Public Sex Offender Notification Issued after Convicted Felon Released from Custody

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has issued a "Sex Offender Notification" to the public on a man who has been convicted for sex abuse and attempted rape. The Sheriff's Office reports 46-year-old Uriah Shawn Strauss was released from custody by court order on Wednesday. Strauss is a Level 3 Sex Offender which means he has been labeled as having the highest risk of reoffending. He may not knowingly communicate in any manner with a person under 18 years of age with the intent to commit a crime and he may not knowingly enter or remain in or upon premises where persons under 18 years of age regularly congregate such as schools, childcare centers or playgrounds. In the past, Strauss has requested assistance from women unknown to him and stalked them. He targeted females in public places where he detained and tried to sexually assault them. Targeted victims were adult and juvenile females. Strauss has contacted women through various means and stalked them at their place of work, school, by phone, mail and e-mail. He also attempted to contact women through social media, phonebook records and advertisements. Report any misconduct or violations to your local law enforcement agency. ...Read more

Jackson County Payroll Employment Fell in February and Over the Past Year

Total payroll employment in Jackson County fell by 200 jobs in February. According to the Oregon Employment Department, there were 99,252 people working in Jackson County in February for a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 5.9%, which was down from 6.1% in January. The largest decreases were estimated in retail trade, private education & health services, and financial activities. Industries posting job gains over the month included professional & business services and manufacturing. Government employment rose by 50 jobs in February, with a gain of 70 in local government education slightly offset by a loss of 10 in federal government. Over the past year, payroll employment in Jackson County slipped by 110 jobs or .01%. Since February 2024, Jackson County industries adding jobs were private education & health services (+520), retail trade (+300) and other services (+140). Industries with over-the-year losses included leisure & hospitality (-350), financial activities (-140), professional & business services (-130) and construction (-50). ...Read more

Medford District BLM Extends Closure of Road to East Applegate Ridge Trail
The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management has closed BLM Road 38-2-29.1 through April 30th for public safety. The road provides access to the East Applegate Ridge Trailhead from Sterling Creek Road. A private landowner is exercising a right-of-way to haul timber across the BLM Road. The timber is being removed from private lands in the area. These actions create significant safety risks to the public. BLM officials said the operator has blocked off the road, so do not hike past the closure. Members of the public have hiked through the timber operation, slowing down the project and requiring an extended closure. BLM Ashland Field Manager Lauren Brown said this closure is necessary to ensure the safety of the public and the heavy equipment operators. She said obeying the closure will allow the operator continue working without interruptions. The western access to the East Applegate Ridge Trail on Highway 238 will remain open. ...Read more