ODF Complex Incident Management Team Continues Kelsey Peak Fire Fight
Firefighters remained engaged on the Kelsey Peak Fire over the weekend. The Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) 1 was briefed on the incident by local leadership from the Bureau of Land Management Medford District and ODF Southwest Oregon District. The fire, burning on BLM-administered land along the Lower Rogue River Corridor roughly 26 miles northwest of Grants Pass, was sparked by lightning during a thunderstorm last Wednesday night. Crews were able to create new lines along the north and southeast portions. Smoky conditions halted the use of aircraft for the past two days, but an opportunity opened up around 5:30 p.m. yesterday and helicopters were able to assist firefighters on the ground. ...Read more

Ashland Police, Jackson County Unit Conducting Homicide Investigation
Ashland Police and a Jackson County Crime Unit began investigating a homicide yesterday morning. On September 7th, at 3:38 AM, Ashland Police Officers and Paramedics from Ashland Fire & Rescue were dispatched to a report of a person laying on the ground next to a vehicle near ‘A’ Street and North 2nd Street in Ashland. According to Ashland Police, officers arrived to find a male who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics confirmed the male was deceased upon their arrival, and a homicide investigation was initiated. The Jackson County Major Assault/Death Investigation Unit was activated by Ashland Detectives. The investigation has revealed the victim was inside his parked vehicle when an unidentified suspect approached and fired multiple rounds at the victim, striking him several times. ...Read more

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