Local News

Nine patients who survived and the families of nine other patients who died have filed a $303 million lawsuit against a Medford hospital, claiming it didn't follow proper safety protocols that would have prevented a nurse from stealing their prescribed fentanyl and replacing the painkiller with bacteria-laden tap water. The Oregonian reports the medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit represents the largest claim so far against Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for the alleged acts of former nurse Dani Marie Schofield in 2022 and 2023. Schofield has been charged with assaulting 44 patients for allegedly stealing their painkillers. Asante did not immediately return a request for comment about the lawsuit. Previously, only one suit had been filed – seeking $11.5 million for the death of a 65-year-old man whose family claims he developed a life-ending infection after Schofield allegedly swapped his painkillers with non-sterile tap water. The latest suit states that all of the 18 former patients listed as plaintiffs developed bacterial infections after an employee took their fentanyl and replaced it with tap water. The suit doesn't name Schofield or list her as a defendant who may be financially liable, but the suit's lawyers had previously identified her as the employee at the center of this case.

 

The Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division has released the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voters' Pamphlet for the November General Election. This online version of the Voters' Pamphlet is made available early to assist military and overseas voters who will receive their ballots later this month as well as voters interested in viewing the pamphlet information online. The printed version of the Voters' Pamphlet will be distributed to every Oregon household no later than the week of October 14th. The Voters' Pamphlet is not a comprehensive preview of what voters will see on their ballot. Not every candidate chooses to submit a statement and providing one is optional. With numerous issues and candidate races on the ballot in November, the Secretary of State's Office encourages all Oregonians to check their voter registration. Have you moved, changed your name or need to register for the first time? It takes only a few minutes to get "vote ready" at "OregonVotes.gov."

 

With a Heat Advisory going into effect today and lasting until Friday night, the Oregon Department of Forestry is reminding residents that fire season is not over. The National Weather Service has predicted high temperatures in Grants Pass over the next three days will be at or over 100 degrees. ODF officials said hot weather is back, which means we all need to do our part in preventing human-caused wildfires. Practice wildfire prevention by checking and complying with local fire restrictions. Don't drag tow chains and don't park over dry grass. Cover your outdoor debris piles and return to check old burn sites. Check restrictions before starting any type of fire including campfires. Fire danger in Josephine and Jackson counties remains "high" until further notice. Brush up on your wildfire prevention knowledge at "keeporegongreen.org."

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold five public hearings and consider two Administrative Action items regarding emergency services during its weekly business session tomorrow morning. One of the public hearings is on the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the Josephine County Code relating to Emergency Medical Services. The four other hearings are on the second readings of ordinances that would repeal outdated chapters in the County Code pertaining to the Payment of Attorney Fees, Utility Consumer Choice, Sanitary Landfills, and the Designation of Certain County Lands for Sanitary Landfills. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider an order to adopt Bylaws for the Emergency Medical Services Board along with another order to Renew the Ambulance Service Contract with American Medical Response. The Commissioners will open the meeting with a presentation from Legal Counsel on Special District Annexation and Withdrawal Requirements. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a young woman for assaulting her father with a vape pen at a northeast city residence early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 900-block of NE Savage Street on Monday shortly before 10 a.m.. Police said an 18-year-old woman called 9-1-1 to report that her father had pulled a knife on her, but an investigation determined the father removed the knife from the reach of the young woman who has a history of threatening others with knives. After officers interviewed witnesses at the scene, the teenager admitted to getting angry with her father and throwing a vape pen at his head. The impromptu weapon broke skin on her father and he was bleeding, but he refused medical treatment. While being placed into custody, the young woman admitted she had meth in her room and a small amount was seized for destruction. The young suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 2nd-Degree Assault and Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon. She was being held without bail. A charge of Meth Possession was forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for consideration.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant after he overdosed on narcotics in a parking lot off Williams Highway yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to perform a welfare check in the 1500-block of Highway 238 on Monday around 3:15 p.m.. Police said a 28-year-old male subject was contacted and he showed several signs of impairment before admitting to using a large amount of fentanyl. They said one four-milligram dose of Narcan was administered to the man and he recovered. A routine records check showed the subject was wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has a long criminal record including arrests for Assault, Burglary, Theft and Possession of Body Armor.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested an Illinois Valley man for impaired driving and other crimes after he wrecked a sport utility vehicle into the back of a commercial vehicle on Interstate 5 near Hugo early yesterday. OSP reports troopers and emergency personnel were dispatched to the two-vehicle crash in the northbound ascent up Mount Sexton near milepost 67 of I-5 at 8:17 a.m. Monday. Troopers said a preliminary investigation indicated a 44-year-old Selma man was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee that rear-ended a Hyundai semi-truck driven by a 55-year-old man from Victorville, California. They said the SUV driver displayed signs of impairment at the crash scene. According to OSP, a 36-year-old female passenger in the SUV was found to have serious injuries and she was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center. The heavily damaged SUV was towed to Grants Pass while the semi had minimal damage and it was able to be driven away. The Selma man was taken to the hospital for a legal blood draw that documented his impairment. He was cited to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Controlled Substances, Reckless Driving, Felony 3rd-Degree Assault, two counts of Reckless Endangering and Aggravated Driving While Suspended.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a Selma man for impaired driving and more after he wrecked his vehicle on Redwood Highway in the Illinois Valley. According to OSP, troopers and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle rollover crash near milepost 24 of US Highway 199 on Sunday at 9:19 p.m.. Troopers said the 48-year-old male driver and his 48-year-old female passenger were both ejected from the Dodge during the crash. They said several alcoholic beverages were found in the debris field from the wreck. It was unclear in the report how badly the occupants were injured. Upon contact with the driver, he displayed several indicators of impairment. A search warrant was obtained and he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented a high level of intoxication. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Reckless Driving, 3rd-Degree Felony Assault and Reckless Endangering. He was cited and released at the hospital, but his wrecked vehicle was impounded.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two men for drug possession early yesterday after they were found on private property in the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the former Elks Lodge building on SE J Street on Monday at about 2:25 a.m.. Police said they actually contacted three men on the property, but one of them was wanted on a local warrant and he fled on a bicycle after being advised to stop. The two other men -- ages 38 and 24 -- were detained. Both men consented to a search and they were found with methamphetamine. The suspects were lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. They were also trespassed from the property.