Ashland and Central Point Police Agencies Investigating Several Child Exploitation Cases
Authorities in Ashland and Central Point are investigating child exploitation cases. On July 19th, the Central Point Police Department received a report of a potential sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old child. Members of the agency's Criminal Investigations Division took over the investigation. The complaint led to the arrest of 68-year-old Craig Albert Johnson of Ashland. Johnson was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on July 30th for Invasion of Personal Privacy, Encouraging Child Sex Abuse and Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct. He remains in custody. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Johnson was employed at the Children's World Montessori School in Ashland and that additional instances of child exploitation had occurred at the school. This discovery brought the Ashland Police Department into the investigation. APD Chief Tighe O'Meara said several victims have been identified and detectives are actively working on identifying additional potential victims. So far, he said all children found to have been victimized by Johnson are female. The Children's World Montessori School is cooperating with the investigation. As the investigation proceeds, more criminal charges will be added as appropriate. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to reach out to Ashland Police Detective Lacie Six.
...Read more
Grants Pass Police & Firefighters Log Another Busy Week of Protecting the Community
Grants Pass police officers and firefighters put in another busy week of protecting citizens and structures in the community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 726 calls for service along with 366 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 64 arrests, 43 citations and 45 warnings. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 69 traffic stops in the city and they made 24 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 210 potential troublemakers while arresting four people, citing 10 more and warning 95 others. The CRT unit also trespassed four individuals and posted 73 transient camps. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 106 calls last week including 43 for emergency medical service, five reports of fire or smoke, 31 lift assists, 10 rescue situations and seven false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,204 emergency calls as well as 719 calls for non-emergency service.
...Read more
Applications Now Available for Post on GP Sustainability & Energy Action Committee
Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Sustainability and Energy Action Committee due to a vacancy. This term expires on November 15, 2026. The Sustainability and Energy Action Committee monitors and reports to the Grants Pass City Council the progress of the Sustainability Energy Action Plan implementation while supporting the City in achieving long-term greenhouse gas emission and energy reduction goals. This includes outreach to the community, evaluating feasibility studies and providing recommendations for project advancement. The special qualification for this position is a solar energy technology specialist. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20th.
...Read more
