Memorial Day Travel Begins
5:38 pmAAA officials say Thursday marks the start of the Memorial Day travel holiday, meaning lots of folks out on the roadways. AAA officials say gas will probably go up after Friday. Despite that predicted hike, AAA says fuel is still cheaper this year.
Oregon Gets Timber Dollar Boost
5:14 pmBeginning next week, another $2 million in federal timber payments will be paid out to Oregon counties. In February, the BLM reduced the secure rural schools funding paid to 18 Oregon counties by 10% in anticipation of sequestration.
Medford Warns of Fire Fuel Risk
4:00 pmFire officials say flames can race through fields because they're filled with fuel. It's dry and there's a lot of it. Medford firefighters say fire season will be here soon. Medford residents need to ensure their lawns are mowed and weeds are trimmed.
Local Banks Helping Relieve Oklahoma
3:43 pmThe American Red Cross and U.S. Bank have partnered to accept donations at more than 2,000 select U.S. Bank ATMs across the country. Locations in Southern Oregon and Northern California are set up to receive donations from U.S. Bank customers.
"Reason to Hope" Breakfast
2:47 pmThursday morning, the Alzheimer’s Association: Oregon Chapter announced it is opening an office in Southern Oregon. Right now, it's based out of Portland and Eugene, but in July, the services will expand to our area of the state.
Reduced Parks Funding in Ashland
11:12 amThe Parks Commission says it has been viewed as its own entity, unlike other city departments. It has received its own separate funding, but a measure passed in 1997 combined all of the city's funding, giving the city control over the parks budget.
New AARP Survey of Rogue Valley
5:37 pmThe results of a new AARP livability survey for Jackson and Josephine County are the first of its kind in Oregon. AARP received a completed survey in the mail from 1,500 Jackson and Josephine County registered voters aged 50 and older.
Suicide in Jackson County Jail
4:49 pmThe 19-year-old inmate was in police custody for robbery and had recently wrapped up a different case where his charges had been reduced to failure to register as a sex offender. The sheriff says he was found in his jail cell after committing suicide
Oregon Coast Aquarium Visits School
3:23 pmSince a field trip to the coast isn't a possibility for some Rogue Valley students, the coast is coming to them. It's part of the Oregon Coast Aquarium's education program. The outreach team stopped by Hoover Elementary School on Wednesday morning.
Medford Warns of Approaching Fire Season
11:56 amThe City of Medford's weeds and grass ordinance takes effect beginning June 1st. According to the City's Municipal Code section 7.430, any property with uncontrolled/unmaintained grass, weeds, brush, or any like vegetation over 10 inches.
Fire Destroys Barn
11:29 amA fire took down a barn on Rogue River Ranch on Tuesday afternoon. The ranch is out on Table Rock Road and fire fighters headed that way around 5:30 p.m. The owners or Rogue River Ranch would not allow NewsWatch12 cameras on the property.
Medford School Board Elections
11:28 pmCandidates were vying for three positions on the Medford School Board on Election Night. Initial results show Larry Nicholson leading for Position 1, and incumbents Jeff Thomas and Tricia Prendergast leading for Positions 2 and 3.
Ingredients of the Moore, OK Tornado
9:47 pmAfter the devastating EF-5 Oklahoman tornado tore through the town of Moore, many are wondering what exactly allowed for a storm of this nature to develop. Just a day before, the Oklahoma City area was targeted with numerous tornado touch downs.
Special Election: Initial Results
8:08 pmPreliminary numbers are coming in for the special election. Here's what we have so far for local School Board races, Measure 17-49 Law Enforcement Levy in Josephine County, Measure 17-52 GPSD # 7 Bond - Grant Pass School Bond Measure...
Cancer Prevention Study in Medford
6:32 pmOregonians are getting the chance to be a part of the National Cancer Prevention Study. Asante & the American Cancer Society will enroll local volunteers in the Cancer Prevention Study-3. You must be 30-65 years of age & never diagnosed with cancer.
Missing Jackson County Man Found
6:10 pm39 year old John C. Mattos, is described as 5 feet 11 inches, about 180 pounds. Mattos was last seen wearing a yellow baseball hat, glasses with tape on one of the eye lenses, a Carhartt sweatshirt or jacket with a hood, blue jeans, and tennis shoes.
