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0 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 Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races Since You Asked: Richardson voted legally in Portland Oregon voters legalize marijuana Voters reject top-two primaries, driver's cards, college fund Kitzhaber wins fourth term Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Alleged stabber charged with attempted murder Emergency services Arsonist gets three years probation for fire at Jackson County Jail Emergency Services DUII driver gets 4 1/2 years in wreck that hurt two Politics and Elections Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races Oregon voters legalize marijuana Voters reject top-two primaries, driver's cards, college fund Kitzhaber wins fourth term GMO measure outcome remains a a 'nail-biter' Education Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Fire marshal visit prompts cancellation of Sacred Heart haunted house Kids Unlimited Academy awarded $450,000 grant Environment Well owners can help map groundwater quality Local gas prices lowest in years Where do all those leaves go? Ashland council calls for divestment from fossil fuel Reintroduction of McCloud River salmon inspires film, tribe State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Paul Alan Bernarde James Thurman Nunley Kari Lynn Vandergriff William A Geyer Jr. Janice VanDeWall Casaus Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Lillard is lights out North Medford holds off Jesuit in soccer playoffs Weber, Thompson boost SOU in OT Harden's big game keeps Rockets perfect Crean under fire after incidents at Indiana Varsity 541 College Sports Weber, Thompson boost SOU in OT Crean under fire after incidents at Indiana Stewart, Loyd headline AP preseason women's team Beavers aim to make most of down year Ducks move into top four in playoff ranking Pro Sports Lillard is lights out Harden's big game keeps Rockets perfect NASCAR penalizes Hendrick crew for fight Still's daughter to attend Bengals game Donald goes back to his old swing coach Community Sports Results / Standings LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories Goodwill to host job fair Businesses with 20 or fewer employees see minimal job gains, slight revenue gains Valley Lift driver honored State insurance fund issues dividends to employers Downtown merchants to discuss EID Real Estate News New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase People In Business People in Business Transportation Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Opinion Latest Our View: Well testing program is a good deal Kathleen Parker: Lena Dunham's bare, naked truth Letters to the Editor, Nov. 4 Dana Milbank: Can Rand Paul save the GOP? Granlund cartoon: Voter choices Editorials Our View: Well testing program is a good deal Our View: Commissioners invest in the future Our View: Dark money leaves candidates in dark Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Any new gas tax must be equitable Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 4 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 3 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 2 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 2 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 1 Guest Opinions Measure 89 provides equality for women Eagle Point needs public transportation Guest Opinion: Common Core testing sets math students up for failure Guest Opinion: Campaigning and voting 'the Oregon way' Guest Opinion: A glimpse into the reality of our elections Lifestyle Latest stories Healthy for the Holidays Sorting out the style debate among wine 'experts' Lost in Suburbia: ’Twas the week after Halloween Dave Ramsey: Teach her first, then comes responsibility Dear Monty: When a condominium is not a condominium Food Healthy for the Holidays Sorting out the style debate among wine 'experts' Spices of Autumn Community blog: Seven spooky snacks are savory Halloween fare Can’t get enough pumpkin-pie spice? Home and Garden 17 things you never knew about turkeys Dear Monty: 10 tips toward a quality offer on a home How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Recycle plastic at The Expo Friday and Saturday Health Jackson County resident monitored for Ebola symptoms HealthStyle: Troubled youth - early identification Woman hospitalized in Milwaukie for Ebola testing Health Watch: Making smart fitness goals Dr. Murray Feingold: Can shingles be prevented? Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Mormon church acknowledges founder’s teen bride Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Nominations begin for Heritage Excellence Awards Anniversary: Marin New Arrivals Dog show highlighted by $10,000 donation toward sheriff's K-9 Since You Asked: Gull species found inland Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Michael Franti and Spearhead play the Historic Ashland Armory Clarinets to the forefront Rain damage closes Darkwing Manor 'Glee' star to perform Medford concert Singer and songwriter Gene Burnett follows his bliss Theater Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music Michael Franti and Spearhead play the Historic Ashland Armory Clarinets to the forefront Book review: 'The Next Elvis,' by Barbara Barnes Sims 'Glee' star to perform Medford concert The Farr Side: On ‘1989,’ Taylor Swift lightens up Community Events Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Puss 'N' Boots Costume Ball and Auction Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Dining Blue Toba is a cultural experience Back Porch Bar & Grill Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races ... Since You Asked: Richardson voted legally in Portland ... Our View: Well testing program is a good deal ... Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races ... Since You Asked: Richardson voted legally in Portland ... Our View: Well testing program is a good deal ... Arsonist gets three years probation for fire at Jackson County Jail By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 4, 2014 @ 5:31 pm By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 4, 2014 @ 5:31 pm » Social News A woman suspected of setting a string of fires across Medford this summer was sentenced to three years probation and mental health court Tuesday under a plea agreement with the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Debra Johns, 57, entered a plea of no contest to a single count of first-degree arson in connection with a July 24 fire in a bathroom at the Jackson County Jail. Additional charges of second-degree arson, two counts of second-degree criminal mischief and reckless burning were dismissed as part of the deal.  A second case, charging her with reckless endangering another person and second-degree disorderly conduct,  also was dismissed. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Lisa Greif ordered Johns to pay restitution on all counts originally charged, despite the dismissal. She'll also have to comply with the recommendations of Jackson County Mental Health's ACT team as part of her plea agreement. Defense attorney Sara Collins said Johns was pleading no contest rather than guilty because she may not have taken medication for mental illness on the day in question. Johns, clad in a green jail uniform, appeared not to understand some of Greif's questions regarding the nature of her plea, having to be prompted by Collins when asked if she understood that there was enough evidence to likely convict her at trial. "Video and fingerprints are what linked Ms. Johns to the fire," said Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Geil. The jail fire, which eventually burned itself out, was one of several that occurred over a 12-hour period  spanning July 23-24.  Medford police arrested Johns at Hawthorne Park several hours after the jail incident, after dispatchers took a report of two fires at the park. Johns was also charged with another fire that occurred July 23 at Beavertooth Oak on South Fir Street. Police said witnesses had seen a woman matching Johns' description running from the scene. In addition to those four fires, police identified Johns as a suspect  in 19 other fires, including one that destroyed a historic warehouse on North Fir Street June 25,  but she was never charged.  Johns, who is homeless, is required to live with her sister in Central Point under the terms of her sentence. If she violates her probation, she'll have to spend six months in jail and three months on post-prison supervision. Johns was released from the jail into the care of ACT staff members about 3:30 p.m. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 4, 2014 @ 5:31 pm » 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 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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