Good morning, Medford.

Fire crews responded early Wednesday morning to a blaze in a vacant house in the 800 block of North Narragan Street in north Medford—firefighters cleared the structure and protected nearby homes with no injuries reported while investigators work to determine the cause.

Medford police arrested 31 year old Joel Caswell in connection with a drive-by shooting last month in Northeast Medford when a home was hit by gunfire and no one was injured—he now faces multiple federal fraud charges as well as state charges for weapon use and reckless endangerment.

ScienceWorks in Ashland is preparing for its annual Monster Ball on October 25 in memory of Sarah Wood and is asking for old Halloween décor like pumpkins, cobwebs and skeletons.

Items may be dropped off during museum hours—Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phoenix-Talent School District held its second annual PTS Mini Olympics on Thursday, where staff from many departments competed in games such as egg toss, hula hoop ring toss, tug of war, badminton golf shootout, pickleball, and an egg spoon race.

The District Office team won gold and district leaders said the games helped staff build team spirit—getting them ready for the new school year.

The Oregon Department of State Lands adopted new fees for the Removal-Fill Program to protect wetlands and waterways by requiring permits for projects that add or remove material from these areas.

The updated fee structure will affect projects starting immediately as land managers adjust to the new rules.

Transportation districts in the Rogue Valley face cutbacks from a funding gap caused by federal freezes and state budget cuts—legislators are meeting today in a special session to discuss raising the gas tax and DMV fees to help avoid layoffs at ODOT.

Bus routes will see shortened hours and suspended service starting September 2 if more funds are not obtained.

Day 4 of the Southern Oregon Golf Championships teed off today at Rogue Valley Country Club as match play begins in the largest amateur tournament on a single course—head-to-head matchups will start tomorrow with final rounds set to conclude on Labor Day.

Stagecoach Run

8 AM – 12 PM — Phoenix Industrial Studios — Registration required — Experience one of Southern Oregon's oldest races with a half marathon and 5k/10k options.

Music and Wine Experience with Greg Frederick & Jesse Kennemer

4-6 p.m. — RoxyAnn Winery — Free entry — Enjoy live music and award-winning wines while dancing the evening away.

Ashland’s First Friday Empanada Throwdown

2-7 p.m. — Resistance Wine Company — $20 plus empanada costs — Enjoy local empanadas and summer wines while indulging in art and music.

Reptile Show - Day 1

10:00 AM – 3:30 PM — Rogue X - Medford Parks & Recreation — General admission $10, kids 7-12 $5 — Explore an exciting array of reptiles in Medford.

Happy Tails Festival

10 AM – 3 PM — Bear Creek Park — Free entry — Celebrate dogs and their humans with fun activities and local vendors.

Medford Railroad Park Sunday Run Day

11 AM – 3 PM — Medford Railroad Park — $ — Experience the thrill of riding diesel trains at the scenic Medford Railroad Park.

Les Greene Concert

6 PM – 12 AM — Butler Bandshell — Free entry — Enjoy a summer concert featuring Les Greene in the beautiful Lithia Park.

Palate to Palette

5-7 p.m. — The Village at Medford Center — Free entry — Stroll, sip, and savor at this delightful community event.

Erica Rochel Duo Performance at Padigan

5-11 p.m. — Padigan Winery — Ticket info not specified — Enjoy live acoustic country originals and classic favorites in a scenic vineyard setting.

Volunteer Information Day at Hopeful Secondhand Thrift Shop

1-3 p.m. — Hopeful Secondhand Thrift Shop — Free entry — Learn how volunteering can support homeless families and bring joy to the community.