JoCo Board of Commissioners Approve Pharmaceutical Settlement During Meeting
A nationwide pharmaceutical company settlement will pay Josephine County in the coming years. During the Commissioners weekly meeting today, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks presented to the board that a proposed settlement had been reached nationwide with Purdue Pharma. Over the next 15 years, around $1.08 million will go to Josephine County in 16 payments starting next year. These are in addition to amounts available from the Purdue Estate. Overtime these settlements have already accumulated in Josephine County receipt accounts to about $2.3 million. Of that, $484k has been allocated. A projected $3.4 million is still to be paid out overtime. A motion to opt into the proposed settlement with Purdue Pharma and approve the proposed Purdue bankruptcy plan was made. It carried 3-0. During the meeting, Commissioner Blech brought up the Library lease saying there are drafts that need further review. He said to look to next week for further discussion of the Lease on the agenda.
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Final ODF Update for Kelsey Peak Fire Reports 97% Containment
Firefighters engaged on the Kelsey Peak Fire are continuing to finish mop-up operations and repairs, bringing the fire to 97% containment. Incident Management Team 1 has been assigned to the fire since September 8, and after 12 days, will be completing their final shift today. Despite steep terrain, dense brush, hazardous trees and rolling debris, firefighters were able to quickly build a control line around this fire and hold it at a final size of 1,039 acres during this timeframe. A Level 1 – BE READY evacuation notice from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office remains in effect for Rogue River Ranch, Tucker Flat Campground and Marial.
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ICAC and SOCET Jackson County Operation Results in 2 Arrests for Child Exploitation
The Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force worked with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) to execute several search warrants. The operation resulted in two arrests connected to an ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse material being traded online. Preliminary findings indicate more than a thousand images and videos were exchanged over social media platforms. The warrants, carried out in Jackson County, targeted individuals suspected of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first and second degree. Investigators seized multiple electronic devices, which will undergo forensic analysis, and the evidence will be referred to prosecutors for review.
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