Medford, OR – A Josephine County man has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his involvement in large-scale illegal marijuana manufacturing and filing false tax returns. Steven Shirley, 52, the president and minister of Earth Peoples Park (EPP), a nonprofit organization, was also ordered to pay restitution totaling over $300,000. In addition to his prison sentence, Shirley will serve five years of supervised release. He was ordered to repay $290,291 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for unpaid taxes and $12,896 to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for environmental damage caused by illegal marijuana grows on public…
Author: Sarah Prescott
Medford, OR – Oregon State Police (OSP) are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred at Collier State Park on Monday morning. At approximately 9:45 a.m., deputies from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a critical incident that resulted in the shooting of a 35-year-old male. The identity of the man, who was critically injured, has not been released by authorities. Following the shooting, he was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. While his condition remains unclear, officials confirmed that he is currently receiving care for his injuries. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the Klamath…
Medford, OR – A Cottage Grove man was arrested on Friday afternoon after allegedly assaulting two individuals, one of whom was reportedly bitten by his dog during the attack. Ronald Cameron Boss Jr., 44, faces multiple charges, including second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, following the violent confrontation on Row River Road. According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene in the 37200 block of Row River Road around 4:00 p.m. on Friday, where they found two victims who claimed they had been assaulted by Boss. One of the victims also suffered…
Medford, OR — The Medford Fire Department successfully contained a two-alarm structure fire in the 1000 block of Rossanley Drive late Thursday afternoon. Fire crews were initially dispatched to the scene, where they worked quickly to knock down the flames and prevent further damage to the surrounding area. According to a statement from the fire department, crews were able to get the fire under control and are now focusing on ensuring safety and securing the area. “We’ve made significant progress, and the fire is under control,” a department spokesperson confirmed. “Fire investigators are currently on site, working with the property…
Medford, OR — A 31-year-old man has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of local resident Tim Ayers, who was found dead in his Klamath Falls home this past summer. Steven Villanpando was indicted Thursday by a grand jury following a thorough investigation conducted by the Klamath Falls Police Department. Villanpando faces several charges in addition to first-degree murder, including first-degree burglary, first-degree theft, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The investigation began on the morning of August 8, when officers responded to a welfare check at 3201 Quarry Street after receiving…
Grants Pass, OR – The Grants Pass Police Department (GPPD) is investigating a shooting that took place Wednesday night around 9:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Rogue River Highway. According to GPPD, officers responded to the scene and found multiple bullet casings scattered across the parking lot of an apartment complex. However, the suspect had fled the area before authorities arrived. The shooting reportedly involved multiple rounds fired at occupied apartments, though fortunately, no one was injured. Police have not yet released details on any potential suspects but have indicated that the individuals involved are considered “armed and dangerous.”…
Medford, OR – Josephine County Commissioner John West appears set to be recalled after preliminary results from a special election showed more than 62% of voters in favor of the recall. The final results are expected to be certified by January 13th, which will confirm the outcome and trigger the next steps in the process. If the recall is certified, West will be removed from office, and his seat will remain vacant until a new commissioner is appointed. The appointment will be made by the two incoming commissioners, Chris Barnett and Ron Smith, who will take office next month. Barnett…
Medford, OR — A group of dirt bikers who became lost and stranded on a trail near Jacksonville were safely rescued Sunday evening, thanks to quick action by local authorities. According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), the riders had been traversing John’s Peak when they encountered trouble. Their dirt bike broke down, and they soon found themselves disoriented and unprepared for the cold, wet conditions. The riders, who were not dressed for the weather and had no food or water, contacted authorities as their cell phones were rapidly losing battery. In the report, the…
Medford, OR – A Medford School District (MSD) board member, Michael Williams, will not face criminal charges after an investigation into his carrying a knife on school grounds. However, the district has stated that his actions still violated school policies, which prohibit weapons on campus. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office (JCDA) confirmed Monday that it would not be filing charges against Williams, who had been the subject of a criminal complaint regarding his actions in October. According to the complaint, Williams had been seen wearing a sheathed knife on his belt during school board meetings and while at MSD…
Medford, OR — In the wake of a recent school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, the Medford School District is ramping up efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff. District officials have reached out to all local school principals, stressing the importance of communication, preparedness, and consistency in maintaining a secure learning environment. Ron Havniear, the Director of Security for Medford Schools, emphasized that an effective emergency response requires a coordinated effort from everyone involved. “No one person can command the effective response,” Havniear said. “It’s going to take the entire team being able to think in the moment…