ROSEBURG, Ore. - The pilot and sole occupant of a single-engine plane was killed Thursday morning while attempting to land on the turf runway of George Felt Airport in the 400 block of Felt St in Roseburg.

At about 11:30 am on October 3, 2024, 9-1-1 dispatchers received calls from witnesses working at the private airfield known as Felt's Field. The witnesses advised the pilot was attempting to land the small, yellow, fixed-wing plane when the crash occurred.

After running out of runway on the first attempt, the pilot circled around and attempted the landing again, according to witnesses. The plane bounced off the ground, was launched back into the air and hit the top of a tree with the propeller before taking a nosedive to the ground. 

Deputies responded with firefighters and emergency medical providers from Central Douglas Fire and Rescue and Umpqua Valley Ambulance. 

The pilot, Steven H. Kretsinger, 65, of Eugene, was pronounced deceased on scene.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were notified of the crash. Kretsinger's next of kin has been notified. 

ELKTON, Ore. - On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 1:38 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call from the Elkton High School reporting they were in a self-initiated lockdown. The principal reported the lockdown was the result of a student on campus with a firearm. At the time of the call, the student's whereabouts were unknown. 

Multiple deputies, along with Sutherlin Police Department and Oregon State Police responded to the scene. While responding, the school called back to indicate they believed the student was no longer on campus. Other area schools were placed in lockdown until the student could be located. 

Deputies eventually contacted the student in the area of Azalea Drive in Elkton. A backpack was recovered, and a Glock replica BB pistol was located inside. 

The student, a 17-year-old male, was taken into custody and lodged at the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges: 

• Disorderly Conduct I
• Menacing x2
• Probation Violation

The Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation working closely with school officials and agency partners. 

TILLER, Ore. - Effective at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office has cancelled all remaining evacuation notices for the Devil's Knob Fire. No evacuation notices exist for residents impacted by the Devil's Knob Fire or any other location in Douglas County. This is the last update from the Sheriff's Office regarding this incident. 

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CANYONVILLE, Ore. - Effective at 1:30 pm on Monday, September 16, 2024, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, working in partnership with Douglas Forest Protective Association, has cancelled all remaining Level 1 - BE READY evacuation notices for the Milepost 98 Fire due to suppression efforts. No evacuation notices exist for residents impacted by the Milepost 98 Fire. This is the last update from the Sheriff's Office regarding this incident. 

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is instituting several evacuation level changes to the Devil's Knob and Milepost 98 Fires. These changes will take effect at 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 12, 2024. An interactive map reflecting these evacuation levels can be found online at: www.dcso.com/evacuations 

• LEVEL 3 "GO!":
  • No Level 3 evacuation notices exist for either incident.
     
• LEVEL 2 "BE SET":
  • No Level 2 evacuation notices exist for either incident. The previous Level 2 evacuation notices have been downgraded.
     
• LEVEL 1 “BE READY”:
  • All residences on Joe Hall Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Tison Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Elk Diamond Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Ritchie Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)
     
• CANCELLED EVACUATION NOTICES
  • All residential addresses on Canyon Creek Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)
  • All residences on the East side of Tiller Trail Hwy between the 34000 block to 36760 block, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)

All residents who have been placed on any level of evacuation notice and those living in proximity of the fire should continue to monitor official sources for updated information. Any changes to these evacuation notices or danger levels will be communicated through official channels. 

UPDATE 09/11/2024 8:30 PM

GARDINER, Ore. - On Monday, September 9, 2024, detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office were made aware of an attempt to tamper with the female victim in this case. Detectives were advised that 36-year-old Eric Cumming and his wife, 38-year-old Tabitha Cumming, both of Gardiner, were conspiring to get the juvenile victim to change her story in order to get Eric released.

“Detectives launched an investigation into the allegations and determined that Eric, who is currently lodged in the Douglas County Jail was communicating with his wife via letters. In those letters they discussed having Tabitha persuade the victim into changing her story,” Lt. Kelley Bean said.

Bean says Tabitha went as far as to contact the Douglas County District Attorney's Office and advise them that the juvenile had recanted her story and wanted to set the record straight. 

DCSO Detectives spoke with Tabitha and the juvenile, determining that Tabitha and Eric had in fact taken steps toward tampering with the witness/victim.

Tabitha was taken into custody and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on a single charge of Tampering With a Witness, a class C Felony. Eric, who was already in custody on the original charges was also charged with the crime of Tampering With a Witness. 

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ORIGINAL RELEASE 08/19/2024 8:00 AM

GARDINER, Ore. - A Gardiner man has been arrested and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on sex crime charges.

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, at approximately 10:00 am, deputies were dispatched to a reported disturbance in the 70000-block of Highway 101 in Gardiner. After arriving, deputies determined there were no crimes committed during the disturbance.

As deputies were preparing to leave, they learned information that a juvenile had previously reported to an adult that they had been the victim of sexual assault by 36-year-old Eric Thomas Cumming of Gardiner. Cumming is known to the victim.

