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Medford BLM District Reopens Public Lands after Upper Applegate & Salt Creek Fires

The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management has reopened public lands within and near the two largest wildfires in southwest Oregon this summer. The Upper Applegate Fire near Ruch started on June 20th and it was finally contained at 1,143 acres while the Salt Creek Fire between Eagle Point and Butte Falls started on July 7th and it was contained at 4,102 acres. The Oregon Department of Forestry said the cause of the Upper Applegate Fire was illegal mowing of dry grass and the cause of the Salt Creek Fire remains under investigation but it was likely caused by human activity. Before venturing out to public lands near these two wildfire areas, BLM officials warn citizens to be aware that safety concerns still exit. Ash and dust from the fires may contain toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. Watch out for fire¬-weakened trees and limbs that can fall without warning. If the wind picks up, leave the area immediately. In wet weather, water or mud may build up quickly and cause a landslide. Stump holes can remain hot long after a fire is out and footing can be unstable if roots have burned out underground.

Posted on 9/21/24 6:33AM by Sam Marsh

Bureau of Land Management Reopens Rainie Falls Trail after 2022 Rum Creek Fire

The Grants Pass Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management is excited to announce that repair work has finished on the Rainie Falls Trail nearly three months ahead of schedule. BLM officials said the barriers were removed Friday and the public is once again allowed to use the trail on the south side of the Rogue River near Grave Creek. The area has been closed since the Rum Creek Fire in 2022. Officials said there is still the potential for hazards in the burned area including falling trees and limbs, debris flows, falling rocks and other safety concerns. The Rum Creek Fire caused rock, trees and other debris to fall on the tread of the trail. Retaining wall features built out of wood, railroad ties and metal stakes were burnt and damaged to the point of failure. The trail posed extreme fall hazards. The BLM contracted with Work Horse, Inc., out of Enterprise, Oregon, to repair the trail at a cost of approximately $230,000.

Posted on 9/21/24 6:31AM by Sam Marsh

Three Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Medford Teen's Drug Overdose Death

Three Oregon men were sentenced to federal prison yesterday for distributing fentanyl that caused the overdose death of a Medford teenager. According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, 22-year-old Napoleon Gomez of Medford was sentenced to 87 months in prison and six years of supervised release, 27-year-old Conner Lee Francis of Portland was sentenced to 73 months in prison and four years of supervised release, and 23-year-old Hunter Fenstermaker of Medford was sentenced to 60 months in prison and six years of supervised release. All three were also ordered to pay restitution to the victim's family. On September 7, 2021, the Medford Police Department responded to a report of an overdose death of a 17-year-old high school student. Investigators learned the teen had taken a counterfeit Percocet pill containing fentanyl and -- within days -- identified Fenstermaker, Gomez and Francis as the teen's first-, second- and third-level drug suppliers. On February 3, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a five-count indictment charging Fenstermaker and Gomez with Distributing Fentanyl, and Francis with Possessing Fentanyl with the Intent to Distribute and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Fenstermaker, Gomez and Francis all pleaded guilty on April 9th, June 17th and June 24th of this year. On May 14th of this year, a fourth person -- 31-year-old John Rocha of Medford -- was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in the Medford teen's death. He was the teen's fourth-level drug supplier. The case was investigated by the FBI, Medford Police Department and Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE).

Posted on 9/20/24 11:48AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Young Woman for Attacking Boyfriend at Redwood Area Home

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a young woman early today for assaulting her boyfriend at a home in the Redwood area of Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 19-year-old female subject at 1:45 this morning for the incident that occurred in the 900-block of Darneille Lane. Deputies said the male victim advised his girlfriend of eight months physically attacked him at the residence and he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center to seek medical attention as he felt dizzy and dazed after the incident that occurred late last night. He was not seriously injured, but wanted to press charges. After searching the area, deputies located the young woman and placed her into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 9/20/24 11:47AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man on Jackson County Warrant after Goodwill Shoplift Call

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on an out-of-county warrant while investigating a shoplifting incident at Southern Oregon Goodwill last night. The Police Department reports officers arrested 57-year-old Charles Joe Mussman, Jr., at the store in the Grants Pass Shopping Center on Thursday at 7:16 p.m.. Police said Mussman had been detained by Goodwill loss prevention for trying to steal under $100 worth of store merchandise. He was described as "cooperative." Upon arrival, officers placed the suspect into custody and discovered that he was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. Mussman was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of 3rd-Degree Theft. Goodwill recovered the stolen items.

Posted on 9/20/24 11:45AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Woman for Trying to Steal from Cave Junction Supermarket

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for attempting to steal items from a Cave Junction supermarket yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a shoplifting complaint at Shop Smart on West Watkins Street on Thursday around 2:25 p.m.. Deputies said the store manager reported 39-year-old Kristle Lynne Smart stole flowers, beer and other items from the deli. The manager advised the suspect had been previously trespassed from the business. Upon arrival, deputies placed the suspect into custody without incident. Smart was transported to Grants Pass and booked into the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. Her corrections officer was notified and she was trespassed from Shop Smart for one year.