Healthcare Training for Gay Community
5:20 pmFor the first time in Southern Oregon, and only the second time in the state, a training is being held to help the aging gay community with health care needs. Rogue Valley Council of Governments' Senior & Disability Services' is holding the training.
Oklahoma Highlights School Safety
4:55 pmWhether it's a natural disaster like what happened in Oklahoma it's bringing attention to what schools are doing to keep kids safe. School officials say tornado risk might be low here in Oregon, but there are plenty of other emergency scenarios.
Burglary Steals $30,000 Worth of Items
4:35 pmMedford Police are investigating the burglary of a Medford home in which the intruders got away with $30,000 worth of items. Police say the burglary occurred during the day Monday at a home on Marissa Circle in east Medford.
Ballot Drop Sites Open Until 8 p.m.
3:40 pmCounties across Oregon that are taking part in the May 2013 Special Election need voter ballots by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. It is too late for voters to mail in their ballots. However, ballots can be returned to any of official drop-off site.
Ballot Turn-out Low This Election
3:37 pmJackson Co. elections officials say it's a difference today compared to last fall's general election. The line of cars in front of the ballot drop-off is not as long, and the elections office has been less busy, as expected in a special election.
Police Search for Suspected Burglar
3:06 pmMedford Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying an alleged suspect in a burglary. Police say, on Monday morning around 8 a.m., an unknown suspect was able to access the ACME Computers building on 16 N. Riverside by unknown means.
Medford Urban Renewal Agency to Close
4:48 pmAfter 25 years, the Medford Urban Renewal Agency, or MURA, is soon to be done. The agency is preparing to spend its last few dollars, $10.5 million. The Downtown Commons was one of the many projects the Urban Renewal Agency helped orchestrate.
Red Cross Volunteers Return from Academy
3:07 pmSeveral Red Cross volunteers are back in Southern Oregon after learning how to respond during a disaster. Red Cross volunteers say they need to know how to respond quickly during an emergency, in order to provide help to the victims and the community
Teen Shooting Highlights Gun Safety
2:51 pmSeveral Jackson County Sheriff deputies set up a perimeter around the 4000 block of Tioga Way in Central Point around 2 p.m. Monday. They say a teenage boy fired shots outside and threatened to shoot anyone who responded.
iPhone App Leads Officers to Burglar
12:03 pmMedford Police responded to an early morning burglary this past Friday. When waking up, the victims noticed the sliding glass door that had been left open the previous night was then closed. Among the missing items was an iPhone.
Cops and Rodders Draws Crowd
8:13 pmRestored police cars and classic cars from the 1930s were on display in Medford Sunday to raise money for a local charity. The funding raised at the event benefits the Downs Syndrome Association of Southern Oregon. The event was free to the public.
Agility Training for Medford Fire
7:35 pmMedford fire is limbering up for agility training day. It’s an annual requirement for the entire force, and part of an ongoing 11-week training academy. The timed training ranged from climbing ladders, to running and hauling heavy equipment.
Medford Mom Seeks Help for Dying Heart
7:26 pmJessica Szoyka suffers from a rare a heart condition that could cause a fatal heart attack at any moment. But insurance won't cover the open heart surgery that could save her life. Now she and her fiance are turning to fundraising for support.
Crews Clean Up Hazardous Leak
4:25 pmCrews evacuated a Talent rest area after a truck reported a hazardous material spill. Just before 11 a.m. Sunday Fire District 5 and Medford Fire crews responded to milepost 22 along I-5. About a half a cup of formaldehyde leaked from the vehicle.
Students Wash Cars for Sparrow
10:45 pmMcGloughlin Middle School students are raising money for their Sparrow. Brandi Moore has been struggling with Lupus over the past year. Her friends have been raising money to pay back a local bank that donated $2,500 for her medical services.
Police Search Grass Fire Field
10:36 pmJust before 10 p.m. Saturday fire crews from Fire District 3 and Medford Fire responded to a report of a grass fire off of Vilas Road. Crews say the fire was knocked down in two minutes. Medford Police also responded and searched the area.
Animal Shelter Fate Tied to Tax Levy
7:40 pmThis Tuesday, Josephine County voters will take their stance on the proposed public safety tax levy. Among the more unlikely services in that levy is animal control. Now the Josephine County Animal Shelter is making their case for funding.
