Local News

After two years of planning and collaboration, Medford City Council unanimously approved the ordinance establishing the Economic Improvement District (EID).

The approval marks an important step toward long-term, sustainable investment in downtown services, activation, and economic vitality.

Alongside this milestone, the Downtown Medford Association (DMA) is launching its Storefront Activation Program, a complementary initiative designed to reduce vacancies and support business growth in the downtown core. Funded by $25,000 from the City Council Community Initiative Fund, the program will focus on filling three to five vacant storefronts with businesses that align with downtown’s character and economic goals.

As part of the Storefront Activation Program, DMA will host a series of Reimagine Tours, which bring together property owners, prospective business owners, and community partners to explore available properties and discuss potential uses.

The upcoming Reimagine Tours will take place Thursday, January 29, Tuesday, February 24, and Thursday, April 9 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. RSVPs are required.

The next step in the EID process is a public hearing anticipated in mid-February, providing an opportunity for community members and property owners to share input on the proposed district before final consideration.

 

Nearly 200 Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment were formally welcomed home Sunday during a demobilization ceremony at South Medford High School.

The ceremony, presided over by Brigadier General Alan Gronewold, Oregon's adjutant general, honored the unit's nine-month deployment to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula as part of the Multinational Force and Observers mission.

The 205-soldier battalion, designated USBATT 74 during the deployment, served alongside military forces from 14 other nations supervising the implementation of security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace.

Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, battalion commander, said the mission provided security for two camps in the Sinai while operating remote observation sites monitoring key routes and airfields between Egypt and Israel.

The battalion worked most closely with forces from Fiji, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Uruguay, and Japan, participating in combined training exercises and sporting tournaments that built international relationships. The deployment also provided extensive training opportunities.

The battalion was mobilized Oct. 20, 2024, during a ceremony in Ashland and returned to Oregon on Oct. 3, 2025. Approximately 150 soldiers returned to Medford while about 50 service members arrived in Portland.

While most soldiers came from the 1-186th Infantry Regiment based in Southern Oregon, the deployment also included National Guard members from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and other Guard units across multiple states for specialized positions.

 

A rental home owner contacted 911 saying the short term renters of his property saw a woman trespassing in the backyard Thursday night.

At 9:39 p.m., the owner reported the guests, having just checked in that day, said there was a woman, Brook Mack, living in the detached garage on the property in the 100 block of SW I Street.

The renters had told the owner that Mack was washing her laundry in the machines inside the home. The owner requested Mack be trespassed from the property, and wished to pursue all applicable charges.

Grants Pass Police officers arrived and located the makeshift living space in the garage. Along with a running space heater, food, and other supplies, officers located an outbuilding next door being used as a bathroom, with feces piled up and toilet paper.

While back at the patrol vehicle, law enforcement was advised by the renters that Mack had returned. She, along with another suspect, Gabriel Feliciano, were contacted upon their arrival. Mack said she had been living in the garage for three weeks.

She was arrested for Burglary in the First and Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and Theft of Services. Feliciano was arrested on two warrants charging him with First Degree Criminal Mischief, Second Degree Burglary, and Unlawful Possession of Meth.

Mack and Feliciano were both lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Today at 09:16 a.m., a large vehicle fire was reported in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to the scene in the 400 block of Tycer Crossing.

Fire crews were able to successfully extinguish the RV fire. The occupants had safely evacuated from the vehicle and remained unharmed.

The incident is currently under investigation.

 

The 911 Dispatch Center received numerous calls about the same suspect walking in the street Thursday afternoon.

The first caller reported around 4:45 p.m. that an older man was walking into traffic at the corner of NW 6th Street and NE F Street. The caller had almost struck the male suspect while driving before the call was made.

Another call came in to dispatch advising the same suspect was near the post office, then a third caller reported the man was waving his hands and continuing to walk back and forth in front of traffic, despite having no legal right of way.

Yet another call to dispatch said the suspect was continuing to walk into the street in front of the Wells Fargo. According to the caller, the suspect would wait until traffic was coming, then walk right in front of the vehicles.

The suspect was contacted by a Grants Pass Police officer with assistance from Oregon State Police. He didn't identify himself to law enforcement, but the officer knew him from prior knowledge.

Travis Davenport was placed under arrest for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department observed a suspect with an active warrant Thursday.

At 10:42 a.m., the suspect, Ali Cross, was contacted and detained on the corner of NE 7th and NE E Streets. He had a warrant charging him with two counts of Improper Usage of 911.

Officers subsequently transported and lodged Cross in the Josephine County Jail. His property, a black backpack and sleeping bag, were entered for safekeeping.

 

Rogue Credit Union announced today the appointment of Scott Mulkins as its new Chief Experience Officer (CXO), a newly elevated role focused on advancing the organization’s end-to-end member experience across all delivery channels.

In this role, Mulkins will provide strategic leadership for Rogue Credit Union’s branches, contact centers, digital delivery and marketing, ensuring a cohesive, data-informed, and member-centered experience at every interaction point.

Mulkins brings over a decade of credit union leadership experience, spanning analytics, operations, and enterprise risk management. He joined Rogue Credit Union in 2015, and throughout his tenure, he has been recognized for combining data-driven decision-making with thoughtful, proactive leadership to strengthen the member experience.

For more information, visit roguecu.org.

 

On Tuesday, January 7th, Oregon State Police responded at 8:50 a.m. to a fatal, single-vehicle crash on Highway 199, near milepost 10, in Josephine County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Toyota Tundra, operated by Marisha Lynn Trainor, 52, of Eugene, reportedly swerved to miss a deer in the roadway, lost control, and rolled multiple times along the shoulder of the highway.

The vehicle came to rest on its roof. Trainor suffered reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

A passenger in the Toyota, Teddie Dianne Tibbets, 47, of Selma, was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation.

 

Medford Police responded to a residence in the 4500 block of Wolf Run at approximately 4:18 p.m. yesterday following a report of a female entering the home.

An observant neighbor making the report was advised to call police if the situation escalated. Upon arrival, Officers were able to confirm the identity of a wanted subject after she entered the residence. Additional information indicated the individual may have been armed.

Officers attempted to make contact with occupants but were unsuccessful. A perimeter was established while additional resources were requested.

Two adult females later exited the residence and were taken into custody without incident. Officers were informed that additional individuals may still be inside the home. A search warrant was obtained, and officers conducted a clearing of the house.

The scene was secured. Officers are in the process of clearing the scene. A total of four individuals with outstanding warrants were arrested. There are no further updates at this time.