HWD News

Jackson County Search and Rescue located a missing 28-year-old man deceased Wednesday morning near the Lower Table Rock cliffs. Officials say the death appears to be non-criminal and the investigation remains ongoing.

Airmen at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls are participating in a series of summer training exercises designed to strengthen readiness and operational skills. The training includes a deployment to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, field exercises in Central Oregon, and simulated deployment scenarios at Kingsley Field to prepare personnel for a wide range of mission environments.

The President’s proposed 2027 federal budget includes $80 million for construction of a new F-35 Academic Training Center at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls. The funding, announced by Congressman Cliff Bentz, would support the base’s transition from the F-15C to the F-35A Lightning II and expand academic training infrastructure for U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard personnel. The project is aimed at strengthening pilot training capabilities while reinforcing Kingsley Field’s long-term role in national defense and regional economic activity.

A driver was arrested following a multi-vehicle crash on Crater Lake Highway in the Medford area that caused congestion and prompted a reconstruction investigation. Police said intoxication contributed to the collision, which resulted in injuries to other drivers. The roadway has since reopened.

A fatal crash on Interstate 5 near Canyonville left one person dead and three others injured after a stalled commercial motor vehicle was struck on an uphill grade, according to Oregon State Police. The collision caused the involved vehicles to catch fire, and investigators said impairment is believed to be a contributing factor. The commercial truck driver was arrested and charged with DUII and manslaughter following the incident.

Klamath Falls has been named a 2026 IMBA Trail Town, a national designation recognizing communities that prioritize trail development, outdoor recreation access, and long-term stewardship. The city was one of just 28 selected nationwide and one of only two in Oregon, highlighting the growing role of trails in supporting tourism, economic development, and community engagement.

A Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver was arrested on suspicion of DUII and reckless endangering after transportation staff reported concerns that she appeared intoxicated while operating a school bus. According to Bend Police, the driver had completed one student route and was preparing for another when she was removed from duty. Authorities later reported she registered a 0.16 percent blood alcohol content approximately seven hours after initial testing.

Several Southern Oregon airports, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, and Klamath Falls, are set to receive federal funding as part of a more than $27 million statewide investment aimed at improving aviation infrastructure. Projects include runway and taxiway resurfacing, lighting upgrades, pavement rehabilitation, and safety enhancements designed to support emergency response, business travel, and regional connectivity across Southern Oregon and nearby coastal communities.

The initial irrigation water allocation for the Klamath Project in 2026 is expected to fall significantly short of agricultural needs, according to the Klamath Water Users Association. The Bureau of Reclamation announced 221,000 acre-feet from Upper Klamath Lake, just over half of what is typically required. Officials say drought conditions, minimal snowpack, and regulatory constraints are contributing factors, and more than 40,000 acres may need to be idled this season.

A missing and endangered Lake County man has been located deceased in a remote area of Green Mountain. Warren Sherman, 70, had been reported missing after last being seen March 31 in the Christmas Valley area. Officials say no foul play is suspected, and multiple agencies assisted in the coordinated search effort.

Ride the Rim at Crater Lake National Park has been cancelled for 2026 due to major construction projects affecting roads, trails, and visitor areas. Officials say the work includes improvements to East Rim Drive, Cleetwood Cove Trail and Marina, and other park facilities. While the event will not take place this year, the park will remain open to visitors, and planning is already underway to bring Ride the Rim back in 2027.

Construction on Medford Fire Station 15 continues to advance, with interior drywall nearing completion and kitchen cabinets now being installed. Exterior work is also progressing, including siding installation and preparation for concrete sidewalks and apparatus bay access. Crews continue responding from a temporary apparatus bay while the project moves forward.

Oregon Tech has received a $310,000 funding increase to expand its User Experience certificate programs, supporting scholarships, industry tools, and summer training opportunities. The grant will fund 66 full-tuition scholarships and provide students access to professional UX software used in the field. Officials say the program is designed for working professionals, career changers, and students looking to build practical UX skills.

