HWD Public Safety

The Oregon State Police is leading an investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting Friday morning in Klamath Falls. Authorities said Klamath Falls police responded to a domestic disturbance and welfare check request on East Main Street, where officers encountered an armed adult male. A minor child was injured during the incident and is in stable condition.

A Siskiyou County traffic stop on May 29 led to the discovery of 18 kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at $1.9 million, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the suspected drugs were found inside an aftermarket hidden compartment after a Mount Shasta Police Department K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics.

Medford police are investigating an animal neglect case after officers responding to a welfare check Thursday in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place found evidence that led to a search warrant. Investigators said multiple live and deceased cats were later located on the property, with Jackson County Animal Control taking custody of the surviving animals.

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.

Medford police have identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal assault as 43-year-old Nicole Marie Dominguez. Investigators say 19-year-old Darius McCree-Santangelo was located about 20 minutes after the initial call and lodged at the Jackson County Jail on a second-degree murder charge.

Medford police are investigating a homicide after an adult woman was found with significant injuries Tuesday afternoon near Welch Street and West Jackson Street. Police said a person of interest is in custody and there is no known threat to the public.

A 22-year-old man died Tuesday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Highland Avenue in Grants Pass. Police said Gabriel Davis was killed when his car veered into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle.

The Ashland Police Department has introduced Cisco, a 20-month-old yellow lab donated by Dogs For Better Lives, as its new facility service dog. Cisco will support APD’s wellness program, assist in community settings and help create a calming environment during sensitive interactions.

A DUII crash Sunday night caused significant structural damage to the nearly 100-year-old Lampman Road Bridge over Galls Creek in Gold Hill, forcing Jackson County officials to close the bridge indefinitely to all vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

ODF Southwest says forward progress has been stopped on the Hilt Fire burning near the 2000 block of Colestin Road in southern Jackson County. The grass fire is estimated at 15 to 20 acres, with Level 1 evacuation notices issued for zones JAC-564 and JAC-566.

Medford Police arrested 21-year-old Ivan Ortiz after a Friday night shooting near In-N-Out on Crater Lake Highway left a 19-year-old man hospitalized with a gunshot wound.

A mower sparked a grass fire Sunday afternoon on Ament Road near Moon Mountain, according to Rural Metro Fire. Firefighters from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District controlled the fire at 1.75 acres with no structural damage reported.

The U.S. Forest Service says it has more than 28,000 responders ready for the 2026 wildfire season, along with hotshot crews, engines, aircraft, contractors and a national logistics system designed to move resources quickly when fires start.

An 84-year-old man has been arrested after a fatal shooting early Friday morning in the 500 block of Market Street in Klamath Falls. Police said the victim later died at Sky Lakes Medical Center, and detectives found discrepancies between the suspect’s initial account and evidence gathered during the investigation.

Fire investigators say the Blackwell Road Fire near Central Point was accidental and began from spontaneous heating inside a large mulch pile. Strong winds pushed the fire through nearby materials, across Tolo Road and into grass fields, burning a combined 50 acres.

A vacant structure near Oregon Highway 39 and Roberta Drive in Klamath Falls was destroyed in an overnight fire Thursday, according to Klamath County Fire District 1. Fire officials said crews encountered heavy fire throughout the building and later shifted to a defensive strategy because of fire conditions and structural instability.

A child exploitation investigation tied to Discord led to a search warrant Wednesday morning at a rural Central Point residence. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the case began after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children connected uploaded child sexual abuse material to the address.

A driver was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 5 near Wolf Creek. Rural Metro Fire, responding on behalf of Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District, said firefighters removed the vehicle’s roof and windshield to extricate the driver.

Evacuation levels have been reduced Tuesday morning for the Blackwell Fire near rural Central Point after crews completed a containment line around the fire perimeter overnight. Jackson County Fire District 3 says no homes were lost or damaged, though several outbuildings and industrial-type buildings were damaged inside the fire area.

Evacuation levels will remain in place overnight for the Blackwell Road fire near rural Central Point, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Forward progression of the grassfire has been stopped, but firefighters remain active in the area, with overnight roadblocks continuing near Tolo Road, Nellis Road and Merita Terrace.

Phoenix Police say a Saturday morning domestic violence call involving a firearm led to the arrest of a 23-year-old woman after officers responded to a residence in northwest Phoenix. Police said officers safely detained the involved people and later located the firearm after it had initially been hidden.

Medford Police say an early morning shots-fired call on South Holly Street led to a SWAT response after several people refused to come out of a residence. Officers reported no injuries and said one man was jailed on multiple firearm and domestic violence-related charges.

Klamath County Fire District 1 has closed all open burning within its district boundaries due to increasing fire danger and the onset of fire season conditions. The closure applies to Klamath Falls and surrounding areas, while barbecues, cooking appliances, and certain contained fire pits remain allowed under specific safety rules.

Jacksonville Police Department responded to several calls during the week of May 11 through May 17, including a reported grass fire on Highway 238, a small fire near a downtown business, traffic-related arrests, and a dirt bike eluding case. Officers also participated in wildfire preparedness and public safety events.

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.

A Grants Pass man is hospitalized with serious injuries after authorities say he drove the wrong way onto Interstate 5 near Rogue River and crashed head-on into an oncoming SUV. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says the incident began when a deputy attempted to stop a speeding Toyota pickup on Rogue River Highway.

An 18-year-old Klamath Falls resident died Saturday morning after being struck by a commercial vehicle on Highway 97 near milepost 264, according to Oregon State Police.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a 47-year-old pedestrian early Saturday morning in the Gold Hill area. Investigators say the suspect vehicle may have damage to the headlight, hood, or windshield.

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.