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An improvised explosive device blew out windows and ignited a small fire at the Jackson County prosecutor's office in Medford, Ore., Wednesday, but authorities said the damage could have been far worse had it ignited a large propane tank at the scene. No injuries were reported as a result of the blast, which occurred at about 4:30 a.m. Local and state police and the FBI and ATF are currently investigating. Law enforcement sources familiar with the case said there was no immediate claim of responsibility and as of yet, there are no suspects, but they are attempting to determine if...

I've embedded a bit of my own analysis in the comment below. Excerpt: In a statement released on Friday by local police officials, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward for information regarding one bombing and one attempted bombing in Coos Bay, Oregon, by a person or persons unknown and unidentified by investigators. (snip) On the evening of August 22, an IED detonated at the base of the Mingus Park Vietnam War Memorial. While the memorial was damaged from the blast, there were no casualties attributed to the bombing. On September 3, an unsub placed an IED inside...

Oregon Senate Democrats announced Wednesday that state Sen. Joanne Verger, D-Coos Bay, will not seek re-election next year. In a statement, Verger said she's in good health and looking forward to finishing her current term. But she's retiring after that. Several weeks ago, Verger's House colleague, Rep. Jean Cowan, D-Newport, announced she would also be retiring from the Legislature. As a result, Oregon could likely see two very competitive races on the coast, with the control of the current, 30-30 House and 16-14 Senate in play. Question: Will House Co-Speaker Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, take a run

COOS BAY, Ore. — For nine days, Rocky and Jonathan Perkett heard a lone black bear cub wail from its hiding spot in a Coos County logging site. They could drop a tree on it or rescue it. They chose the latter and for two years the bear was like family. But when the authorities got wind of it, there was trouble a-bruin. The father and son named her Windfall and raised it for two years. The men shared pizza and Dr Pepper with the bear and gave her free reign of their home in the woods outside Coos Bay....

COOS BAY - A timber company expansion, in Coos Bay? Unthinkable. But just last month, Southport Lumber Co. announced that it had forsaken the Interstate 5 corridor in favor of its hometown. It will plunk $15 million to $20 million into a sawmill and 65 jobs on the fertile grounds of the North Spit, the focus of the county's dreams for an economic rebound. This wouldn't have happened if the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay hadn't agreed to run a $5.5 million rail line to the spit. But it also wouldn't have happened without the impending arrival of natural...