For the best experienceDownload the Mobile App
App Store Play Store

Local News & Alerts

Date Range

Clear
Want to contribute your own news?

Are you a local entity that would like to contribute local news within our app and website?

Click request below and give us details!

Request

Total Items 64248

Oregon wool exhibit spotlights Team USA Olympic uniforms Featured News by Oregon Today News
When Ralph Lauren recently unveiled its Team USAs winter Olympic uniforms for Milano Corti... More

01/06/2026

Video from police shows person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and wife Featured News by Oregon Today News
No arrests have been made and investigators have not named any suspects in the deaths of S... More

01/06/2026

Hello, and thank you to all who are taking the time to read this.  
  
I am Deputy Lessley, and I was asked to share my jail experience with my community, so here goes.  
  
In high school, I joined the workforce with a job at a hardware store/lumber yard. I worked there for a total of 13 years. During my time there, I was able to become the store manager, and I enjoyed my job for the most part. I probably would still be there if I had had better insurance for my family. That being said, I began searching for a job that could provide that. I had a few offers that checked the boxes I needed, but I stumbled across a recruiting video for the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and submitted my application. I was applying to be a patrol deputy, and after six months of waiting, I got the call and was asked if I would be interested in starting my career in the jail with the opportunity to go to patrol in the future.  
  
Since I began working in the jail three years ago, there have been things I’ve seen that I will never unsee and smells that I will never be able to describe. There have been adults in custody (AICs) who will smear their feces on the walls, some who will use their toilets for days without flushing, others who urinate under their doors, and some who intentionally flood their cells by stuffing clothes or blankets into the toilets. Some days, I really miss going to work and helping someone order tools or supplies to remodel a house, along with the smell of fresh-cut cedar.  
  
One of the biggest issues we see is that countless AICs get arrested and brought to jail only to be booked and released. I understand that, as a citizen, it is frustrating to see this happen time and again, but let me just say that most, if not all, deputies are just as frustrated. Not all the AICs are arrested for major issues. Many get arrested and brought into the jail with a citation, which forces us to release them. We see these people get arrested and brought to jail seemingly as a means of keeping them off the streets of surrounding cities, but that just means they will be stuck on the streets of Coquille with no resources. There are some people who should be in an assisted living situation or in a mental health facility, but there aren’t many options, and apparently the Coos County Jail is believed to be the next best option for those individuals. We have extremely limited resources in this county, and it seems that what little we do have is exploited by those who don’t necessarily want them to actually try to change, but who use them as a way to get out of jail just to be arrested for a similar crime within days or a couple of weeks.  
  
We also get people who intentionally get arrested to have a place to sleep and meals provided. We have AICs who get arrested multiple times a year. A few have even reached 30 incarcerations in 2025. This causes another issue for us. When we house someone who is using the jail as a hotel, this takes up bed space and causes us to book and release because of the laws we are required to follow, as given to us by the state of Oregon.  
  
One issue I have with Oregon state law is that sometimes it seems as though the “time” does not match the “crime.” Meaning, there are crimes for which we have to house someone, but for someone with a “more serious crime,” we are forced to release them.  
  
I do hope that in the future, things get better for our community. I hope we are able to get resources here to help the people who need it. And hopefully, with more resources, people will feel less helpless and not resort back to their old habits. I know there are people who seem to have given up on themselves because they feel the system doesn’t work or it keeps them down, but maybe we can show that we haven’t given up on them. And I pray that one day we live in a safer and cleaner community.  
  