Deputies began investigating and developed probable cause for the arrest of Cumming. He was taken into custody and transported to the Douglas County Jail where he was lodged on the following charges:

• Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree x10
• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree x10

Cumming remains in custody at the Douglas County Jail.

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CURRENT EVACUATION NOTICES

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Evacuations remain in place for the Devil's Knob and Milepost 98 Fire, although the Sheriff's Office has instituted a number of downgrades this evening. The following is a summary of the current evacuation levels as of Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 8:00 pm. An interactive map reflecting these evacuation levels can be found online at: www.dcso.com/evacuations 

• LEVEL 3 "GO!":
  • No Level 3 evacuation notices exist. The previous Level 3 evacuation notices have been downgraded. 
     
• LEVEL 2 "BE SET":
  • All residences on Joe Hall Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Tison Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Elk Diamond Road, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
  • All residences on Ritchie Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)
     
• LEVEL 1 “BE READY”:
  • All residences on the East side of Tiller Trail Hwy between the 34000 block to 36760 block, Tiller (Devil's Knob Fire)
     
• CANCELLED EVACUATION NOTICES
  • All residential addresses on Canyon Creek Road, Canyonville (Milepost 98 Fire)

All residents who have been placed on any level of evacuation notice and those living in proximity of the fire should continue to monitor official sources for updated information. Any changes to these evacuation notices or danger levels will be communicated through official channels. 

CANYONVILLE, Ore., - This is a wildfire emergency alert from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. This is a DOWNGRADE of evacuation levels for all homes within the previously established evacuation zones for the Mile Post 98 fire in Canyonville.

DOWNGRADED to a Level 2 - BE SET for:

• The 100 to 7500 block of Ritchie Road to Canyon Creek Road.

DOWNGRADED from a Level 2 to a Level 1- BE READY notice for: 

• The 100 to 950 block of Canyon Creek Road.

Conditions may change so continue to monitor. Drive slowly through active response areas. For local information, visit www.dcso.com/evacuations

A Level 3 remains in place only for utility structures on upper Ash Creek Road. No residential homes on Ash Creek Rd are included in a level 3 at this time.

TILLER, Ore. - UPDATE AS OF 11:30 am 09/07/2024:

The east side of Tiller Trail Hwy 34000 to 36760 block has been DOWNGRADED from a Level 3 to a Level 1 – BE READY notice.

Following reassessment with Devil's Knob Fire teams this morning and the successful operations overnight these addresses are downgraded.

Remaining in a Level 3 at this time are Joe Hall, Tison Road, Diamond Elk Road.

Monitor conditions and drive slowly through active response areas.

View map at www.dcso.com/evacuations.

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PREVIOUSLY RELEASED INFORMATION:

This is a wildfire emergency alert from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. This is an UPGRADE from a Level 1 to a Level 3 – GO NOW! for the following areas: East side of Tiller Trail Hwy 34000 to 36760 block. Also, Tison Road, Diamond Elk Road, Joe Hall area.

Level 3 – GO NOW means leave without delay, it is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your family, and emergency responders.

Emergency services personnel may not be available to help you if you choose to stay.

• Do not stop to gather your belongings or protect your home. Follow your emergency plan.

• Leave as fast as safely possible. Drive carefully. Turn on your headlights. Follow traffic safety warnings and instructions from local authorities.
 

Use TripCheck.com (Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck - Oregon Traveler Information) or call 511 for road closure information.

After you evacuate:

• Do not return to the area until public safety officials announce the area is safe. • Continue to check for updates through local city and county websites, social media, TV, and radio.

• An interactive wildfire evacuation map can be located at: www.dcso.com/evacuations

• Once you are safe, check with friends and family.

WINCHESTER BAY, Ore. - On Thursday, September 5, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received information regarding a boating accident in Winchester Bay. The United States Coast Guard had already been activated and was responding to the incident. 

As deputies were responding, the United States Coast Guard advised they located a separate overturned boat with subjects in the water. USGS personnel was able to rescue two subjects from the water, but a third individual was still outstanding. 

Deputies learned 63-year-old James McKeane of Medford had been fishing with his son, 36-year-old Kenneth McKeane of Central Point and a neighbor, 35-year-old Anthony Knight of Medford. After a few hours of ocean fishing, James McKeane was returning to the dock due to weather conditions in his 2020 18'6" Kingfisher. While progressing into the bay, a large wave crashed into the left side of the boat causing the boat to roll over. All three occupants went into the water without lifejackets. The vessel eventually capsized. 

James McKeane and Knight were rescued by USCG personnel. Lifesaving efforts were initiated on Knight who was unconscious. Both James and Knight were transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital for medical treatment. Efforts to revive Knight were unsuccessful. 

Kenneth McKeane was later located by USCG helicopter on the North Jetty and was airlifted from there to North Bend Hospital. 

As previously mentioned, there was an initial boating accident to which USCG and emergency services were dispatched. The individuals from that incident were located and were determined to be uninjured. No further information is available on that incident at this time. 

Both accidents remain under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Marine Division working in coordination with the Oregon State Marine Board.