BCC to Further Consider Legal Counsel Agenda Items at WBS

The Board of County Commissioners met for a Legal Counsel Update, and will further consider policy revisions and a resolution at the next Weekly Business Session. Administrative Policy revisions were discussed first regarding social media and public records. There was reported concern about inconsistencies and a lack of clarity on how social media should be handled, and it was felt the policy was out of date. Revisions would consider what is and isn't acceptable as far as social media's usage. For the Public Records policy, the goal is to clearly define when an elected official is making decisions on their own, and how that becomes severable from the records management officer's authority. Also to be clarified is the records process. Both are slated to be discussed further during the October 7th Weekly Business Session. The Josephine County Strategic Communications Plan was approved without objection. Legal Counsel will proceed with a draft of a Departmental Procedure from amendment to personnel policy for Direct Reports to the board. ...Read more

BLM, U.S. Wildland Fire Service to Begin Prescribed Burning Operations

The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will begin prescribed burning operations throughout Oregon and Washington as weather, fuel, and air quality become favorable. According to the BLM, operations will continue throughout the fall and winter. These burns are carefully planned to reduce hazardous fuels, protect nearby communities, and restore native ecosystems. Information about specific upcoming and active burns is available at www.blm.gov. Techniques range from broadcast burning, which is the application of fire to an entire area, to hand and machine pile ignitions. These burns focus on increasing safety in the Wildland-Urban Interface and restoring ecological function to the landscape. During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight. Residents in these areas are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts. When driving in smoky areas, slow down and turn on headlights. People with heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, should ask their doctors about protecting themselves from smoke, and monitor their local air quality map. ...Read more

Chronic Elude Suspect Arrested, Search Warrants Reveal Loaded Firearm, Drugs

A drug dealer is in jail after multiple attempted eludes throughout Jackson County. The suspect, Ismael Garcia-Nava Jr., 32, of Medford, remains lodged in the Jackson County Jail after crashing September 19th while attempting to elude Central Point Police Department officers. Garcia-Nava was originally arrested August 12th after crashing during an attempted elude with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Due to jail overcrowding he was force released August 22nd before a search uncovered the drugs and firearm in his vehicle. Multiple search warrants revealed more than 100g of fentanyl, nearly 400g of heroin, 28g of methamphetamines, scales, packaging material, and a loaded firearm. Garcia-Nava was lodged in the second elude case September 19th. He was charged with Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, and Delivery of Controlled Substances, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, multiple counts of Elude, and Reckless Driving. ...Read more