Gold Hill Man Arrested, Lodged in Lane County for Luring a Minor, Online Exploitation
A Gold Hill man was arrested by multiple law enforcement agencies for Luring a Minor and Online Sexual Exploitation. Beginning in September 2025, Kaleb John Francis Altman, 25, contacted and began interacting with a juvenile female who was actually a Eugene Police Department (EPD) detective investigating internet crimes against children. On February 25th, a Violent Crimes detective drove to Medford and met with Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives to collaborate on the case. A team of Eugene Police, Jackson County Sheriff's deputies, the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Medford Police detectives arrested Altman without incident as he arrived to his workplace in Medford. He was transported by the EPD detective to Eugene and lodged at the Lane County Jail for Luring a Minor and Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the Second Degree.
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Shelter Levy Passes 2-0 at Weekly Business Session, Heads to Ballot
The Animal Control and Animal Shelter Local Option Tax is headed to the May 19th ballot. The Josephine County Board of Commissioner's 10 a.m. Weekly Business Session began with a presentation regarding the role of Animal Control and the Shelter in the community, their need for support, and their levy proposal for the next election. Citizens present were both for and against the levy. The board voted 2-0, with Commissioner Gary Richardson not casting a vote, to move the measure for the Local Option Tax in support of the two departments to the May 19th ballot. Richardson proposed a one cent decrease on the levy with senior fees reduced, but after the vote, wanted the public to know he was in support of the levy passing. During the public comment period, topics included support of the board, an idea to pair shelter animals with inmates, questions about recently hired positions, the homeless population, county monies, the SRS Fund, and the airport. The board approved the consent calendar, then adjourned the meeting at 11:01 a.m.
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BCC to Vote on Shelter Tax at WBS, Approved Plat Map, Appointed Chair, Vice Chair
The new Josephine County Board of Commissioners held their first official workshop in the BCC Conference Room. The board commenced by appointing Commissioner Ron Smith as Chair of the Board, and Colene Martin as the Vice Chair. Next on the agenda was a presentation of Animal Control and the Animal Shelter regarding a measure potentially moving to the May 19th ballot. Services have been reduced due to lack of funding, and the Levy Proposal would provide 16 cents per $1000 assessed property value; about $3.20 a month. The board will vote on if the measure goes to the May Election at their Weekly Business Session. The board approved the upcoming Finance and Budget Calendar, then moved to support Community Justice's travel request for training and NatCon 2026 in Colorado. A previous amendment to a Treatment Court Foundation Agreement was corrected and approved, and the board moved in favor of two intergovernmental agreements for the Oregon Health Authority Agreement and Tort Liability Coverage, both covered via pass through dollars.
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