A 21-YEAR OLD MAN, PHOENIX WOOD, IS IN JAIL ACCUSED OF SHOOTING A 16-YEAR OLD IN THE NECK EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. IT HAPPENED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF CRATER LAKE AVENUE AND STEVENS STREET IN MEDFORD. THE VICTIM TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES AND IS EXPECTED TO RECOVER, THE SUSPECT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY INSIDE THE PROVIDENCE PARKING GARAGE. MEDFORD POLICE SAYING WOOD AND THE VICTIM DIDN’T KNOW EACH OTHER BUT GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT LEADING TO THE SHOOTING. WOOD’S IN THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL CHARGED WITH 2ND DEGREE ASSAULT.
AN AX-WIELDING TRESPASSER IN ASHLAND BARRICADED HIMSELF IN A VACANT HOME SATURDAY, KEPT POLICE AT BAY FOR A WHILE, AND ENDED UP SETTING THE HOUSE ON FIRE, BADLY DAMAGING IT. 41-YEAR OLD FEDISH LLEWELLYN FORD REPORTEDLY TELLING ASHLAND POLICE HE HAD FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES AND HE WOULDN’T LEAVE THE HOUSE UNLESS THE COPS USED LETHAL FORCE AND THAT HE’D USE THE EXPLOSIVES IF THEY TRIED TO GET HIM OUT. SWAT FINALLY WENT IN AROUND 5 O’CLOCK BUT FORD SET THE PLACE ABLAZE, ASHLAND FIRE FOUGHT IT BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF DAMAGE. FORD WAS BADLY BURNED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND IS NOW FACING MANY CRIMINAL CHARGES.
PRICE OF GAS AND DIESEL CONTINUES TO INCH UP IN OREGON IN TANDEM WITH RISING OIL PRICES. TRIPLE AAA REPORTS OREGON’S AVERAGE PRICE IS $4.89 PER GALLON. JACKSON COUNTY IS 10 CENTS HIGHER AT $4.99, JOSEPHINE COUNTY CENTS HIGHER THAN JACKSON COUNTY AT FIVE-OH NINE A GALLON.