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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Wednesday Emergency services 10 things to know for Tuesday Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Charlie's hat case linked to earlier east Medford break-ins Butte Falls man shot at brother over dispute involving guns, documents claim Thieves steal disabled veteran's $20,000 wheelchair Medford man charged with attempted murder in domestic assault Politics and Elections Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Education Medford School Board, Position 7: Lilia Caballero, Kevin Christiansen and Don Libby Medford School Board, Position 5: Kim Wallan vs. Michael Campbell Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Ashland, Scenic win Brain Bowl competitions Needs improvement Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales Oregon considers gun control bill targeting domestic abusers New bill may curb Oregon medical marijuana growing operations 'Louie Louie' singer Jack Ely dies at 71 in Oregon Municipal officials object to proposed Oregon public records measure Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Jewelldean Hammons Dennis Smith William Rayburn Erwin Edward Joseph Pentkowski Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Third time’s a charm Crater crushes Ashland in MWL tilt Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon coaches, players ready to ‘split up and play’ Donahue, Beavers down USC at home King's single lifts OSU over No. 10 USC Emmert, Silver not on same page with one-and-dones Addison gets back into rhythm with Ducks Pro Sports Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Dolphins’ Jordan caught again, suspended for year Cavs' Love not expected to return for playoffs Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 Real Estate News Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Earthquake in Nepal Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Letters to the Editor, April 29 Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Editorials Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Letters to the Editor, April 27 Letters to the Editor, April 26 Letters to the Editor, April 25 Columns Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings With a song in prisoners' hearts George Will: A Graham candidacy's fun factor Dana Milbank: The TPP is an abomination Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Page H. Onorato: Enjoying good food just for the fun of it Page H. Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Donna Knight: Alzheimer’s brings challenges Community blog: Variations on potato patties please brunch palates In Good Faith: Baltimore’s burst bubble Food Page H. Onorato: Enjoying good food just for the fun of it Page H. Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Community blog: Variations on potato patties please brunch palates Food for Thought: Grill up a storm as the weather gets warm Season Stepp: Make seared steak fajitas for Cinco De Mayo Home and Garden Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Health 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 5 picks for live entertainment this week A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Theater 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Music Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Quick Flicks: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Insurgent’ and more 2015 summer movie preview Movie review: ‘Lambert and Stamp’ doc tells who was behind The Who Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Dining Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Don't wait on public records reform ... Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales ... Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) ... Our View: Don't wait on public records reform ... Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales ... Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) ... Former Ashland developer arrested Devian Aguirre faces racketeering charges connected to Helman Springs project ASHLAND — A former real estate developer faces charges of racketeering for her alleged activities related to a small subdivision on the Helman Springs property on Otis Street in Ashland, police said. Comment By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Mar. 7, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 7, 2012 at 2:50 AM By Sam Wheeler Posted Mar. 7, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 7, 2012 at 2:50 AM » Social News ASHLAND — A former real estate developer faces charges of racketeering for her alleged activities related to a small subdivision on the Helman Springs property on Otis Street in Ashland, police said. Devian Aguirre, 56, of Ashland, was arrested in late February after a yearlong joint investigation by the Ashland Police Department and the Oregon Division of Finance and Corporate Securities, said APD Detective Sgt. Tighe O'Meara. Between September 2005 and March 2007, Aguirre, former owner of Sage Development LLC, obtained about $1.6 million from eight investors in Jackson County and Northern California for the purpose of building a 17-home development on the former site of the Helman Baths, said Jackson County Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Markiewicz. Aguirre initially struggled to get the project approved by the Ashland City Council. After a 17-month process, she eventually was given the go-ahead to build the homes in July 2007, but never started construction. Without notifying the investors, Aguirre used the 4.3-acre Otis Street property as collateral for a loan from a California lender, Lighthouse Capital Funding Inc., according to police and county records. Lighthouse foreclosed on the land in November 2010 after Aguirre defaulted on the loan, records show. After learning about the foreclosure, some of the original investors went to police, O'Meara said. Michael Verlander, of Walnut Creek, Calif., said his family trust invested about $1 million in the Helman Springs project in 2006, and hasn't seen any return. "She gave everybody confidence that they were going to have a reasonable return on their investments," said Verlander. "She lied to us for years about the money being there." Verlander filed a civil lawsuit against Aguirre for the $1 million in November 2010, after Sage Development filed bankruptcy in 2009. That lawsuit is ongoing. "It took me 30 years to make $1 million, and she blew it inside of three. Now, you tell me how that's fair," said Verlander. Investors Bonnie and John Rinaldi of Ashland also sued Aguirre, Sage Development and Helman Springs LLC, which Aguirre created to fund the development of the Helman Springs property, records show. The Rinaldis, who invested $350,000 in the project, won their lawsuit against Aguirre. The Jackson County Circuit Court ordered Aguirre to pay back that amount as she earns the money to do so. The Rinaldis declined to comment for this story. Aguirre, who was contacted Monday, also declined to comment. The Jackson County District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against Aguirre on Feb. 23, and a warrant for her arrest was issued the same day. Aguirre was arrested Feb. 27 by police at her home on the 2300 block of Ashland Street and lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Aguirre pleaded not guilty to both counts of racketeering in Jackson County Circuit Court on Feb. 28 and bailed out of jail that day after her bail was reduced to $50,000, records show. Racketeering is a class A felony. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for March 12. The Helman Springs property now belongs to Magnolia Investment LLC, owned by Gil Livni of Ashland, county property records show. It is being developed on a built-to-order arrangement. "The project was very viable," said Verlander. "She (Aguirre) just chose to take the money and use it on other projects." Sam Wheeler is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 541-499-1470 or email [email protected]. By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Mar. 7, 2012 at 12:01 AM Updated Mar 7, 2012 at 2:50 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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