Board of Commissioners Postponed Grant and BOLI Decisions during Workshop

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners made quick work of their agenda during the County Administration Workshop this morning. With Commissioner Chris Barnett being excused, Commissioner Andreas Blech asked to have the BOLI decision moved to next week. The District Attorney presented the Victims of Crime Act Grant and CFA Grant renewal requests to help support crime victim self-sufficiency. The board moved the decision to this week's Business Session. The commissioners approved an invoice from both the Clerk and Facilities Departments, as well as the Recreation Departments out-of-state travel request. The Public Works and Forestry Department's vehicle purchase requests were approved, and the board moved 2-0 to sign the United States Forest Service agreement to extend the contract negotiation window. Motions to approve the Information Technology Department invoices for a Geographic Information System Service Software Renewal and Managed Data Detection and Response Software Renewal passed. ...Read more

OSP Troopers Respond to Fatal Single Vehicle Crash over Weekend

Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 140, near milepost 9, in Jackson County early Saturday morning. On November 1, at 3:50 a.m., the preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Ford F350, operated by a juvenile male, 17, of Eagle Point, failed to negotiate a curve, crashed through a guardrail, and rolled into an adjacent creek. The operator of the vehicle, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was declared deceased at the scene. A passenger of the Ford, Mitchel Frank Thorpe, 18, of Eagle Point, was not wearing a seatbelt and was also declared deceased at the scene. Two additional passengers, a male juvenile, 17, of Eagle Point and a female juvenile, 17, of Medford, were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. Impairment and speed are considered the primary factors of the crash. ...Read more

JCSO Deputies Investigating Rural Gold Hill Homicide

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide next to Interstate 5 in the area of Old Stage Road and Galls Creek Road in rural Gold Hill. The suspect has been taken into custody, and there is no danger to the public. The victim is Steven Jason Worthington, 47, of Shady Cove. Next-of-kin have been notified. Dispatch received multiple calls for an injured person attempting to flag down cars on Southbound I-5 near mile post 42 on Thursday, at 8:01 a.m. JCSO deputies and Fire District 1 Rogue River paramedics arrived on scene and attempted life saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased at 8:36 AM. Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police Department, and the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit responded to assist. Multiple law enforcement units searched the area attempting to locate the suspect and an unknown involved vehicle. ...Read more