Suspect Jailed & Children Safe following Hostage Situation in Ashland
Two children are safe, and a Central Point man is in jail today after Ashland Police Department (APD) responded to a call for a suicidal, potentially armed man taking children hostage in an Ashland apartment last night.

The call came at 5:53 p.m. on Thursday, with information the man was holding two children, ages 4 and 7, hostage in an apartment in the 300 block of Engle Street in Ashland. After a nearly 7-hour standoff with police, the man is in the Jackson County Jail, and the children are safe.

APD lodged the suspect, Erik Macias, 36, of Central Point, on charges of felony fourth-degree domestic violence assault, domestic violence menacing, coercion, and driving while suspended. Macias also had two outstanding felony warrants including fourth-degree domestic violence/assault and driving under the influence of intoxications.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Crisis Negotiators Team responded to assist APD just before 9 p.m. Law enforcement surrounded the apartment while detectives applied for a search warrant. The Crisis Team made phone contact and attempted to negotiate for approximately three hours. When negotiations failed, the SWAT team used a diversionary device, a flash bang, outside the apartment along with K9 announcements, and made entry, arresting the suspect without incidence, and rescued the children at 12:42 a.m. The children are safe and were returned to their mother. ...Read more

Multiple Agencies Engaged Rural Fire Friday Morning
Rural Metro Fire responded to the report of flames seen in the woods in the area of Dutchy Way just after midnight Friday morning. After searching for access, firefighters found a collection of motorhomes and other vehicles ablaze, and approximately 1/2 acre spread into the surrounding vegetation. A full response was mobilized that included assistance from Grants Pass Fire, Illinois Valley Fire District, ODF Southwest Oregon District and Pacific Power. The over 8-hour campaign was wrought with challenges, including aggressive dogs, unearthed military ordinance, and the remote access that required water to be shuttled into the location 500 gallons at a time. Mop-up was completed after daybreak. ...Read more

Oregon Department of Forestry Declares Local Start for 2024 Fire Season is Saturday

The Oregon Department of Forestry has officially declared that the beginning of the 2024 fire season in Josephine and Jackson counties is Saturday. ODF officials said the fire danger level in Southwest Oregon will be "low" and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will be "1." Lands affected by this declaration include 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and BLM forestlands in the two-county region. The beginning of fire season brings regulations on activities that are known to cause fires. Starting Saturday at 12:01 a.m., all outdoor debris burning -- including piles and burn barrels -- will be prohibited. No fireworks are allowed on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected lands. Exploding targets and tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge are prohibited. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds and on private land with the landowner's permission. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in areas free of flammable vegetation. Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations. For more information about ODF Southwest fire season regulations, contact the Grants Pass Unit at (541)-474-3152, the Medford Unit at (541)-664-3328 or visit "swofire.com." ...Read more