JCSO, MADIU Detectives Investigating Central Point 2-Year-Old's Death
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division detectives are investigating the death of a 2-year-old child in rural Central Point. Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit detectives responded to assist. Dispatch received a call at 4:30 a.m. for a missing child in the 9900 block of Blackwell Road in rural Central Point. Deputies and Oregon State Police troopers arrived on scene and immediately began searching for the child. The child was located deceased at 5:41 a.m. Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. This case is open and ongoing with detectives following additional leads. There is no further information available for release at this time. ...Read more

Fielder Mountain Fire Holds Under Critical Weather Conditions

Despite critical fire weather on Tuesday, the 53% contained Fielder Mountain Fire remained inside firelines and had minimal fire behavior. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews continued mop-up activities along the fire edge, reaching 200 feet interior across most of the incident. Today, firefighters will continue this work, pushing deeper into the fire, as well as checking areas previously mopped up to ensure there is no threat of rekindling fire. Unneeded equipment and hose are being backhauled from the fireline to be cleaned and refurbished for use on the next incident. As firefighters progress further into the fire interior, they remain vigilant for overhead hazards and ash pits. Critical weather conditions are expected again today with temperatures in the low 90’s, slightly improved humidity in the mid-20’s, and winds with gusts to 15 MPH. Repair work is beginning in the fire area, as crews are constructing water bars along the fireline to divert water during rainy periods, mitigating soil erosion and impacts to water quality. ...Read more

Martin Appointed to Court Security Committee at Workshop

Josephine County Commissioner Colene Martin was appointed to the Court Security Committee at Tuesday's 1:30 p.m. workshop. Legal Counsel recommended the signing of a commissioner to the committee after consulting international firms regarding security issues. Other board business included a preliminary discussion for funding infrastructure projects or planning for potential upcoming projects. Commissioner Gary Richardson has reached out to Kerby and Cave Junction about potential projects, and the conversation will be moved forward to a Weekly Business Session. During a Rogue Workforce Partnership Consortium (RWPC) conversation, Legal Counsel reiterated the county is not part of the consortium. Commissioner Ron Smith requested budgetary numbers on county members helped, as well as a track record of people put to work through the organization. Martin wanted Legal Counsel to review governing documents provided by the RWPC before further decisions were made on provided documents. ...Read more