JCSO SAR Locate Missing Hunter with Assistance from California SAR, Community

A missing hunter was found safe Wednesday after spending more than 72 hours lost in the remote wilderness near Prospect. According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO), despite three days outdoors in cold temperatures, the 60-year-old man was in good condition. The hunter, who went missing Sunday, November 8, walked out of the wilderness and was located by fellow hunters Wednesday at 10:26 a.m. on the 900 Road near County Line Road outside Prospect. He was taken to a nearby JCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) checkpoint, where he reunited with family and friends. Before the hunter was located, an extensive search effort was underway involving law enforcement, search and rescue teams, and community volunteers. Search methods included using ground personnel, K-9 teams, multiple airplanes, and a helicopter. During the search, JCSO deputies and SAR personnel expanded the search area and requested assistance from the California Oregon Regional Search and Rescue task force. More than 50 SAR personnel and approximately 80 community volunteers participated in the search. The public is reminded, when heading into the wilderness, to prepare for the unexpected. If you become lost, remember these important safety tips: Stay put, call for help, stay warm and dry, make yourself visible, and plan ahead. ...Read more

BCC Approves Leadership Committee Policy Repeal at Workshop

The Board of Commissioners approved the repeal of a Leadership Committee Administrative Policy and Public Works requests for fuel tank installations. During the board's 1:30 p.m. workshop Tuesday, a motion favoring the proposed repeal of the policy passed 2-1, with Legal Counsel Wally Hicks recommending it be replaced with a separate process. Commissioner Ron Smith abstained. The board moved to approve 3-0 a Mascott Equipment Company quote not to exceed over $126,000, with the cost being covered by road funds. Public Works also requested signing approval for an M&M Services, LLC contract. Following the unanimous motion, the Kerby Shop fuel tank will be decommissioned, and a new tank will be installed, not to exceed a cost of over $143,000. Finance's request to extend a Time Clock Plus contract passed 3-0, and the board permitted Director Matthew Eide to give department invoice approvals as needed. The board will revisit the Building Fees topic November 24th, and set a public meeting to address the fees for December 16th. A resolution for Reserve Fund Continuation was tabled. ...Read more

North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of Oregon Minor

A North Carolina man has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to coerce and entice a minor in Medford to engage in unlawful sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford announced today. Sage Austin Miller, 28, from Winston Salem, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. According to court documents, on September 23rd and 24th, 2024, Miller used Snapchat to communicate with a person he believed was a 16-year-old girl living in Medford. During the online communications, Miller attempted to persuade and entice the purported minor to meet him for sexual activity. Miller later traveled to and arrived at a predetermined meeting location. As part of his plea agreement, Miller admitted that he used a cellular phone connected to the internet to communicate with a person he believed was under the age of 18 and that his conduct constituted a substantial step toward committing the offense. The conduct would have violated Oregon's Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree statute had the planned encounter occurred. ...Read more