MPD Detectives Arrested Suspect in Shooting Case
Medford Police Department (MPD) detectives made an arrest in connection with a shooting that occurred on December 5, near the intersection of Marie Street and Stevens Street. On December 11 at approximately 4:35 p.m., MPD detectives, with assistance from the MPD SWAT Team and MADGE, apprehended 19-year-old Audrik Darling of Medford in the Medford Center parking lot. Darling was identified as a person of interest in the December 5 shooting and was also wanted in connection with a separate kidnapping, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon incident that occurred October 11. Darling was interviewed at the Medford Police Department and lodged on charges related to the October incident. On December 12, MPD detectives additionally filed charges related to the December 5 shooting. The firearm believed to have been used in the incident has been recovered. The shooting occurred at approximately 5:46 p.m., when MPD officers responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Marie Street and Stevens Street.
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Courier Investigation Shows Public Meeting Law Violation by City
Following an investigation by the Daily Courier and a series of public records requests, the city of Grants Pass admitted it violated public meeting law with behind-the-scenes emails about hiring a facilitator to finish the city manager's performance evaluation. The facilitator would then issue a "report suitable for public release." According to the Courier, such a report would thwart the ability of the press and public to view individual performance evaluations of City Manager Aaron Cubic written by the eight members of City Council. The Courier's request for the performance evaluations is pending. The evaluations will be released after a vote to finalize and adopt them is made at the City Council meeting Wednesday, according to the city recorder. This week, in response to an Oregon Public Meets Law violation grievance filed by the Courier with the city, City Attorney Stephanie Nuttall sent a response to the Courier.
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BCC Meeting Continues despite Commissioner Smith Absence
Commissioner Ron Smith wasn't present for this morning's General Discussion. In a statement, Commissioner Chris Barnett read that the meeting was properly noticed, but a quorum wasn't present as required by the Josephine County Charter. No official meeting could occur, nor any deliberation. No decisions or votes could be made. The statement continued that only information would be provided for transparency and public awareness. Any items requiring board action will be addressed at a future meeting when a quorum is present. Commissioner Barnett, with Assistant County Legal Counsel Leah Harper present via Zoom for further clarification in regard to the full board, endeavored to bring clarity to any potential confusion regarding the recusal process, governor involvement, and a potential temporary board of elected officials appointing a new commissioner, pending no quorum due to vacancies on the board. Applications for the one vacancy are available at www.josephinecounty.gov.
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