Local News

The suspect in Sunday's Medford Police Department officer-involved shooting has been released from the hospital and lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

The suspect, Shane Wesley Smith, 30, of Medford, received treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident and has since been cleared for confinement.

Smith is charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Interference with Making a Report, Attempting to Elude Police, Reckless Driving, and DUII. The incident will be presented to the Jackson County Grand Jury.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are leading the investigation. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No additional information is available at this time.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a suspect on a valid and active warrant at Josephine County Community Corrections Monday.

Around 2:32 p.m., the suspect, Christopher Wilson, was in the 510 NW 4th Street location's lobby. An officer arrived and took him into custody on his warrant for Crimes against a Person, Parole Violation and Third Degree Assault.

After being positively identified, Wilson was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on his warrant.

 

AllCare Health, in partnership with its three Community Advisory Councils, has distributed over $241,700 to help local food banks and food distribution partners purchase food for residents and families throughout Southwestern Oregon.

Funding was directed to 12 organizations across Jackson, Josephine, Curry, and Douglas counties, with a focus on the major food banks in each region.

Multiple organizations received funding, including the Josephine County Food Bank, Access in Jackson County, the Community Care Food Pantry in Glendale, Rogue Food Unites, and the Ashland Food Bank.

AllCare’s investment focused on local county food banks because they are not only direct providers of food, but also key suppliers for other community efforts, including schools, churches, and other local food programs.

AllCare also prioritized funding organizations that serve more specific geographic areas or culturally specific communities.

 

Enrollment continues to climb at Rogue Community College, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a release, RCC said their fourth-week headcount this fall was 5,560 students, a 7% increase over fall 2024, according to enrollment data from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC).

This fall marks the first time that RCC’s full-time equivalent enrollment has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, with a fourth-week FTE of 1,349 compared to 1,271 in 2019.

RCC’s continued growth reflects its strong alignment with community and industry needs. The college’s innovative programs and partnerships, particularly in high-demand fields such as health care, manufacturing and technology, are helping students prepare for meaningful, well-paying careers close to home.

While community demand remains strong, RCC’s ability to expand access is constrained by state funding caps under the growth management formula and by space and facility limitations across its campuses, such as a need for science lab space at Table Rock Campus to support expanding healthcare programs.

For more information about Rogue Community College, visit roguecc.edu.

 

The Grants Pass City Council met for a special meeting following an executive session Monday.

A request was made to have an $800 parade application fee waved, and for the city to sponsor $3,000 for traffic abatement. A motion to approve the request passed, with the $3,000 coming from the Lands and Buildings Project.

Also on the agenda was the topic of people volunteering their vehicles for the Christmas Parade, December 13, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 48 vehicles are needed, with half already volunteered.

This effort would work to prevent any vehicles breaking through barriers of the parade, potentially causing harm. More coordination will continue during a December 2 organizational meeting at 4 p.m. where vehicle positions will be assigned.

 

The Oregon State Police conducted a traffic stop and subsequently arrested the driver on a warrant Monday evening.

At 5:22 p.m. near milepost 23 on US Highway 199, troopers pulled over a black Honda Accord for speeding. The driver, identified as Steven Lorange, was found to have a valid felony warrant out of California.

When Lorange was informed he was under arrest, he started rolling up his window while troopers attempted to open the car door from within. A taser was deployed, and Lorange was taken into custody without further incident.

He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his extraditable felony warrant and a charge of Resisting Arrest.

 

Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency Monday after a leak forced the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline, which supplies more than 90% of the state’s transportation fuel. KDRV reports the pipeline delivers fuel to terminals in Portland, where it is distributed throughout Oregon, including Southern Oregon gas stations and airports. State officials say the state is not currently experiencing a fuel shortage, but the emergency order allows agencies to coordinate alternative delivery methods, including barges and trucks, to maintain an adequate supply while the pipeline is offline. State officials warn that Oregonians may see higher gas prices in the coming days, since moving fuel by truck or barge costs more than transporting it through the pipeline. The governor’s directive activates Oregon’s emergency fuel plan and allows the Department of Transportation to temporarily loosen trucking regulations to speed deliveries if necessary. Crews in Washington are still investigating the source of the leak and determining how much fuel may have escaped.

 

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, and many Oregonians will be hitting the roads to visit family and friends. The Oregon Department of Transportation reminds everyone that wet, snowy, and unpredictable weather could quickly turn travel plans upside down if you’re not prepared. ODOT crews will be out working through the holiday plowing snow, clearing debris, managing traffic, and responding to weather impacts. With traffic increasing and winter conditions setting in, they are asking travelers to do their part. Please slow down, be patient, and give crews plenty of room whether crews are plowing, flagging traffic or doing emergency response work. During this holiday week, expect delays, check conditions before your trip, and watch for message signs providing critical road updates like chain requirements, weather hazards, and delays. Drivers are also reminded to prepare for winter driving by carrying chains and packing water, snacks, warm clothes, blankets, medications, and anything you’d need if traffic slows to a crawl. Drive for the conditions, give snowplows room, watch for people walking and biking, and always choose a sober, focused, and alert driver.

 

The Salvation Army Medford Corps is pleased to announce its annual Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Turkey Giveaway today

This community event is being held at The Salvation Army Thrift Store parking lot, 922 N Central Avenue in Medford from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
It's first-come, first-served, and once the turkeys are gone, they’re gone.

Thanks to the generous support of local donors and Les Schwab, The Salvation Army anticipates distributing nearly 500 turkeys to local families who might otherwise go without a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

The event is designed for convenience and accessibility. Drive-thru service will ensure quick pick-up, and walk-ups are warmly welcome. For more information about Salvation Army holiday programs or how to support families in need, please contact The Salvation Army Jackson County Corps at (541) 773-6965