The Oregon State Fire Marshal has awarded nearly $6 million to 180 local fire agencies through the 2026 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant. The funding will help agencies add seasonal firefighters or additional shift coverage through October as Oregon prepares for the upcoming wildfire season.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two unrelated suspects Thursday night after a shots-fired call near Gold Hill led to a pursuit and a separate arrest connected to the original report. Deputies say one suspect was arrested after fleeing in a truck, while another was later arrested after firearms were found in a second vehicle.

Klamath County Fire District 1 responded to a two-story residential structure fire Wednesday in the 1900 block of Auburn Street in Klamath Falls. Crews found heavy fire at the rear of the home extending into the second floor, but no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

The Medford Police Department says illegal encampments have declined significantly since 2023, while the city’s Livability Team has expanded outreach and case support services. According to the city, Medford reported 13 illegal encampments in March 2026, down from 186 in March 2023.

Medford’s Foothill Road Improvement Project is nearing completion, with work expected to wrap up by mid-summer. The $62 million project is upgrading Foothill Road from Delta Waters Road to Hillcrest Road with four lanes, turn lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, street lighting and other corridor improvements.

Bridge repair work is beginning on Oregon 62 at the Lost Creek Lake/Peyton Bridge north of Shady Cove. ODOT says drivers should expect a single-lane work zone, reduced speeds, automated traffic control and short delays through fall 2026 as crews repair the bridge deck, joints, pavement and guardrails.

A group of southern Oregon school district superintendents and Asante Health representatives visited Klamath Falls for a closer look at a growing healthcare education partnership. The tour highlighted how local schools, Sky Lakes Medical Center and Klamath Community College are connecting students with classroom instruction, college credit and hands-on clinical experience.

The City of Ashland and Ashland Chamber of Commerce say they are working with ODOT to address concerns about downtown curb construction and its impact on small businesses. After a joint letter and meeting, ODOT agreed to adjust staging, improve signage, review work zones and increase communication during the project.

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.

Ashland Police, the Ashland School District and Ashland Rotary partnered for the Ashland READS program, a literacy celebration for local first-grade students. The event included new books for students, a high school percussion welcome and a community BBQ served with help from Ashland Police officers.

Jackson County Emergency Management will conduct its annual pre-fire season test of the Jackson Alerts mass notification system on Friday, May 1. The test will include alerts sent to registered users and a live Emergency Alert System message broadcast through local radio and cable television.

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.

Linkville Playhouse will host a fashion show and costume sale Friday night at Yesterday’s Plaza, offering community members a chance to browse costumes from past productions while supporting the local nonprofit theater. The fundraiser will include raffles, cupcakes and a special auction package tied to The Devil Wears Prada 2.

A reported threat led to a lockdown at North Valley High School Tuesday morning. Deputies searched the campus and found no weapons, while all district schools were placed in secure status as a precaution.

A new 270-degree movie experience is coming to Medford as Cinemark introduces ScreenX at Tinseltown, expanding select scenes beyond the main screen for a more immersive theater experience.

The Klamath Tribes’ Wildland Fire Program is supporting wildfire response efforts across the United States while continuing to strengthen local fire protection and workforce development in the Chiloquin area.

Klamath Falls has been named a 2025 Tree City USA for the 23rd consecutive year, recognizing its long-standing commitment to urban forestry and community sustainability.

A precautionary lockdown at Malin Elementary School was lifted Tuesday after police responded to reports of individuals attempting to access secured doors. Authorities say no active threat was ever identified.

The Oregon Army National Guard is hosting an open house and a Norwegian Foot March in Medford this May, inviting the public to connect with local soldiers and participate.

Two separate incidents along Redwood Highway near Cave Junction—a trailer crash and a rockfall event—temporarily disrupted traffic over a two-day period, officials said.