A SUSPECT WANTED FOR 18 COUNTS OF CHILD SEX CRIMES IS ARRESTED AFTER AN HOURS-LONG STANDOFF WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SOUTH MEDFORD. THE SOUTHERN OREGON CHILD EXPLOITATION TEAM (SOCET) AND JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE (JCSO) ARRESTED 38 YEAR OLD GLENN EDWARD RISE OF MEDFORD. THIS ALL STARTED AFTER RISE ALLEGEDLY SENT CHILD SEX ABUSE PICTURES TO UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATORS WHICH LED TO SUBPOENAS, FOLLOWED BY A SEARCH WARRANT AT THE RESIDENCE ON SOUTH PACIFIC HIGHWAY.
A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF UCAN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE TOP SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN GRANTS PASS, WAS CONVICTED TUESDAY OF STEALING MORE THAN 200,000 DOLLARS FROM THE NON-PROFIT. ACCORDING TO THE DAILY COURIER 41-YEAR OLD HOLLY PIERCE, ALSO KNOWN AS HOLLY FIFIELD ENTERED NO-CONTEST PLEAS TO THE CHARGES. SHE FACES TWO YEARS IN PRISON, SENTENCING IS SET FOR MAY 15TH.
SECRETARY OF STATE TOBIAS READ RELEASED RESULTS THIS WEEK OF AN AUDIT OF THE OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY. THE RESULTS WEREN’T GOOD. OHA BROKE FEDERAL RULES PAYING UP TO 15 MILLION DOLLARS TO PEOPLE WHO DIDN’T QUALIFY FOR THE BENEFITS. THE PROGRAM HELPED SUBSIDIZE HEALTH INSURANCE BUT OHA GAVE THESE BENEFITS TO PEOPLE WHO MADE TOO MUCH MONEY TO QUALIFY.
MEDFORD FIRE CONFIRMS THE BLAZE THAT STARTED IN THE MEDFORD APARTMENT COMPLEX ON 406 WEST MAIN STREET WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DRIER IN THE LAUNDRY. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT OFFICIALS SUGGEST CLEANING OUT THE LINT TRAPS AND EXHAUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE.