc County. The Modoc County Sheriff’s Office says the child was located about 1.5 miles from her residence and treated for very minor injuries.

Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road are open for the season after Deschutes County crews completed snow-clearing work earlier than many years. County officials said the work moved faster because of this year’s warm winter and limited snowfall in the Central Oregon Cascades.

Youth ages 6 through 15 can take part in hands-on ATV, motorcycle and side-by-side safety evaluation classes May 30 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeview. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says pre-registration is required, a parent or guardian must be present, and riders must bring their own properly fitted vehicle and required safety gear.

A new California welcome monument has been added along U.S. 101 at the California-Oregon border in Del Norte County. The project, made possible through Caltrans and Clean California, follows a similar border monument along Highway 199 and is intended to create a stronger first impression for travelers entering the state.

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 Eugene woman was killed late Saturday night after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Highway 42 in Douglas County, according to Oregon State Police. The crash temporarily impacted traffic for about four hours as investigators worked the scene.

The Yurok Tribe has planted thousands more native species at Prairie Creek as the future ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway and Restoration Project moves closer to opening to the public.

Two hikers were rescued on South Sister after one suffered a medical issue and mild hypothermia during a descent, prompting an overnight response from Deschutes County Search and Rescue crews.

Nearly $48.7 million in federal Secure Rural Schools funding is headed to Oregon counties, with Southern Oregon communities receiving some of the largest allocations in the state. Douglas, Klamath, Jackson, and Josephine counties are among the top recipients.

Lake County District Attorney Paul Charas is resigning just over a year into his term, saying chronic underfunding has made it increasingly difficult to prosecute cases. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Charas cited staffing shortages, minimal trial resources, and the strain of serving as the county’s only prosecutor.

A fatal crash on Interstate 5 near Canyonville left one person dead and three others injured after a stalled commercial motor vehicle was struck on an uphill grade, according to Oregon State Police. The collision caused the involved vehicles to catch fire, and investigators said impairment is believed to be a contributing factor. The commercial truck driver was arrested and charged with DUII and manslaughter following the incident.

A Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver was arrested on suspicion of DUII and reckless endangering after transportation staff reported concerns that she appeared intoxicated while operating a school bus. According to Bend Police, the driver had completed one student route and was preparing for another when she was removed from duty. Authorities later reported she registered a 0.16 percent blood alcohol content approximately seven hours after initial testing.

The initial irrigation water allocation for the Klamath Project in 2026 is expected to fall significantly short of agricultural needs, according to the Klamath Water Users Association. The Bureau of Reclamation announced 221,000 acre-feet from Upper Klamath Lake, just over half of what is typically required. Officials say drought conditions, minimal snowpack, and regulatory constraints are contributing factors, and more than 40,000 acres may need to be idled this season.

A missing and endangered Lake County man has been located deceased in a remote area of Green Mountain. Warren Sherman, 70, had been reported missing after last being seen March 31 in the Christmas Valley area. Officials say no foul play is suspected, and multiple agencies assisted in the coordinated search effort.

An injured snowboarder was rescued near Broken Top after a multi-agency response involving a Black Hawk helicopter and 22 SAR volunteers. Crews navigated steep, snow-covered terrain and changing weather conditions to reach the woman. She was stabilized and flown to a Bend hospital for treatment.

A Bend man was arrested for the second time in a month after threatening a deputy and fleeing on a motorcycle in Deschutes River Woods. The incident prompted a large law enforcement response and temporarily halted train traffic in the area. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and faces additional charges.

A Beaverton man was rescued after falling approximately 20 feet onto rocks near Frankport along the Curry County coast. First responders located the injured hiker in a cave and transported him to Curry General Hospital for treatment.

An early morning structure fire in Bend caused extensive damage to a home after flames spread through the attic, leading to roof collapse. The occupant safely evacuated after being alerted by a smoke alarm, and firefighters contained the blaze within minutes. Total losses are estimated at approximately $480,000, including damage to the structure, contents, and a vehicle.

A Douglas County narcotics investigation led to the seizure of nearly 22 pounds of methamphetamine along with cocaine, fentanyl, and bulk cash, according to authorities. Detectives conducted surveillance, deployed a K-9, and executed search warrants on both a vehicle and residence in Camas Valley. Three individuals were arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail in connection with the distribution case.

A new welcome monument has been installed along U.S. 199 at the California-Oregon border in Del Norte County, offering travelers a refreshed gateway into California. The project, funded through Caltrans and the Clean California initiative, is part of broader statewide beautification efforts, with another monument planned along U.S. 101.