MEDFORD, Ore. — Kim Dyer, a 73-year-old man from Phoenix, has pleaded guilty to several felony charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. Dyer entered the guilty plea in Jackson County Circuit Court on Wednesday, acknowledging his involvement in crimes that occurred over a three-year period, from 2018 to 2021. Dyer was initially indicted on seven felony charges, including attempted sexual abuse, coercion, and attempted sodomy. According to court documents, between October 2018 and October 2021, Dyer unlawfully subjected a victim, under the age of 14, to sexual contact. In addition, he is accused of coercing the victim…
Author: Sarah Prescott
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A man is dead following an apparent suicide after a brief standoff with law enforcement officers on Wednesday afternoon in Central Point. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) confirmed the incident, which occurred in the 6000 block of Table Rock Road. Authorities say the suspect had been wanted on multiple charges, including 15 nationwide extraditable warrants for child sex abuse. The warrants stemmed from incidents in California, and law enforcement had been actively searching for the suspect prior to the standoff. The man was also facing charges related to domestic violence, including menacing, and unlawful use…
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – The City of Jacksonville is inviting residents to share their thoughts on an exciting new project that could significantly transform the heart of the historic town. A proposal to redesign North 3rd Street, creating either a Public Plaza or Festival Street, is currently under consideration by the city. This project, nearly a decade in the making, aims to breathe new life into the downtown area by creating a pedestrian-friendly space designed for community events and gatherings. The goal is to foster a vibrant and accessible public space that reflects Jacksonville’s unique history and culture. Planning Director Ian…
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – A man wanted on 15 warrants for serious sex abuse charges in California died by apparent suicide following a standoff with law enforcement officers on Wednesday, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). The incident began when officers from JCSO, alongside members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force, attempted to carry out a high-risk traffic stop. The suspect briefly fled the scene before law enforcement was able to engage in a standoff. After an extended confrontation, the suspect was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect’s identity has not been released by…
ROSEBURG, Ore. — The Happy Tails Dog Park in Roseburg has been forced to close temporarily due to severe damage caused by recent flooding. The flooding occurred when the South Umpqua River overflowed on Sunday, impacting the park located at 100 SE Templin Street. According to the Roseburg Parks and Recreation Department, the floodwaters caused extensive destruction to the park’s fencing, which was completely torn down. In addition to the fencing damage, water and debris left behind by the flood have made the park unsafe for use. Parks and recreation crews are currently working throughout the city to assess the…
MEDFORD, Ore. — A man is behind bars after a dramatic incident Thursday night in Medford, where he crashed and flipped his car in an attempt to flee from law enforcement officers. The driver, who was on transitional leave from prison at the time of the arrest, is now facing charges related to driving under the influence. According to the Medford Police Department (MPD), an officer initially spotted the suspect driving in the continuous left turn lane on Crater Lake Avenue. The driver, who stopped at a green light and failed to maintain his lane, caught the officer’s attention. After…
Medford, Ore. — Tensions flared in the Oregon House of Representatives Monday as District 3 Representative Dwayne Yunker voiced his opposition to Senate Bill 1098, the Freedom to Read Act, in a highly provocative manner. Yunker took the unusual step of reading aloud a sexually explicit passage from the book The Haters during a House session, in an effort to make a point about what he sees as the dangers of Senate Bill 1098. The bill, which passed the Senate education committee earlier that day, aims to prevent discrimination when selecting or retaining school library materials, textbooks, or instructional content.…
Medford, OR – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) announced Tuesday that nine individuals were arrested on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) over the weekend. The arrests occurred on Sunday and Monday, primarily in the Medford, Central Point, and Talent areas. Seven of the arrests were related to controlled substances, while the remaining two involved alcohol. During the course of the arrests, deputies discovered several concerning items. These included baggies containing suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine, a concealed firearm, and a felon carrying a knife and brass knuckles. However, the JCSO has not released additional details about…
Medford, Ore. – Jackson Park, one of Medford’s oldest and most beloved parks, is set to undergo a significant transformation with a $2.3 million revitalization project. Located in west Medford, Jackson Park has served the local community since the 1960s. However, with Jackson Pool no longer in operation and the community now served by Rogue X, the park is ready for an upgrade that aims to breathe new life into the space. The upcoming renovation plans include the replacement of the old pool with a large, modern splash pad, providing a new way for families to cool off during the…
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — A Central Point woman lost her life on Sunday afternoon after attempting to clear debris from a culvert during heavy rainstorms that led to widespread flooding in the area. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) confirmed the tragic incident, which occurred on March 16 in the 5000 block of Kane Creek Road, a rural area known for its proximity to flood-prone waterways. Deputies were called to the scene after reports of a missing woman. Investigators later determined that the woman had been trying to clear branches from a culvert under her driveway when the swift, rising…