Interim Finance Director Position to be Filled Pending Contract
Former finance director Arthur O'Hare will fill an interim finance director position pending a contract. The discussion was held following an executive session during the Board of Commissioner's 1:30 p.m. workshop. The board commenced the meeting by approving a grant request submission for consideration by the Solid Waste Agency. A motion to approve a grant request of $155,000, with clarification on whether the amount is annual passed 3-0. A personnel action for the solid waste specialist lead was brought to the board for later signing. Human Resources requested approval regarding the current CDL Driver's retiring from PERS, then to bring him back to the county to work three days a week. The current budget covers the position, and a motion to approve was unanimous. The board moved to pay an Ogletree invoice in the amount of $31,446, and will consider resolutions in the matter of Tobacco Retail Enforcement and Budget Committee Terminations and Appointments when the documents become available. ...Read more

Rural Metro, GP Fire, AMR Extricate Two from Homes after Tree Fall Incident

Sunday's thunderstorm knocked over a tree, damaging two homes and trapping two people in east Grants Pass. Rural Metro Fire said in a Facebook post that the thunderstorm, which came through with heavy rain and wind, brought down a tree in the 3300 block of Rogue River Highway. Two homes were severely damaged, and two people were trapped inside. Rescue teams from Rural Metro, Grants Pass Fire and AMR responded to the scene and were able to extricate both from the rubble. The individuals were then transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A gas line was also damaged by the uprooted tree, but there was no fire. ...Read more

Medford Man Gets 30 Years for Sexually Abusing Minor

A Medford man was sentenced to federal prison Friday for sexually abusing a minor victim in his care and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The U.S. Attorney's Office, in a release, said David Michael Burnett, 37, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release. According to court documents, starting in June 2024, Burnett sent five videos of himself sexually abusing a minor victim in his care. Investigators seized Burnett’s devices and found over 300 videos and almost 8,000 images of CSAM. On August 1, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Burnett with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography. On February 3, 2026, Burnett pleaded guilty to both counts. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Medford Police Department. ...Read more