Grants Pass Holds Safety Awareness Day
7:22 pmToday is safety awareness day in Grants Pass. Residents young and old came down to the Grants Pass shopping center for the town's safety day event. Visitors climbed aboard fire engines, got free bike helmets, and watched judo demonstrations.
Family Reunited After Kidnapping
5:46 pmA family is now reunited after an early morning kidnapping at the 7-Eleven on 6th Street in Grants Pass. Just after 8 a.m., a resident reported his vehicle had been stolen while his two small children were in it. Officers located the children.
Police Arrest Assault Suspect
1:55 pmPolice responded to a report of an assault around 4:45 p.m. Friday at a hotel on South Riverside in Medford. Medford Police officers say a female victim suffering from "extensive injuries" escaped a room where she was being held against her will.
VA to Cut into Veterans Claims Backlog
11:14 pmThe Department of Veterans Affairs plans to mandate overtime from disability claims workers in order to cut into a backlog of more than 800,000 veterans who are still waiting on claims.
United Way Day of Caring
7:09 pmThe United Way of Jackson County helps put on the Day of Caring every year, and volunteers have stepped up to help non-profits and other community orgs. This weekend, hundreds of volunteers are set to get to work, and some are getting a head start.
Officers Train to Help Mentally Ill
6:54 pmOfficers are working to better understand and help the mentally ill. This week, members from every law enforcement agency are doing what's called a crisis intervention training. In 12 months, everyone from the MPD will be trained.
Locals Buying Tickets for Powerball
5:32 pmRogue Valley residents were already buying tickets for Saturday’s drawing. Store officials at Ray's Food Place in Jacksonville say their store in particular sees more traffic when the jackpot reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
Talent Students Learn About Japan
5:07 pmAn already bilingual classroom at Talent Elementary becomes tri-lingual for the day. The Japan-America Society of Oregon designed a special “on the road” program to teach kids about life in Japan. Three Japanese women joined the class for a few hours
Officials Discuss Middle School Fire
4:50 pmEarlier, a fire caused a delay at Ashland Middle School, and police are not releasing many details about the fire investigation, but police say the student has been identified and is cooperating with police. The school was evacuated Tuesday morning.
Taking Flight: "Walk for Williams"
3:04 pmThis weekend, you can lace up your tennis shoes to bring attention to a disorder only 1 in 10,000 people have. The "Walk for Williams Awareness Walk and 5k Run" is happening Saturday. The goal is to put "Williams Syndrome" in the spotlight.
Relay for Life in Ashland
12:47 pmThe American Cancer Society's Relay for Life will take over raider stadium for 24 hours. Each year, more than four million people in over 20 countries pledge their time to walk in order to raise money for the relay for life movement.
Local Clinics Get “Cover Oregon” Grants
12:32 pm4 clinics in Southern Oregon qualify for a grant to help connect residents to "Cover Oregon," which is the new online health insurance marketplace. Cover Oregon is supposed to go live later this year. They announced they are eligible for $2.8 million
Child Sent to Hospital After Car Crash
12:28 pmA young child was sent to the hospital and a driver put in handcuffs after a car crash in Central Point. Police are now investigating whether that driver was under the influence. The crash happened last night, near the Pilot station on Pine Street.
New Online Tax Credit in Jackson County
5:26 pmThere is an economic boost for Jackson County businesses doing work over the Internet. The county can now offer a tax credit to businesses increasing their online presence. The benefit would provide a 25% income tax credit for qualifying companies.
New Building in Bella Vista Heights
4:47 pmOn Thursday, commuters saw the waterfall at Bella Vista Heights running again, and officials say the water flowing is a sign the housing industry is on the upswing. The land at Bella Vista Heights has been vacant for years, since the housing market.
Benbow Appears in Court
4:15 pmA Seattle man was arraigned in a Jackson County Courtroom after his child ate methamphetamine. Elijah Benbow appeared in court to be officially charged with possession of drugs, driving under the influence and child endangerment charges.
Britt Festival 2013 Tickets Now On Sale
2:16 pmWith a month to go before this year's Britt Festival gets underway ticket sales are already up from last year. Nearly 100 people lined up at the box office as ticket sales opened. The first people in line set up camp around 5 a.m.
