Jackson County Emergency Management Invites Community To Get “Winter Ready” At Free Safety & Preparedness Fair (Photo) - 09/24/26

Sent for Jackson County Emergency Management, media contact info below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Jackson County Emergency Management Invites Community to Get “Winter Ready” at Free Safety & Preparedness Fair

Free, family-friendly event will feature emergency equipment, activities, giveaways, and practical ways to prepare for winter storms and other emergencies.

Central Point, Ore. — Jackson County Emergency Management (JCEM) invites community members of all ages to Winter Ready: A Safety & Preparedness Fair for Families & Kids on Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Mace Watchable Wildlife Center at the Jackson County Expo, 21 Peninger Road in Central Point.

The event is free and open to the public.

Following an active wildfire season across Southern Oregon, Winter Ready shifts the focus toward the hazards that come with the colder months. Emergency responders, nonprofits, and community partners will come together for a hands-on event designed to help families prepare for winter storms, flooding, power outages, evacuations, and other emergencies.

“As wildfire season winds down, our preparedness work doesn’t stop,” said Delaney Richmond, Jackson County Emergency Manager. “Winter brings a different set of hazards to Jackson County, and this event is about helping families understand those risks and take practical steps to prepare.”

Attendees can expect:

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• Touch-a-Truck emergency equipment displays
• Live preparedness demonstrations
• Opportunities to meet local first responders
• Practical information about flooding and winter storms
• Games and activities for kids and families
• Giveaways and preparedness resources

“Disasters can look very different from season to season,” said Jackson County Emergency Manager Delaney Richmond, “Knowing what you’ll do during an outage, having supplies ready, understanding local hazards, and knowing where to get reliable information can make a real difference when a storm hits.”

Event Details

Winter Ready: A Safety & Preparedness Fair for Families & Kids
Saturday, November 7, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Mace Watchable Wildlife Center
Jackson County Expo
21 Peninger Road
Central Point, OR 97502

Admission: FREE

Jackson County Emergency Management is producing the event with support from Rogue Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster (RV COAD) and participating community partners.

Media Contact

Delaney Richmond
Jackson County Emergency Management
Emergency Manager
jacksonem@jacksoncountyor.gov
541-774-6790

Coordinated Law Enforcement Operation In Southern Oregon - 09/23/26

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement partners conducted a coordinated law enforcement operation on a drug trafficking organization, September 23rd in Jackson County. This operation involved the simultaneous service of multiple search warrants.

The public may have noticed an increased law enforcement presence, including police tactical vehicles in several areas while these operations were underway. This included a helicopter in the area of West Main Street and Hanley Road that was part of a federal search warrant. The increased police presence included residences and businesses in Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point, Rogue River, and Jacksonville. There is no known ongoing threat to the general public. Please continue to avoid the properties while law enforcement personnel secure each scene and investigate.

This is an active and ongoing operation. Due to the nature of the investigation, specific details regarding the approximate locations, individuals involved, and circumstances leading to the warrants are not being released at this time. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation while law enforcement personnel complete these operations.

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Teen Arrested For Criminally Negligent Homicide After Rollover Car Crash Kills Passenger, Sparks East Evans Creek Fire (Photo) - 09/22/26

JCSO Case 26-3535

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested a 17-year-old driver Friday, September 18 following a vehicle crash that killed his passenger and sparked the 15,000-acre East Evans Creek Fire. The 18-year-old male passenger in the involved 2002 Ford Ranger died July 18 at a local hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.

The suspect, a 17-year-old male, is charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and second-degree criminal mischief. JCSO deputies lodged the suspect in the Jackson County Juvenile Detention facility. In accordance with Oregon law, we are not releasing the driver's name because he is a juvenile.

Friday, July 10 at 2:39 PM, ECSO dispatch received a call for a rollover motor vehicle crash in the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Road in rural Rogue River. An Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Type 6 engine with a two-person crew was on patrol in the area and was on scene within approximately 30 seconds. The crew rendered aid, while simultaneously engaging in suppression efforts on the fire. They immediately ordered additional air and ground resources from ODF dispatch, initiating a full response to the incident. Within minutes the fire had spread to dry vegetation in the area leading to evacuation of nearby residences and eventually growing to more than 15,000 acres.

Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team investigators responded to the scene shortly after the crash. The preliminary investigation determined the suspect’s truck left a nearby licensed cannabis production location at a high rate of speed before crashing into the power pole. Investigators also determined the driver did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash.  Analysis of physical and digital evidence was completed last week, which confirmed speed was the primary contributing factor in the crash.

The STAR Team is a specialized unit dedicated to investigating fatal and complex serious injury collisions. The team operates through a collaborative interagency agreement between JCSO, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

This case remains under investigation. The victim’s name will not be released at this time. Any further information will be released by the District Attorney’s Office.

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“Darknet” Child Sexual Abuse Material Leads Homeland Security Investigations To Serve Federal Search Warrant At Medford Residence (Photo) - 09/02/26

MEDFORD, Ore. – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) served a federal search warrant Wednesday morning in Medford. Investigators served the search warrant after Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was purchased from a “Darknet” CSAM website. On scene, investigators interviewed potential witnesses and involved parties. Investigators are working to identify the suspect and refer criminal charges to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Federal, State, and local law enforcement served the search warrant Wednesday, September 2 at a residence in the 3000 block of Marilee Street in Medford. The case originated from a CSAM “darknet” investigation where German investigators identified a potential Medford area suspect. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) for further evidence of child exploitation.

Several local law enforcement agencies assisted with the federal search warrant, including Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Oregon State Police, Medford Police Department (MPD), and the Oregon Department of Justice’s (ODOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, MPD, ODOJ ICAC, and HSI, as well as prosecutors from our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD.

Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

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Head-On DUII Crash Seriously Injures Two Ahead Of Labor Day Weekend (Photo) - 09/02/26

JCSO Case 26-4522

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. –  A high-speed head-on crash seriously injured two drivers Saturday night on West Griffin Creek Road in rural Medford. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested 34-year-old woman for DUII after a trauma blood draw showed a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .20%, two and a half times the legal limit.

Due to the severity of the crash, the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate. The preliminary investigation indicates on August 29 at 7:41 PM, the suspect was driving a 2025 Toyota RAV4 at a high rate of speed when she crossed into the oncoming lane for unknown reasons and struck a 2009 Toyota Highlander head-on. Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were trapped inside their vehicles. Medford Fire extricated both patients and Mercy Flights transported them to a local hospital.

To address DUII crashes and other risks of impaired driving, JCSO will join local, state, and regional law enforcement agencies for a Multi-Agency High-Visibility DUII Enforcement Patrol throughout Labor Day Weekend. Additional deputies and officers will be on the road specifically looking for impaired drivers and working to keep our roads safe. The enhanced patrol is supported in part by grant funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

If you drive impaired, you risk being stopped and arrested. DUII enforcement remains a priority for JCSO and our law enforcement partners as we work to prevent crashes and save lives on Jackson County roads.

Deputies and officers will be watching for signs of impaired driving, including erratic or reckless driving, speeding, and failing to maintain a lane.

Plan ahead for a safe Labor Day weekend:

Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare or taxi.

If you plan to drink, give your keys to someone sober.

If you’re hosting, make sure your guests have a safe and sober way home.

If you see a suspected impaired driver on the road, call 911.

The STAR Team is a specialized unit dedicated to investigating fatal and complex serious injury collisions. The team operates through a collaborative interagency agreement between JCSO, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

This enforcement effort is supported in part by grant funding from ODOT and NHTSA.