Local News

The Medford Police Department has launched a new public crime mapping portal. Through the Geoshield Communities program, Medford residents can now view reported crimes in their city using customizable filters and settings. This user-friendly tool allows the public to search by specific areas and crime types to stay informed about incidents in their neighborhoods. MPD Deputy Chief Trevor Arnold said this program is designed to enhance transparency and provide accessible information. He said it is not intended to be used for reporting crimes or as an official record for crime statistics. For more detailed information about a case, citizens can submit a public records request. According to Arnold, their goal is to enhance community awareness, encourage proactive safety measures, and build trust between law enforcement and the community. He said by making this information accessible, they're taking an important step toward making Medford a safer place for everyone.

 

As the leaves begin to change color and cooler weather sets in, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Fire Service remind everyone of the importance of home fire safety. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month. This year's theme -- "Celebrate Fire Safety" -- calls on Oregonians to take action to reduce fire risks and protect their loved ones. In 2023, 2,518 residential fires in Oregon resulted in $119.5 million in losses to homeowners. Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires, followed closely by home heating. In 417 of those fires, no smoke alarm was present. Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said they're calling on all Oregon residents to take proactive, life-saving steps to protect their families, their homes and their future. There are several simple things Oregonians can do to lessen the chance of a home fire and increase safety. Install and maintain smoke alarms, practice cooking safely, use heating equipment safely, create and practice a home fire escape plan, and consider alternatives to candles. For more information about Fire Prevention Month and more tips to prevent the top causes of home fires in Oregon, please visit "oregon.gov/osfm."

 

A New York man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison this week for traveling to Southern Oregon to sexually abuse a child and capturing the abuse on video. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon reports 26-year-old Brent Johnson, Jr., was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by a life term of supervised release. Court documents show that in August 2021, Johnson contacted a child through an online video game and, after exchanging phone numbers with the child, continued communicating with them via text messages and phone calls. Undeterred by the child's age, Johnson traveled to Southern Oregon in late 2021 when he sexually abused the child and captured the abuse on video. In February 2022, the child's mother contacted law enforcement after receiving text messages and images from Johnson. On May 5, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Johnson with sexually exploiting a child, distributing child pornography and traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. On June 26th of this year, Johnson pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations agents in Long Island, New York, and in Medford as well as the Rogue River Police Department. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to contact HSI at (866)-347-2423 or submit a tip online at "report.cybertip.org."

 

The former healthcare provider at the Josephine County Jail -- where a woman died by suicide while in custody -- reached a settlement with the woman's family once a judge ruled the company should face sanctions for destroying the e-mails of staff involved in her care. The Oregonian reports the case filed by the estate of Janelle Marie Butterfield marks the third time a judge has granted a motion for sanctions against Wellpath for "intentional destruction" of e-mail evidence while legal actions were pending, stemming from the deaths of people in the company's care in jails in Oregon and Washington. Wellpath -- one of the country's largest private prison and jail healthcare providers -- paid an undisclosed sum to Butterfield's estate, according to court records and the lawyers who filed suit. The wrongful death case is still pending against Josephine County. The 34-year-old Butterfield was booked into the jail on July 27, 2018, amid a severe mental breakdown, accused of failing to appear in court on pending misdemeanor charges. She was placed in a jail segregation cell upon her arrival and spent 40 days in the cell before she was found dead by suicide on September 5, 2018. According to her family's lawyers, she had a history of several mental illness known to the jail staff, but did not see a doctor, nurse, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner while at the jail.

 

Families are invited to the Healthy Kids Event on Saturday at AllCare Health in Grants Pass. This community event focused on promoting families along with children's health and well-being will take place tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1701 NE 7th Street. This inaugural event will feature free games from Rockin' Rentals, face painting and lots of giveaways. Some of Southern Oregon's finest health care professionals will be there offering free health, dental and vision screenings. There will also be free immunizations from Grants Pass Clinic, Siskiyou Community Health Center and AllCare Medical Group. MoreLife Ice and Scoop & Sips will be providing free ice cream to the first 100 children at the Healthy Kids Event. Dutch Bros will be there serving free hot chocolate. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks. Grants Pass Broadcasting's KLDR and KRRM will be holding a "live" remote at the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. This a free family-friendly event that is open to everyone. Bring your kids to the Healthy Kids Event for a day of fun, prizes and valuable health services.

 

A Grants Pass trespassing complaint led to the apprehension of a man wanted on a total of 10 outstanding warrants yesterday. Grants Pass Police responded to a trespassing call at a home in the 900-block of SW Bridge Street on Wednesday around 1:30 p.m.. Police said a man called 9-1-1 after a male subject identified as 31-year-old Tyler Hopkins showed up at his house extremely intoxicated. The subject refused to leave and fell asleep on a pull-out couch in the living room. The caller thought he should be taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center. Upon arrival, officers discovered that Hopkins was wanted on a total of 10 warrants -- seven out of Klamath County, two out of Clackamas County and one out of Grants Pass. Charges contained in the warrants included 4th-Degree Assault, Harassment, multiple counts of Contempt of Court and failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Hopkins was placed into custody, but he was cited and released to the care of Three Rivers Medical Center due to his very high level of intoxication.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on a local felony warrant about four miles west of Grants Pass early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies contacted and then arrested 43-year-old Jeremy James Steggell in the 3800-block of Lower River Road on Wednesday at 1:40 a.m.. No details about the contact were disclosed, but Steggell was placed into custody on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Burglary. Steggell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on scheduled bail of $10,000.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a heavily intoxicated woman during a downtown welfare check yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to check on a female subject who was sitting on a sidewalk at SW J and 5th streets on Wednesday at 11:46 a.m.. Police said a downtown business owner reported they thought the woman was highly intoxicated as she appeared to be in a trance. The caller said the woman was not responding when she was asked questions. Officers arrived on scene and confirmed the 32-year-old woman was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol. She became combative when they tried to assist her, so they placed her into custody. The woman whom GPPD identified as "Chantal Roseann Haney" was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man who tried to steal beer and jerky from Fred Meyer last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the store on the Grants Pass Parkway on Wednesday at 7:26 p.m.. Police said Fred Meyer loss prevention alerted them to a male subject who stole a six-pack of beer and a large package of beef jerky valued at about $25. The man reportedly began making verbal threats to store security when they confronted him. Upon arrival, officers contacted a man they identified as 29-year-old Manuel Rogelio Segura near the store with the beer and jerky still in his possession. He was placed into custody and the stolen items were returned to the store. Segura was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from Fred Meyer.