Thanks again. Featured News by Coos County Sheriff
Hello, and thank you to all who are taking the time to read this. I am Deputy Lessley, and I was asked to share my jail experience with my community, so here goes. In high school, I joined the workforce with a job at a hardware store/lumber yard. I worked there for a total of 13 years. During my time there, I was able to become the store manager, and I enjoyed my job for the most part. I probably would still be there if I had had better insurance for my family. That being said, I began searching for a job that could provide that. I had a few offers that checked the boxes I needed, but I stumbled across a recruiting video for the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and submitted my application. I was applying to be a patrol deputy, and after six months of waiting, I got the call and was asked if I would be interested in starting my career in the jail with the opportunity to go to patrol in the future. Since I began working in the jail three years ago, there have been things I’ve seen that I will never unsee and smells that I will never be able to describe. There have been adults in custody (AICs) who will smear their feces on the walls, some who will use their toilets for days without flushing, others who urinate under their doors, and some who intentionally flood their cells by stuffing clothes or blankets into the toilets. Some days, I really miss going to work and helping someone order tools or supplies to remodel a house, along with the smell of fresh-cut cedar. One of the biggest issues we see is that countless AICs get arrested and brought to jail only to be booked and released. I understand that, as a citizen, it is frustrating to see this happen time and again, but let me just say that most, if not all, deputies are just as frustrated. Not all the AICs are arrested for major issues. Many get arrested and brought into the jail with a citation, which forces us to release them. We see these people get arrested and brought to jail seemingly as a means of keeping them off the streets of surrounding cities, but that just means they will be stuck on the streets of Coquille with no resources. There are some people who should be in an assisted living situation or in a mental health facility, but there aren’t many options, and apparently the Coos County Jail is believed to be the next best option for those individuals. We have extremely limited resources in this county, and it seems that what little we do have is exploited by those who don’t necessarily want them to actually try to change, but who use them as a way to get out of jail just to be arrested for a similar crime within days or a couple of weeks. We also get people who intentionally get arrested to have a place to sleep and meals provided. We have AICs who get arrested multiple times a year. A few have even reached 30 incarcerations in 2025. This causes another issue for us. When we house someone who is using the jail as a hotel, this takes up bed space and causes us to book and release because of the laws we are required to follow, as given to us by the state of Oregon. One issue I have with Oregon state law is that sometimes it seems as though the “time” does not match the “crime.” Meaning, there are crimes for which we have to house someone, but for someone with a “more serious crime,” we are forced to release them. I do hope that in the future, things get better for our community. I hope we are able to get resources here to help the people who need it. And hopefully, with more resources, people will feel less helpless and not resort back to their old habits. I know there are people who seem to have given up on themselves because they feel the system doesn’t work or it keeps them down, but maybe we can show that we haven’t given up on them. And I pray that one day we live in a safer and cleaner community. Thanks again.
Hello and thank you to all who are taking the time to read this I am Deputy Lessley and I... More

01/06/2026

Dog rescued from 30-foot ravine in Astoria after spending the night trapped below Featured News by Oregon Today News
Using a ladder and ropes firefighters climbed down and rescued the dog from the 30-foot fa... More

01/06/2026

Want Super Bowl tickets? You can score some by donating blood this month Featured News by Oregon Today News
Donating blood in January will automatically enter you in a giveaway for a chance to fly t... More

01/06/2026

Jackson County Library Director placed on paid administrative leave Featured News by Oregon Today News
The Jackson County Library Services board of directors voted to place Director Kari May on... More

01/06/2026

Newspaper corrections for Wednesday, Jan. 7 Featured News by Oregon Today News
A Dec 23 Oregon Capital Chronicle story had two errors Greg Smith has been the Columbia De... More

01/06/2026

Several feet of snow coming to Oregon & Washington Cascades starting today Featured News by Oregon Today News
A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for the Oregon and Washington Cascades The warning... More

01/06/2026

US measles cases topped 2,000 in 2025, highest total in more than 30 years Featured News by Oregon Today News
Most infections occurred among unvaccinated people with health officials warning the sprea... More

01/06/2026

Oregon running back Jayden Limar entering transfer portal Featured News by Oregon Today News
Oregon is losing a third running back to transfer More

01/06/2026

An Oregon family bakery works months to create the perfect Epiphany treat. It sells out every year Featured News by Oregon Today News
Paola Maravilla recalls growing up between the bright yellow and seafoam green walls of he... More

01/06/2026

1/5/26 - Deputies continue to find impaired drivers in the new year   
  
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office does not have regular funding for a dedicated traffic team or deputy assigned to DUI enforcement. However, our deputies are committed to the safety of our community, and that includes patrolling our roadways.   
  
🚙 Plan your safe ride home ahead of time   
🍺 If you drink or use drugs, do not drive for any reason   
🔑 If you know someone has been drinking or using drugs, don't let them drive   
💃 If you host a party with alcohol, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver   
👍 And please, always wear your seatbelt!   
   
Drive safe in 2026 – or better yet, get a ride!   
  
On January 2nd at 9 p.m., a deputy observed a pickup run a red light westbound on Main Street in Springfield, then straddle both lanes. The deputy initiated a traffics top, however the vehicle did not stop until it was in Eugene. The deputy contacted the driver, Bryan Richard Like, 47, of Eugene, and observed signs of impairment. After additional investigation, Like was arrested for DUII.    
  
