Suspect in Custody for Rural Shady Cove Homicide
A Shady Cove man is in the Jackson County Jail charged with 2nd degree murder following a Saturday homicide. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call Saturday at 11:03 a.m. in rural Shady Cove. Dispatch received the call for a possible homicide with an armed suspect on scene at a property in the 23000 block of Highway 62 north of Shady Cove. Deputies arrived with the SWAT Bearcat to locate the armed suspect. Dispatch received a 2nd 911 call for the potential suspect at the Trail Market. Deputies responded and took the suspect into custody without incident. The victim’s name will be released pending next-of-kin notification. Medical Examiners arrived at the scene to begin the death investigation. Cause of death is pending the autopsy by an Oregon State Police forensic pathologist. Jackson County Detectives from and Central Point Police responded to assume the homicide investigation. The suspect, Travis Clayton Driver, 34, of Shady Cove, is in custody charged with second-degree murder. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. ...Read more

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. ...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