Emergency Crews Responded to Fatal Vehicle Crash in Murphy
The 911 Dispatch Center was notified Monday at 5:07 p.m. of a motor vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality in Murphy. Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response, Oregon State Police, and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to find a pickup truck rolled off an embankment and the driver had been ejected. The driver Brent Smith, 54, was deceased upon arrival and was the only occupant in the vehicle. The initial investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling towards Spencer Creek on a gravel BLM road. The vehicle left the roadway, and went down an embankment, striking several trees, before coming to rest on its side nearly 500 feet down from the roadway. Josephine County Search & Rescue's Rope Team was activated and successfully recovered Brent. Next of kin has been notified. No further information will be released at this time.
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Fire Season Ends Wednesday
The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District is officially declaring an end to the 2026 fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties, effective Wednesday, October 28th, at 12:01 a.m. Recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and a shift toward consistent fall weather have allowed all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to be lifted. Since fire season was declared on May 15, ODF firefighters have responded to 210 fires across Jackson and Josephine counties, totaling approximately 17,220 acres burned. Crews successfully kept 95% of fires at 10 acres or less, just below ODF's annual goal of 98%. The termination of fire season removes ODF's seasonal fire prevention regulations on equipment use and debris burning for the public and industrial operations on protected forestlands. However, industrial slash burning remains prohibited. Before burning, residents should check with their local fire department for permit requirements and confirm that burning is allowed in their area. Residents can check daily burning conditions through their county's burn information line:
- Jackson County Burn Line: (541) 776-7007
- Josephine County Burn Line: (541) 476-9663
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Ashland Police Officer Involved In Shooting
Officers with the Ashland Police Department responded to the area of the 200 block of “A” Street on a report of a business alarm early this morning. Upon arrival after the 2 a.m. report, officers encountered a lone suspect exiting the area of multiple businesses with shattered storefront windows. The suspect approached the officers while armed with a knife. One of the officers fired his department issued sidearm at the suspect, striking the suspect, who was then transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center for treatment by Ashland Fire & Rescue. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is handling this investigation, in conjunction with the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Officers were additionally supported by the Oregon State Police as well as the Medford and Talent Police Departments. Further news releases will be forthcoming from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.
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