Paving Begins Sunday Night on Oregon 99 in Phoenix
Night paving begins next week on a half-mile stretch of Oregon 99, South Pacific Highway, between Phoenix and Medford. This is the last section to be paved for the Oregon 99: Glenwood Road to Coleman Creek project, which is on schedule for completion in early summer. This Sunday, April 26, crews will begin paving in the northbound lanes of OR 99 from Northridge Terrace to Glenwood Road. Crews expect to move to the southbound lanes midweek and complete paving by Friday. Traffic will be limited to a single lane in each direction in the work zone. The center lane will not be available for use while crews are working at night; intersections and driveways will remain accessible. Lane closures will remain in place during the day to allow the new pavement to set. Travelers can expect delays, especially near transit stops. Factor in extra time for your commute or consider alternate routes to help reduce congestion in the area. Expect traffic patterns to change through the week as work progresses. Use caution while traveling through the work zone. Slow down and watch for workers and equipment in the roadway. ...Read more

Joint Task Force Serves Ashland Search Warrant for Child Sexual Abuse Material

The Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, along with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) served a search warrant yesterday morning in South Ashland. Investigators served the warrant Wednesday at a residence on Neil Creek Road in Ashland after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material images were uploaded from the address. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. Law enforcement began their investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. Investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by ODOJ Forensics for further evidence of child exploitation. No further details will be released at this time. ...Read more

JCSO SVU Detectives Arrested Prospect Man on Five Child Sex Crime Charges

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives arrested a Prospect man Wednesday morning on five charges of child sex crimes. The suspect, Mickey Lee Ryan Jr., 35, of Prospect, is charged with first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy, and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. He was lodged in the Jackson County Jail. JCSO detectives arrested Ryan without incident just before 10 AM on Wednesday, April 15, at a trailer park in the 400 block of Mill Creek Drive in Prospect. Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare caseworkers from Jackson and Josephine counties assisted. This case is open and ongoing. There is no further information for release at this time. ...Read more