Fire crews from multiple agencies responded Sunday morning to a structure fire at the Lions Club building in Cave Junction. Smoke was observed coming from the roofline upon arrival, and firefighters entered the building to confirm and extinguish the blaze. Utility crews and traffic control support were also requested, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an increase in gray wolf sightings near homes and a rise in livestock depredations this spring. Officials say at least 16 confirmed depredations have occurred since early February, including a recent incident in Butte Valley where two wolves were reported stalking dogs near a residence. Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue is calling for changes to California’s gray wolf management plan and urging residents to take precautions.

The Bonanza Clinic is marking 30 years of service after a grassroots community effort built the rural healthcare facility from the ground up in 1996. Following the sudden retirement of the area’s only physician, residents across Bonanza, Bly, Beatty, Dairy, Olene, and Sprague River mobilized to restore access to primary care. Volunteers donated labor, materials, and expertise to convert a former restaurant into a clinic, which has since provided more than 120,000 patient visits over three decades.

Bend Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect who allegedly pointed a handgun at an employee during an attempted armed robbery at Abby’s Legendary Pizza in northeast Bend. Investigators say the man cashed out an 86-cent ticket before threatening the worker and fleeing the scene on a black BMX bicycle Wednesday night.

HWD has introduced a new regional Weather Camera Hub that brings together more than 140 live cameras across Southern Oregon and Northern California into one convenient page. The collection includes feeds from transportation agencies, media outlets, and other providers, allowing readers to quickly check real-time road and weather conditions across major highways, mountain passes, and coastal routes.

A Medford man accused of 18 child sex crimes was arrested Thursday after an hours-long standoff in south Medford. Investigators say the case began after the suspect allegedly sent child sexual abuse material to undercover officers, leading to a search warrant and discovery of additional evidence.

A juvenile female was taken into custody Wednesday evening following a stabbing in Medford. Police say two juveniles were involved in a physical altercation in the roadway when one produced a knife, leaving the victim with multiple serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Klamath Water Users Association is warning of reduced irrigation water deliveries for the 2026 season due to extremely low snowpack. Officials say up to 40,000 acres may need to remain unirrigated to preserve water later in the year. A community meeting is planned to discuss conditions and next steps.

An injured snowboarder was rescued near Broken Top after a multi-agency response involving a Black Hawk helicopter and 22 SAR volunteers. Crews navigated steep, snow-covered terrain and changing weather conditions to reach the woman. She was stabilized and flown to a Bend hospital for treatment.

Klamath Community College has named Lucas Ritter as its new Vice President of External Programs. Ritter is a Klamath Falls native and longtime Air Force officer who will begin the role May 4. College officials say he will oversee outreach, grants, and workforce initiatives.

A Bend man was arrested for the second time in a month after threatening a deputy and fleeing on a motorcycle in Deschutes River Woods. The incident prompted a large law enforcement response and temporarily halted train traffic in the area. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and faces additional charges.

The Tillamook Forest Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary with events and a new exhibit highlighting forest history and restoration. The Oregon Department of Forestry says the center has served as a hands-on learning facility focused on forest ecology and stewardship. A public Birthday Bash is scheduled for April 4 to mark the milestone.

A Beaverton man was rescued after falling approximately 20 feet onto rocks near Frankport along the Curry County coast. First responders located the injured hiker in a cave and transported him to Curry General Hospital for treatment.

PacifiCorp residential customers in Oregon will see electricity bills increase starting April 1 after regulators approved a series of rate adjustments. Officials say the typical monthly bill is expected to rise by about $5.64, though actual impacts will vary by usage.

A vehicle pursuit early Tuesday morning in Josephine County ended in Grants Pass after deputies deployed spike strips multiple times and the suspect fled on foot. Authorities say the driver continued on three tires before stopping and being taken into custody.

A Medford man wanted on multiple felony child sex abuse charges was arrested Monday in White City by a U.S. Marshals-led task force. Authorities say the arrest followed a years-long investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, and additional federal charges were added after the suspect was booked into jail.

Horizon Air will close its Medford crew base effective May 31, transferring 78 pilots and flight attendants to other cities as the airline opens a new base in Las Vegas. Company officials said the move is due to the Medford base being its smallest and not sustainable for growth, but emphasized that scheduled flights to and from Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport will not be affected.