Salem, Oregon– A Portland man, along with his wife and a friend, have secured their place in history after winning the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot. Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, 46, made the fateful purchase for the April 6, 2024, drawing and emerged as the sole nationwide winner matching all five numbers plus the Powerball. Saephan, sharing the prize with his 37-year-old wife, Duanpen Saephan, and their friend Laiza Chao, 55, from Milwaukie, will divide the windfall. Chao will receive 50%, while the Saephans will split the remaining 50%. Opting for the cash payout, the trio will take home $4 ..read more

Near Grants Pass, Oregon- At approximately 2:29 AM on April 29th, emergency services were dispatched to the 1000 block of Plumtree Lane in Josephine County following reports of a fire. Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, and AMR-Josephine County responded to the scene after a call to Grants Pass 911. Upon arrival, first-responding crews encountered a fully-engulfed RV that was spreading flames to a nearby vehicle. Two individuals with burn injuries were discovered on the street and immediately attended to by medics and firefighters. Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital for furth ..read more

Near Albany, Oregon- Earlier this evening, law enforcement agencies responded to a series of events in the Coburg area that culminated in a dangerous pursuit and officer-involved shooting on Interstate 5. The incident began with a reported shooting in Coburg earlier in the afternoon, leaving one individual critically injured and prompting a search for the suspects involved. At approximately 6:00 p.m., authorities received a driving complaint regarding a vehicle believed to be connected to the Coburg shooting. The vehicle was located by deputies from Linn County and Lane County, as well as Oreg ..read more

Courtesy of River Valley Church Grants Pass, Oregon- River Valley Church, based in Grants Pass, unveiled plans today to transition the vacant Flying Lark building, into their new church facility. The announcement was made during the church’s annual vision celebration, where members gathered to hear about the next chapter in their operations. According to the church, the opportunity to acquire the Flying Lark was initially presented to the church just two weeks ago, setting in motion a swift and decisive response from ministry partners outside the church who financially supported the endeavor ..read more

Lincoln County, Oregon- On April 27, 2024, a high-speed pursuit unfolded across two Oregon counties after a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted a dark-colored minivan driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed along Highway 20 near Crystal Creek Loop in Eddyville. The incident occurred around 1:11 PM when the deputy initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the minivan, later identified as 33-year-old Gregory Noll of Vancouver, Washington, initially yielded to the deputy but quickly became uncooperative and refused to comply with commands. In response, the deputy deployed a Taser, which ..read more

Medford, Oregon- The Medford School District (MSD) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address their significant budget issues, necessitating $15 million in cuts over the next two fiscal years. The proposal includes reducing over 30 positions across the district as MSD grapples with inadequate funding, inflation, and a decline in student enrollment. MSD officials say the budget adjustments, announced earlier this week, prioritize preserving the quality of classroom teaching while adapting to changing demographics brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Elementary enrollment in MSD has droppe ..read more

Medford, Oregon- William Thomas Gillespie, 39, of Cave Junction, received a federal prison sentence of 173 months on Thursday for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and 12 firearms while under state supervision. This sentence reflects the seriousness of Gillespie’s criminal behavior and its impact on community safety. The sentencing was part of a coordinated effort involving the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team (RADE), whose persistence was crucial in bringing Gillespie to justice. According to court records, Gillespie was apprehended in April 2020 in White City, with 174 grams of methamph ..read more

Medford, Oregon- The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has announced the conclusion of the Medford Police Department’s investigation concerning the theft and improper usage of controlled substances by a former Asante nurse. The incidents resulted in severe infections among several patients. This investigation, which began in December 2023, involved the scrutiny of tens of thousands of documents, medical records, and involved interviews with numerous witnesses. Patrick Green, Chief Deputy District Attorney, is currently assessing the investigation’s findings. Chief Deputy DA Green expre ..read more

Central Point, Oregon– Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies apprehended two suspects yesterday following an early-morning burglary in rural Central Point. The incident unfolded when a JCSO Community Service Deputy received a report from ECSO Dispatch just after 8 a.m. regarding a burglary in the 5700 block of Upton Road. Subsequently, JCSO deputies identified multiple suspects and traced them to an address in the 100 block of Laurelhurst Street, also in rural Central Point. A search warrant was obtained for the property, leading to the discovery of a female suspect on-site. Additio ..read more

Phoenix, Oregon- Aspen, a gentle 2-year-old female Shepherd/Rottweiler mix, is currently seeking her forever home at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Staff remarks that Aspen has the potential to blossom into a loving companion with patience and understanding. Rottweilers, known for their loyalty and protective nature, exemplify Aspen’s character. She thrives in a calm environment and requires time and space to adjust at her own pace. To facilitate Aspen’s adoption, the shelter has reduced her adoption fee to $75, making it more accessible for potential owners to welcome her into their home ..read more