Local News

Monday's wind caused challenges for local first responders as they scrambled to deal with several incidents.

According to Rural Metro Fire, wind caused trees and limbs to fall on powerlines in the New Hope, Sunny Valley and Greens Creek Road areas, causing power disruptions and small fires. All fires are now fully extinguished.

Wind is also being considered a contributor to incidents on the Rogue River during Boatnik races that caused two jet boats to flip and eject their pilots. Pre-staged rescue crews assigned to the races determined there were no injuries.

Rural Metro stated wind is reported to be what accelerated the Blackwell Fire in Central Point to push to 30 acres yesterday afternoon. All regional firefighters including Rural Metro Fire's Battalion 5 and Water Tender 7541 were mobilized to respond.

 

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, firefighters continued mop up operations of the Blackwell Road Fire in Central Point. It stands at an estimated 30 acres. Last night's final update on ODF's Facebook page at 8:45 p.m. said a 20-person crew was ordered to work alongside existing resources. Firefighters were on the scene as long as necessary overnight to complete their work. All roads previously closed have been reopened. Level 1 and 2 evacuation notices for zones JAC-231 and 229 respectively, put in place by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management, remain in effect.

 

Emergency crews responded to two traffic accidents, one early this morning, the other over the weekend.

The first incident occurred Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Pugetville Road in Kerby. The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police were dispatched to the rollover accident.

No one was injured, and OSP is conducting the investigation. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Crews from IVFD and AMR were again dispatched to a single vehicle accident that occurred today at 12:48 a.m. at the corner of Holland Loop Road and Hays Cutoff Road in Cave Junction.

The involved vehicle had entered a ditch, but the occupant was able to successfully extricate it. No injuries were reported.

 

The Board of Commissioners have a busy agenda Tuesday beginning with their monthly Tuesday Talk Show on KAJO at 9:30 a.m.

Following the interview, the board is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room for a City and County Monthly Update. Agenda items for discussion include the 6th Street Banner Approval Process, and collaboration for the 250th 4th of July Celebration.

Both the board and councilmembers will continue with a general discussion regarding City and County properties before adjourning, pending other subject matters.

The Commissioners will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. for a County Administration Workshop, starting with Department business from Public Works regarding payment to M&M Services, LLC for the decommission of old fuel tanks and pumps.

Human Resources will present Personnel Requisitions and Actions to the board, then pending other business, the meeting will adjourn. At 2:30 p.m., an Executive Session will be held to consider the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against the Information Technology and Emergency Management Director.

The Commissioners had previously met in Executive Session Friday at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the Robert Brandes vs. Josephine County and Andreas Blech case. After receiving an update from Legal Counsel at the end of the session, the board adjourned the meeting.

 

Medford Police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 300 block of S Holly Street Sunday at 3:30 a.m. leading to a man's arrest. 45-year-old, Enrique Delgadillo IV was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. According to Medford Police's Facebook page, officers found a chaotic scene with multiple individuals both inside and outside the residence. The investigation revealed three subjects had been involved in a physical altercation outside the residence. The parties began to separate when one of them

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a disorderly suspect while setting up barricades for Saturday's Boatnik Parade. Officers were confronted by Sean Washburn, 59, at about 9:15 a.m. at the corner of NE 6th Street and NE A Street. He demonstrated hostility toward the parade and made concerning statements before driving away in a reckless manner. The officers securing the parade route coordinated with patrol officers to locate Washburn. His car was quickly located several blocks away, and he was found walking toward the parade in the area of SE 4th and SE J Street. Law enforcement took him into custody and

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman wanted on out-of-county warrant for theft and trespassing.

A call to 911 Thursday at 5:05 p.m. reported a woman showed up at the caller's property in the 900 block of W Picket Creek Road. She claimed she had been choked and assaulted up the road, and that someone had taken the SIM card out of her phone.

The caller didn't feel comfortable getting involved and said he wasn't sure if she lived in the area. Dispatch was told there are many recreational vehicles and tents nearby, and that it has been an ongoing issue of squatters walking through the caller's property.

The woman appeared to walk away during the call for service. Twenty minutes prior, she had reportedly asked the property owner for a ride or if she could call for a friend or taxi. The caller said the woman didn't feel like law enforcement needed to be advised of the incident.

Responding deputies contacted the suspect, Christine Sanders, and learned she had a warrant out for her arrest from the Winston Police Department. Charges against her included Second Degree Trespass and Third Degree Theft. She was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrant.

 

Liberty Tax security reported a man trespassing on the property, leading to the suspects arrest at taser point by Grants Pass Police.

Dispatch was alerted to the suspect, Jacob Reeder, at the 110 SE K Street location around 2:48 a.m. Security reported Reeder had been previously trespassed from the business, and had been asked to leave.

Officers arrived to take Reeder into custody, but he became hostile and took a fighting stance. A taser was displayed, and Reeder complied. He was taken into custody and transported to the Adult Jail Facility.

Officers lodged him for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and his trespass warnings for both Liberty Tax and River City Grill were updated.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an assault charge Thursday night.

A call to 911 reported a man and his dog were walking near the corner of SW Rogue River Avenue and SW Erica Drive. The dog ran up to the caller, who proceeded to hit the black lab after he believed the dog was jumping up to attack him.

He told dispatch the suspect proceeded to punch him, resulting in his left earlobe being split open. He denied any medical attention, then provided law enforcement with the suspect's residence and description.

Officers soon located and contacted the suspect, Justin Jackson, in the 1100 block of SW Rogue River Avenue. He denied striking the victim, but video footage refuted his claim. Police lodged Jackson in the Josephine County Jail for Fourth Degree Assault.