Former Commissioner West Ordered to Pay Lead Recall Petitioner Morgan $28,721

Former Josephine County Commissioner John West was ordered by a Josephine County Judge to pay over $28,000 in fees to Lily Morgan. According to the Daily Courier, Morgan, the lead petitioner in Wests recall campaign, was sued by West in December 2024. He alleged she misrepresented his position on six different grievances listed in the petition. Morgan asked the court to strike West's lawsuit under the "anti-SLAPP" law, allowing early dismissal of lawsuits that appear as retaliation for free speech or petitions. County Judge Robert S. Bain struck 5 of the claims West made, saying the grievances were matters of opinion. Bain found part of the 6th claim to factually inaccurate, where Morgan claimed West eliminated funding from law enforcement and public health. The stricken claims were dismissed, and Judge Bain, in a separate move, said the court is required to award Morgan the attorney's fees and costs, totaling about $28,721. Morgan has appealed the part of the claim she lost, and West's attorney said he intends to appeal the areas his client lost. ...Read more

ODF Crews Make Continued Progress on Lower Rogue River Corridor Fires

The Oregon Department of Forestry has continued to make progress on the Lower Rogue River Corridor Fires. Firefighters assigned to multiple fires have continued efforts on the smaller incidents and held the Kelsey Peak Fire in its current footprint. Cooler temperatures allowed resources to line and mop up an additional three fires, bringing the total number of fires already extinguished to seven. This leaves the Kelsey Peak, Marial, and Mule fires still in an active status. Today, firefighters assigned to these incidents will continue to build on this progress. The Kelsey Peak Fire remains the largest incident. Overnight, minimal growth was seen and the fire remains an estimated 80 acres. Resources worked early into this morning, holding the lines built, strengthening them where possible, and bringing in miles of hose. More than 130 personnel are currently assigned to these fires, with the majority dedicated to the Kelsey Peak Fire. ...Read more

Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue Continue Missing Woman Search.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Search and Rescue personnel continue to search for a woman missing out of Prospect, Ore. Deenah Padgett, 69, was reported missing on Sunday, September 8, 2024, when she was last seen camping in the Prospect area. She is described as a white woman with brownish-red, partially gray hair, standing at 4’8” and weighing 90-100 lbs. JCSO detectives and SAR personnel have searched the area extensively and are looking for the public’s help. If you see Deenah or know her whereabouts, immediately call ECSO Dispatch at (541) 776-7206 and reference case 24-4928. If you have any information that might help the investigation, call Detective Friend at (541) 864-8774. ...Read more