Firefighters Continue Aggressive Woodrat Firefight, Estimated at 200 Acres
The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the Woodrat Mountain Fire is now estimated at 200 acres. Firefighters continue making steady progress across much of the incident, the right flank is halfway lined with dozer line. Fire activity remains most active at the head of the fire, where crews are responding to multiple spot fires southeast in the direction of Sterling Creek. Aircraft remain heavily engaged throughout the incident. Two additional large air tankers (LATs), accompanied by a lead plane, are joining the existing aviation response. They will work alongside the air tankers and helicopters already assigned to the fire, utilizing both retardant drops and water bucket drops to support firefighters on the ground. Multiple hand crews, dozers, engines, and water tenders continue strengthening control lines and working to check the fire's spread in challenging terrain. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has issued a Level 3: GO NOW Evacuation order for Zones JAC-428-A and JAC-436, a Level 2: BE SET for Zone JAC-428-B, and a Level 1: BE READY to evacuate for Zones JAC-421, JAC-422, JAC-423, JAC-427, JAC-429, JAC-434, JAC-437, and JAC-438. The Jackson County Fairgrounds, 21 Peninger Road, in Central Point is open for animal evacuations.
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JoCo Sheriff's Office Updates Public on Search for Missing Man
The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is providing an update after receiving a report of missing adult, David Wright back on July 26th. The initial investigation indicates that David left on his own accord on July 21st between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on a white bicycle, leaving his cell phone and personal financial documents on the desk in his office. Detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office continued their investigation July 27th and located camera footage of David at Dollar General in Murphy around 9:25 a.m. on the bicycle, where he purchased a bottle of water. Five minutes later, additional footage was observed of Wright riding his bicycle outbound on Highway 238 towards Hidden Valley Market. This was the last time Wright was seen in the area. Detectives have continued searching daily since his disappearance. Cameras and roadways in all the surrounding areas, including Provolt, Williams, and Wilderville have been searched.
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Eight Arrested for 71 Felony Counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse
The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested eight suspects Wednesday on a total of 71 encouraging child sex abuse felony charges. The first arrest was around 6:30 a.m. when deputies pulled over a suspect near his residence in the 1500 block of Clear Springs Drive in Medford. Eric Richard Rand, 58, of Medford, was arrested. The task force then located and arrested Charles Harvey McMillan, 33, of Talent at 6:40 a.m. Just before 8 a.m., Medford Police located the next suspect sleeping in his car at Holmes Park. Jermaine “JJ” Owens, 53, of Medford, was then arrested for his charges. Around 8:04 a.m., Joel Vincente Leal, 21, was arrested for his charges at his apartment in the 1000 block of Spring Street in Medford. Minutes later, investigators located and arrested Robert Paul Phillips, 74, at his residence in the 300 block of West Gregory Road in rural Central Point.
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