Firefighters Strengthen Containment on I-5 Fire ahead of Command Transition
Firefighters completed 50 feet of mop-up around I-5 MM 57 NB Fire perimeter, strengthening containment while holding the fire within its established footprint. A Level 2: BE SET Evacuation Warning is in effect for Zones GRA-022, GRA-034, GRA-036, and JCU-422-B. A Level 1: BE READY Evacuation Order for Zone JCU-422-C is also in effect. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the fire remains estimated at 96 acres. Hazard trees and snags continue to present one of the biggest challenges for firefighters working in the steep terrain, and crews will continue mitigating those hazards while extinguishing remaining hotspots. Tonight's resources include five 20-person hand crews, one dozer, four Type 6 engines, one Type 3 engine, six water tenders, and an infrared-equipped drone. It will fly the fire overnight to identify remaining heat sources and support tomorrow's operations. Beginning at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, Florida Forest Service Incident Management Team 1 will assume command of the fire while crews continue mop-up and containment operations. The transition comes as Southwest Oregon prepares for several days of extreme fire weather.
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GP Police Continue Search for Wanted Man Following Disturbance, Car Chase
Grants Pass Police continue searching for a domestic disturbance suspect. Dispatch was notified around 7:22 a.m. of a domestic disturbance in the 1400 block of NE Meier Drive. Police discovered the suspect had fled out the back door. After the investigation, officers established probable cause to arrest Anthony Teal, 36, for Strangulation and Menacing. The search continued for Teal in the area. He was then reported stealing a car at the corner of NE D Street and Beacon Drive. Teal had pulled the male driver out of his car, who attempted to keep control. With the victim driver hanging on, Teal hurriedly accelerated onto NE D. He then struck another motorist who had stopped after seeing the car theft. Teal sped backwards, with the victim driver still being dragged from the car, but who was soon able to free himself. Teal then fled that scene, and American Medical Response aided the victim driver. A Josephine County Sheriff’s deputy located Teal near the railroad bridge on the Grants Pass Parkway. A traffic stop was attempted, but Teal eluded. The pursuit was terminated, and law enforcement lost sight of Teal because it was too dangerous to follow him closely. ...Read more
Medford Man Indicted, Lodged on 12 Child Sex Abuse Charges
A report of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on a mobile device led to the arrest of a 29-year-old Medford man. A Jackson County Grand Jury returned an indictment Tuesday on all charges. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team and Medford Police Department had arrested the suspect Thursday, July 23rd at a residence in the 800 block of Bennett Avenue. The suspect, Jonathan Daniel Marquez, 29, of Medford, is charged with two counts of First Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse, and 10 counts of Second Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. SOCET began their investigation after MPD received a report of CSAM on a mobile device which led to subpoenas, followed by a search warrant at the residence. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force assisted in the investigation.
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