Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing Fentanyl, Admitting It Caused Two Deaths
A Medford man pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl and admitted that it caused two people’s deaths. Richard Scott Samuels, 60, has pleaded guilty to an indictment charging possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced the U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. According to court documents, a death was reported on May 15th, 2025, and on August 6th, 2025. Both were determined to be deaths due to a fentanyl overdose. Law enforcement investigated these deaths and learned that Samuels was alleged to be the supplier of the fentanyl that both the deceased had used. Law enforcement arrested Samuels September 4th, 2025, and seized from his person and residence, a phone, over $5,300 cash, a handgun, and multiple drugs in approximate amounts; 283g fentanyl, 92g of heroin, 5g of meth, and 5g of cocaine. A federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment November 6th, 2025, charging Samuels with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. ...Read more

Local Ray's Food Place, Shop Smart Customer Donations Supporting Pink R Campaign

Throughout the month of October, participating Ray's Food Place and Shop Smart stores are inviting customers to round up their purchases to the next dollar to benefit the Pink R Breast Cancer Round Up campaign. According to a release, this year's fundraising goal is $15,000. When customers participate, their donations will support local organizations serving the communities where customers live and shop. This year's beneficiaries include the Women's Imaging Center at Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass, and the Providence Community Health Foundation Breast Center in Medford, among others throughout the state. Held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pink R brings customers and store teams together to support breast cancer services in Oregon and Northern California. ...Read more

BCC to Further Consider Legal Counsel Agenda Items at WBS

The Board of County Commissioners met for a Legal Counsel Update, and will further consider policy revisions and a resolution at the next Weekly Business Session. Administrative Policy revisions were discussed first regarding social media and public records. There was reported concern about inconsistencies and a lack of clarity on how social media should be handled, and it was felt the policy was out of date. Revisions would consider what is and isn't acceptable as far as social media's usage. For the Public Records policy, the goal is to clearly define when an elected official is making decisions on their own, and how that becomes severable from the records management officer's authority. Also to be clarified is the records process. Both are slated to be discussed further during the October 7th Weekly Business Session. The Josephine County Strategic Communications Plan was approved without objection. Legal Counsel will proceed with a draft of a Departmental Procedure from amendment to personnel policy for Direct Reports to the board. ...Read more