Former Asante Nurse Indicted for Stealing Fentanyl from RRMC Patients is Free on Bail

A former Asante nurse charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault after she allegedly harmed patients by swapping prescription pain medication with non-sterile tap water has posted bail a little over one week after her arrest by Medford police. Jackson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Aaron Lewis confirmed on Friday morning that Dani Marie Schofield had been released from the Jackson County Jail at about 10:40 a.m. after a $400,000 wire transfer -- 10% of her $4 million bail -- was received by the Jackson County Circuit Court. The Rogue Valley Tribune reports a grand jury indicted the former Medford nurse on accusations of harming 44 patients in the intensive care unit of Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center over a year-long span while she allegedly stole fentanyl prescribed to ease their pain. Medford police announced that the Jackson County grand jury indicted Schofield on 44 counts of second-degree assault. That's one count for every patient she is alleged to have "intentionally or knowingly" injured through her actions from July 2022 to July 2023, which is when she stopped working at the hospital, according to police. Police say Schofield is accused of taking patients' fentanyl for her own personal use and replacing it with non-sterile tap water, causing them to develop life-threatening infections. ...Read more

Firefighters Continue to Make Good Progress on Upper Applegate and Highway 62 Fires

Firefighters continued to make good progress on both the Upper Applegate Fire near Ruch and the Highway 62 Fire near Shady Cove on Friday. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the Upper Applegate Fire remains an estimated 500 acres while the Highway 62 Fire remains at 75 acres with 100% of the perimeter lined. The Upper Applegate Fire remains ODF Southwest's top priority. Firefighters have been able to build indirect line around 70% of the fire and 10% direct line at the fire's edge. However, steep, rocky terrain and hazardous snag trees are creating challenges for resources and slowing down progress. The region's largest wildfire so far this year was staffed overnight with 153 people including six 20-person crews, two engines, two water tenders and two bulldozers. Numerous aircraft remain assigned to the incident as well including three large air tankers, one very large air tanker and several helicopters based in Medford. Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notices remain in place for Little Applegate Road west of Upper Applegate Road and eastern portions of Sterling Creek Road along with Eastside Road south of Little Applegate Road to north of McKee Bridge. ODF officials have not yet determined the causes of the two wildfires. ...Read more

State Fire Marshal Encourages Oregonians to Keep Fireworks Use "Legal and Safe"

With fireworks set to go on sale on Sunday, "Keep It Legal, Keep It Safe" is the message from the Oregon State Fire Marshal. The 2024 fireworks retail sales season begins tomorrow and runs through July 6th in Oregon. The state fire marshal would like everyone to know which fireworks are legal to use, where fireworks can be used and how to use them safely. To reduce the risk of starting a fire, some local governments have firework sales or use restrictions in place. Oregonians are encouraged to check local regulations and follow them where they live or where they may be traveling for the Fourth of July. Consumer-legal fireworks can only be purchased from permitted fireworks stands and retailers. State regulations limit where those fireworks may be used including public lands and parks. The possession and use of fireworks are prohibited in national parks and forests, on BLM lands, on US Fish and Wildlife properties, on state beaches, in state parks and in state campgrounds. Fireworks are also prohibited on many private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. ...Read more