Local News

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team joint inter-agency task force arrested five suspects Wednesday on a total of 39 encouraging child sexual abuse felony charges. Investigations led to arrests throughout Jackson County including Medford, Ashland, White City, and Eagle Point. Although the cases are not connected, total felony charges included 30 counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, and nine counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. The first arrest came in Eagle Point in the 400 block of Stevens Road in Eagle Point where the task force located and arrested Kevin Lee Bratton, 46, of Eagle Point, on 10 felony counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff’s office released information Wednesday afternoon on a Marijuana Enforcement Team raid on August 26th that netted 2,500 pounds of processed marijuana, 11,600 marijuana plants and resulted in the arrest of one. The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 700 Block of Althouse Creek Road, Cave Junction.). 33-year-old Richard James Bassett Jr. was taken into custody and lodged in The Josephine County Jail. He is charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana, and Unlawful Appropriation of Ground Water. The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property. All the marijuana was destroyed and additionally, one firearm was located and seized.The warrant was executed with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADEAt the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old runaway boy from the Merlin area. William Herren is a white male, five feet five inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds and has brown/blond hair with blue eyes. William is suspected to be wearing dark clothing, a hoodie and dark jeans and may have a cowboy hat. He may be trying to conceal his face with a bandana. William is known to frequent the Cave Junction area, particularly Jubilee Park.
Please contact Josephine County Sheriff's Office if you have any information. 541-474-5123

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect while on a welfare check for a dog and puppies.

Officers were called out to the park at the end of South Old Stage Road in Cave Junction Tuesday. People were camped in the area with a pit bull and her puppies in the area. Some appeared to be malnourished and were in a small cage.

While on the welfare check, they contacted Shannon Petersen. She was uncooperative and was taken into custody on an Oregon Parole Board Warrant for a Post-Prison Supervision Sanction.

She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. All the dogs appeared healthy in weight and had access to water.

 

College has begun for many, and families are both excited and anxious, wondering about financial security. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) reminds Oregonians that having proper insurance coverage can provide greater peace of mind and protect your family. If your student is moving into a dorm room, your homeowner's policy will likely cover their personal property. Ask your child to tell you if they buy a new computer or other pricey items, and have them keep receipts. Students living off campus should consider renters insurance. This coverage protects students' personal property and provides liability coverage. If your student drives, Oregon requires every vehicle on the road to have auto liability coverage. If the title to the vehicle is in your student's name, they must have their own policy. If your college student is driving a vehicle you own, your child can likely stay on your policy and be listed as a driver.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect after a fight broke out.

On Tuesday evening, the suspect, Duane Clark, and another man began a physical altercation on California Avenue. Several other people engaged in the fight until the man asked his son to get a handgun from their vehicle.

The altercation ended, and the man reported having bruising and swelling to his face and left shoulder. He was trespassed from the location, and wanted to make a police report, but refused to answer questions or give video footage his son captured.

Officers reviewed the footage and text messages on the man's phone saying he was going to "deal with" Clark. Several witnesses reported the man was the primary aggressor.

Officers contacted Clark and found he had a valid Out of County Hold Warrant and was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

 

Pacific Power is introducing a new customer incentive program to increase reliability and grid efficiency while keeping costs low.

The program, Cool Keeper, a demand response program that optimizes electricity use on summer days, will help customers stay comfortable while supporting a reliable and efficient energy grid.

Pacific Power says this program is a way for residential customers to benefit the environment and help keep electricity costs low. Through a device installed free of charge on air conditioners and heat pumps, Pacific Power can partner with customers to temporarily reduce energy use without compromising comfort.

Participants sign up just once, and then receive a $30 bill credit every year, distributed in monthly increments from May through September. To participate, customers must have an eligible cooling system. Most central air conditioning units and central heat pumps qualify; however, eligibility will be confirmed during an on-site visit.

The program will initially be available to customers in the Rogue Valley and Central Oregon. As the program expands in 2026, more customers will be able to enroll.

To learn more or sign up, visit PacificPower.net/CoolKeeper or call 1-800-357-9214.

 

The Oregon Department of Justice is alerting the public to watch out for scammers impersonating Oregon Attorneys.

In the first case, a fraudulent website impersonating an Oregon Attorney successfully scammed victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One victim obtained the fake attorney's information through the dating app Hinge.

They believed the individual to be a real attorney offering investment services, transferring funds to them expecting returns.

In a separate incident, a consumer lost over $700,000 when scammers gained unauthorized access to both the attorney's and the client's email accounts. They impersonated the client to provide false wiring instructions, and the attorney to cancel a scheduled meeting.

This matter is under investigation by the FBI. They remind the public that, if they have been impacted by this scam, to file a report with their local police department or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center as quickly as possible.

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself.

 

A lane and road closure was announced affecting downtown Grants Pass.

Now through Friday, September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, NE D Street from Mill Street to NE Foothill Blvd, will have intermittent lane closures with active flagging for utility adjustments.

The following week, from Monday, September 8th, through Friday, September 12th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., drivers should expect active paving.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Call CPI at 541-862-2390 for more information on the lane closure.

Beginning today through September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., NW 5th Street from A Street to Evelyn Avenue will be closed for deep sewer lateral repairs.

There will be local access from A Street to Evelyn, but the road will be closed around the 800 block.

Motorists are again advised to find another way around. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through. For more information on the road closure, call Timber Mountain Construction at 541-956-8700.