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.

Tornado confirmed on perimeter of Bootleg Fire

Today officials posted on the Bootleg Fire Facebook page that a tornado was confirmed on the eastern perimeter of the Bootleg Fire on July 18, 2021.

Free concert at Emigrant Lake will honor 2020 wildfire victims

On Friday July 23, 2021 a free concert will be held at Emigrant Lake to honor the wildfire victims and responders of the South Obenchain and the Almeda Fires. The concert will begin at 7 pm at shelter D.

4H and FFA members excited to be back at the Jackson County Fairgrounds

4-H and FFA members are excited to be back in person at the Jackson County Fair. This comes after last year was done virtually due to the pandemic.

Jackson County Fair prepares for long-awaited return on Wednesday

Rides are all set up and ready to welcome people back to the fair for the first time in two years.

Car crashes into Lil' Pantry on Table Rock Rd

The Manager of Lil' Pantry on Table Rock Road in Central Point tells Newswatch 12 that last night a car smashed through the front doors of the store.

Air conditioning concerns rise during extreme temperatures

With the excessive heat warning in our area, Caveman Heating and Cooling says they have had an increase in calls related to air conditioning units burning out.

Jackson County Fair happening at 100% capacity

Jackson County Fair will be happening at 100% capacity on July 14th through the 18th.

OHA reports 227 new covid-19 cases and 2 new deaths

There are two new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,763, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday June 26, 2021.

Fire Crews Make Steady Progress on Cutoff Fire Near Bonanza

Fire managers estimate that over half of the fire’s 1,500-acre perimeter has been lined. Containment sits at 10%.

OHA reports 289 new COVID-19 cases and 3 new deaths

The OHA is reporting there are three new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,753.

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 224547

Reported Deaths: 2877

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 4003787

Reported Deaths: 64620