Samantha joined the NewsWatch 12 team in June of 2020.

Title: Reporter/Producer

samanthadidion@kdrv.com

Samantha joined the NewsWatch 12 team as a reporter/producer in June 2020 after graduating from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio.

During Samantha’s time at AU she wore a variety of hats. Outside of the classroom and during all four years at AU, Samantha was an athlete on the track and field team. It was being a part of this team where Samantha learned her golden rule and biggest piece of advice for life: Always be coachable. In the classroom she was an anchor, reporter, and the sports producer for Ashland’s television station as well as the managing editor for the school’s multimedia website. In the summer of 2019, she was a newsroom intern at WEWS News5 Good Morning Cleveland where her passion for listening and storytelling through video only grew.

Samantha is lucky enough to share her hometown of Sandusky, Ohio with Cedar Point, also known as the roller coaster capital of the world. Being from Ohio, Samantha is a fan of all Cleveland sport-- yes, even the Browns.

Growing up in a large family with 5 kids is what Samantha believes helped her become a well-rounded journalist and great listener.

Samantha brought a little piece of home to the West Coast with her in the form of fluffy, four-legged friend named Java Bean. Java is Samantha’s adopted German Shepard-mix that is always glued to her side! In Samantha’s free time you can find her and Java side by side (or with Java far ahead) exploring the Rogue Valley.

To reach out to Samantha or for cute pictures of Java you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Phoenix-Talent schools return for in-person learning

The Phoenix-Talent School District has welcomed students in elementary through 8th grade back into the building.

Sacred Heart School set to reopen Jan. 19th

Sacred Heart School set to reopen Jan. 19th for kindergarten through 8th grade.

OHA reported 8 new deaths and 1,421 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported that COVID-19 has claimed eight more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 1,500.

Jackson County reported 115 new cases on Sunday, no new deaths

Jackson County Public Health reports 115 new COVID-19 cases on January 3, 2021.

OHA reports 1,010 new cases and 2 new deaths Saturday

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reporting 2 new deaths related to COVID-19, raising the state’s death toll to 1,492.OHA reported 1,010 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 today bringing the state total to 116,348.

A car crash in Josephine County leaves around 500 people without power

A vehicle crash in the 6700 block of New Hope Road has taken out power lines and put about 500 people in the dark.

OHA reports 36 new deaths and over one thousand new cases Saturday

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 36 more deaths due to COVID-19 in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 1,340.

Jackson County reports 67 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday

A previously reported case has been removed bringing the county total to 2,340 for Coronavirus cases.

Alex Trebek from "Jeopardy!" passed away Sunday

Jeopardy! announced this morning that host Alex Trebek passed away Sunday morning after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jackson County reports 36 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday

A previously reported case has been transferred to another jurisdiction based on residency. These updates bring the total reported COVID-19 cases in Jackson County to 1,911 total cases.

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 131258

Reported Deaths: 1758

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 2916309

Reported Deaths: 32851