HWD Public Safety

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued 10 civil penalties totaling $462,425 in October for violations involving air quality, water protection, stormwater management, and underground fuel tanks across the state.

Medford Police arrested a woman Wednesday morning who investigators believe set multiple arson fires across North Medford, including vehicle fires and a blaze at a local restaurant.

Two Klamath Falls residents were killed Wednesday in a rollover crash on Highway 140E after a passing attempt triggered a collision, according to Oregon State Police.

Medford Police recovered more than $141,000 in stolen radio equipment and arrested a suspect following two burglaries at Medford Fire Department storage facilities. Detectives say the investigation also cleared several additional theft cases throughout Jackson County.

The man injured in a Nov. 23 officer-involved shooting with Medford Police has been released from the hospital and lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Shane Wesley Smith, 30, of Medford, is facing multiple charges as the case heads to a Jackson County Grand Jury for review.

ODOT is urging travelers to prepare for heavy holiday traffic, winter weather, and potential delays as Oregonians hit the roads for Thanksgiving week. Crews will be working throughout the holiday to keep highways clear, but drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, check conditions, and travel with caution.

A wrong-way crash on I-5 near Grants Pass early Saturday left one person dead and two injured, according to Oregon State Police. Northbound traffic was impacted for about four hours during the investigation.

Governor Tina Kotek has declared a statewide state of emergency following the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline, which supplies more than 90 percent of Oregon’s transportation fuel. While officials say current fuel supplies remain adequate, the order activates emergency plans and gives the state flexibility to keep fuel moving if conditions change.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued several updates ahead of the holiday weekend, including two statewide free fishing days, expanded public access on the restored Klamath River, and a coastwide delay to the commercial Dungeness crab season. Recreational crabbing and clamming remain open in many areas, while winter weather may affect river site access.

Governor Tina Kotek has announced that philanthropic partners in the Oregon Disaster Funders Network have matched the state’s $6 million investment in hunger relief, identifying more than $6.4 million to support food banks, pantries, and community organizations statewide. The partnership expands resources identified through the Governor’s emergency food order.

Medford Police say an early morning crisis call involving an armed suicidal subject led to an officer-involved shooting on Mallard Lane. The individual is in stable condition, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is now overseeing the investigation.

AAA projects a record 81.8 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, with the majority hitting the road. Concerns over recent flight cancellations may drive even more travelers to switch from air to car trips. AAA and transportation experts are urging early departures and caution on the roads.

Oregon has enacted emergency rules to prevent the spread of Equine Herpes Virus following outbreaks linked to events in Texas and Oklahoma. In response, the Klamath County Fairgrounds has issued a full suspension of all equine use while awaiting further guidance from state officials.

A multi-agency law enforcement sweep in Shasta County led to 14 arrests as officers conducted parole compliance checks at 22 locations. The Nov. 14 operation, known as Operation Shasta Shield, focused on high-risk supervised individuals, including registered sex offenders.

TriMet has eliminated 68 administrative positions and reduced internal spending by $17.7 million as part of a long-term plan to close a projected $300 million budget shortfall. The agency says more service cuts and additional revenue measures will be needed through 2028.

Students and staff at Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School gathered for a traditional salmon bake and round dance as part of a day dedicated to celebrating Native American Heritage Month. Hosted in partnership with the Klamath Tribes and community organizations, the event highlighted cultural traditions, salmon’s ecological and spiritual importance, and the value of connecting students with their Indigenous heritage.

Transportation agencies across the region are preparing for winter weather and urging the public to plan ahead. Crews are gearing up for snow and ice while reminding travelers to check conditions, carry chains, and use caution on the roads.

More than $28 million in federal funding will support new wildfire-mitigation projects across Oregon. The USDA-funded grants, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help communities reduce hazardous fuels, strengthen evacuation routes, and expand prescribed fire and defensible space work.

ODOT is hosting a Dec. 2 open house in Bend to share updated designs for the Hawthorne Crossing bicycle and pedestrian bridge. Community members can view the new truss-style concept, meet the project team, and submit feedback in person or online.

Oregon Tech has partnered with Google Public Sector to bring advanced AI and high-performance computing directly into campus research and operations. The collaboration expands computing capacity, accelerates innovative projects, and equips faculty with new tools to streamline work and unlock future research opportunities.

The City of Medford is inviting residents to weigh in on four proposed alternatives for the future configuration of Main Street. Feedback can be submitted through a Nov. 20 open house or an online survey available through Nov. 30.

Fire crews from Castella, Dunsmuir, Mount Shasta, Weed, and CAL FIRE Siskiyou worked together to extinguish a house fire on Castella Loop Monday afternoon. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

A Centralia, Washington man has pleaded guilty to damaging a Portland-area power substation in 2022, causing $26,000 in equipment damage. He faces up to five years in prison and will be sentenced in early 2026.

Face Rock Creamery has issued a voluntary recall of 6oz. Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar after FDA environmental sampling found Listeria in the cheese packaging area. The affected product was sold only at the company’s flagship store in Bandon, Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has awarded nearly $11.5 million in Clean Truck and Infrastructure grants for 2025, funding 43 projects statewide aimed at reducing diesel emissions and expanding zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.

ByHeart has expanded its voluntary recall to include every batch of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, both canisters and single-serve packets, as the FDA and CDC investigate a nationwide increase in infant botulism cases. No unopened product has tested positive, but federal officials recommend all parents stop using ByHeart formula immediately.

Medford Police responded to two major incidents over the weekend — a shooting at OK Market that led to two arrests, and a serious single-vehicle crash Friday night where investigators say reckless driving, not a reported menacing, caused the collision.

Clackamas County Search and Rescue teams have recovered what they believe to be the remains of missing hunter Devon Dobek after a challenging two-day effort in the Mount Hood National Forest.

The Oregon National Guard welcomed home more than 200 Soldiers from the 2-218th Field Artillery Regiment on Sunday, marking their return from a year-long deployment supporting air defense missions in the Middle East.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the body of the missing 7-year-old girl swept into the ocean at Garrapata State Beach has been recovered, bringing a tragic end to a multi-day search effort.