On January 3rd at 9 p.m., a deputy responded to the 38400 block of Emerald Way, east of Springfield, for a report of a pickup rolled on its side. The deputy located the driver, Jake Ryan Martinez, 31, of Springfield, nearby and observed signs of impairment. After additional investigation, Martinez was arrested for DUII.    
  
On January 4th at 2 a.m., deputies responded to a crash in parking lot on Holbrook Lane, Creswell. Deputies contacted the driver, Austin Mychal Lamb, 30, of Creswell, and observed signs of impairment. After additional investigation, Lamb was arrested for DUII.    
  
At 5 p.m., deputies responded to assist Springfield Police officers after they located a vehicle that crashed into a gate at a residence on Jasper Road across from Clearwater Lane. The deputy observed signs the driver, Selah Mark Knapp, 38, of Springfield, was impaired. Knapp also had minor injuries. After further investigation, Knapp was arrested for DUII and Reckless Driving. He became uncooperative, and was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the charges. During booking, Knapp spit blood on deputies. Charges were added for Aggravated Harassment. Featured News by Lane County Sheriff
1/5/26 - Deputies continue to find impaired drivers in the new year The Lane County Sheriff’s Office does not have regular funding for a dedicated traffic team or deputy assigned to DUI enforcement. However, our deputies are committed to the safety of our community, and that includes patrolling our roadways. 🚙 Plan your safe ride home ahead of time 🍺 If you drink or use drugs, do not drive for any reason 🔑 If you know someone has been drinking or using drugs, don't let them drive 💃 If you host a party with alcohol, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver 👍 And please, always wear your seatbelt! Drive safe in 2026 – or better yet, get a ride! On January 2nd at 9 p.m., a deputy observed a pickup run a red light westbound on Main Street in Springfield, then straddle both lanes. The deputy initiated a traffics top, however the vehicle did not stop until it was in Eugene. The deputy contacted the driver, Bryan Richard Like, 47, of Eugene, and observed signs of impairment. After additional investigation, Like was arrested for DUII. On January 3rd at 9 p.m., a deputy responded to the 38400 block of Emerald Way, east of Springfield, for a report of a pickup rolled on its side. The deputy located the driver, Jake Ryan Martinez, 31, of Springfield, nearby and observed signs of impairment. After additional investigation, Martinez was arrested for DUII. On January 4th at 2 a.m., deputies responded to a crash in parking lot on Holbrook Lane, Creswell. Deputies contacted the driver, Austin Mychal Lamb, 30, of Creswell, and observed signs of impairment. After additional investigation, Lamb was arrested for DUII. At 5 p.m., deputies responded to assist Springfield Police officers after they located a vehicle that crashed into a gate at a residence on Jasper Road across from Clearwater Lane. The deputy observed signs the driver, Selah Mark Knapp, 38, of Springfield, was impaired. Knapp also had minor injuries. After further investigation, Knapp was arrested for DUII and Reckless Driving. He became uncooperative, and was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the charges. During booking, Knapp spit blood on deputies. Charges were added for Aggravated Harassment.
1526 - Deputies continue to find impaired drivers in the new year The Lane County Sherif... More

01/06/2026

He is a legendary Oregon Duck. This fall, he’ll be rooting for the Beavers Featured News by Oregon Today News
CORVALLIS Kenny Wheaton said even his gym buddies question why hes started wearing Oregon... More

01/06/2026

Driver dies in fiery NE Portland crash while eluding police Featured News by Oregon Today News
A person died in a fiery car crash after fleeing a traffic stop on Monday night police say... More

01/06/2026

Former Oregon safety Kingston Lopa commits to Cal Featured News by Oregon Today News
Former Oregon safety Kingston Lopa is reuniting with Tosh Lupoi More

01/06/2026

Liz Weston: What are share, or deposit secured loans, and who offers them? Featured News by Oregon Today News
Dear Liz My son ran up a lot of credit card debt and it got to the point where he could ba... More

01/06/2026

St. Charles births climb in 2025, bucking state and national trends Featured News by Oregon Today News
Childbirths at St Charles Heath System increased in 2025 even as Oregon and the nation exp... More

01/06/2026

Watch Tyran Stokes, JJ Crawford and Rainier Beach vs. Roosevelt Washington boys high school basketball live from Seattle Featured News by Oregon Today News
The defending 3A state champion Rainier Beach Vikings 11-1 5-0 will look to continue their... More

01/06/2026

ShoutoutGive Shoutout
500/500