Posted on 9/20/24 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Dancing in Street & Disrupting Downtown Traffic

Grants Pass Police arrested a young man for disrupting traffic in the downtown area early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the incident at the corner of NE 6th and E streets on Thursday at 7:08 a.m.. Police said a 19-year-old male subject was dancing in the street, causing at least 12 cars to come to a stop and preventing traffic from flowing. They said he was taken into custody and started to complain about several health concerns. The young man was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center and cited to appear in court for Disorderly Conduct at the hospital where he then sought medical treatment. At the request of Safeway staff, the suspect was trespassed from the store due to a previous incident. At the request of Three Rivers Medical Center security, he was also trespassed from the hospital -- he is only allowed to be at the facility for emergency treatment.

Posted on 9/20/24 11:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Motorist for Suspended Driving Incident at City Park

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for suspended driving yesterday after a citizen called 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity at Redwood Park. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the city park on Dowell Road on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m.. Police said a 52-year-old male subject drove into Redwood Park around noon and consumed multiple alcoholic beverages. A citizen observed the incident and called for help, worried that the man might try to drive. Upon arrival, officers found the subject sitting in the driver's seat of a burgundy-colored Ford sport utility vehicle and consuming an adult beverage. He admitted to driving to the park with a suspended license, so he was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged in jail for Driving While Suspended and his SUV was impounded. He was also issued a 30-day exclusion from Redwood Park.

Posted on 9/20/24 11:41AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Apprehended Woman on Douglas County Warrant at CJ RV Park

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman who was wanted on an out-of-county warrant at an Illinois Valley RV park late yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies placed the 60-year-old woman into custody at the RV Park near Cave Junction on Thursday at 5:53 p.m.. Deputies said the female subject was wanted on a Douglas County warrant for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. No details about the alleged crime were available. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 9/20/24 11:37AM by Sam Marsh

IVFD and AMR Crews Responded to Motor Vehicle Crashes in Kerby and CJ

The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response rushed to the scene of motor vehicle accidents in the Kerby and Cave Junction areas yesterday. On Thursday at 1:21 p.m., IVFD and AMR crews were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash in the 100-block of Kerby Street in Kerby. Arriving units found two vehicles with damage and at least one travel lane was blocked. No one was hurt. Jerry's Towing arrived and removed the vehicles from the roadway. The Oregon State Police was conducting an investigation. On Thursday at 9:01 p.m., IVFD and AMR responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 900-block of Hays Cutoff Road near Cave Junction. No one was hurt. Jerry's Towing removed the vehicle from the roadway. OSP was investigating.

Posted on 9/20/24 11:36AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Warning Southern Oregon Residents of Blackmail Extortion Scam

Authorities are alerting the public to a blackmail extortion scam that has recently emerged in Southern Oregon. According to the Medford Police Department and Josephine County Sheriff's Office, scammers are e-mailing individuals claiming they have knowledge of something about you and are using it as leverage to blackmail you out of money. Victims have reported receiving e-mails from individuals claiming to have personal, incriminating information. The scammers have obtained names, phone numbers and addresses, and they are sure to include that personal information to try to bolster their story. They are also using online images of your home and including them in the e-mail to prove they know where you live. The scammer then demands payment via Bitcoin to prevent release of this alleged incriminating information. This is a scam. Law enforcement strongly advised the public not to pay attention. If payment is made, the scammer will likely continue to exploit the victim for more money. Do not engage with them and simply delete the e-mail. If the e-mails persist, contact your local law enforcement agency. Online scam artists are continually evolving their tactics. To protect yourself, do not open e-mails from unknown senders, do not click on suspicious attachments, and be cautious when interacting with unfamiliar individuals on social media. If you've received these e-mails, report them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at "ic3.gov."

Posted on 9/20/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Man on Felony Warrant after Eastside Domestic Disturbance

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on an out-of-county felony warrant this week following a domestic disturbance near an eastside supermarket. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 31-year-old male subject in the 2,000-block of NE Fairview Avenue on Wednesday morning. Police said they responded to four people in a purple pickup truck with one of the male occupants beating up a female occupant. They said the man and woman were hitting each other and the other male occupants were trying to stop them. The other two men drove off in the pickup with the man and woman still throwing punches. A short time later, the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call from a resident about a man and woman fist-fighting in front of their home. That's when officers arrived on scene, broke up the scuffle and learned that the man whom they identified as 31-year-old Christian Bradley was wanted on a Jackson County felony warrant for Parole Violation related to a burglary conviction. Bradley was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. The woman was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center on a Police Officer Mental Hold. No physical injuries were observed, so no domestic violence charges were filed.

Posted on 9/20/24 6:27AM by Sam Marsh

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