BCC Approves WBS Items, Responded to Sanctuary Counties Comment

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved all action items during their Weekly Business Session, and responded to a comment regarding sanctuary counties. The board approved the resolution supporting the County and City of Cave Junction applications for Water and Sewer Infrastructure Extension funds, as well as a letter supporting Cave Junction application of said funds. This will expand infrastructure from Kerby to the Grants Pass Airport. A motion favoring a recommendation to award a contract for temporary runway closure lighting for the airport passed 3-0. The lights for the runway would cost $56,691, which has been pre-approved per the grant agreement. Matt Eide was then appointed as the County Budget Officer. During public comment, topics brought to the board included public education concerns, Sheriff's Office arrest practices, Douglas County commissioners stating they would no longer be a sanctuary county, and requesting Josephine County do the same. Commissioner Ron Smith said in response that a statement could be made regarding being a sanctuary county, but that it wouldn't change state laws. ...Read more

Firefighters Tackle 1.5 Acre East Evans Creek Grass Fire Monday

The Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon District quickly established a wet line around a grass fire in the 5,000 block of East Evans Creek Road Monday. Crews were alerted to the blaze, leading to multiple ground resources, a Type 3 helicopter, and Air Attack being dispatched for an aggressive initial attack. By 12:35 p.m., additional aircraft were ordered, including two Type 1 helicopters, to support suppression efforts from the air. Firefighters established the wet line by 12:55 p.m., and continued the initial attack, strengthening the wet line and securing the perimeter. According to the Watch Duty app, crews were able to catch the fire at 1.5 acres despite critical fire weather conditions. Multiple aircraft were released from the incident, and hose lay is now around the entire perimeter. ...Read more

Jacksonville Man Sentenced To Prison For Tax and Fraud Crimes

A Jacksonville man was sentenced today for tax evasion, employment tax crimes, bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. According to a release, Joel Matthew Caswell, 32, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison and 5 years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,198,799.83 in restitution to the IRS. According to documents and statements made in court, Caswell owned and operated three logging and construction businesses that employed approximately 40 employees. From 2018 through 2022, Caswell withheld employment taxes from his employees’ pay and willfully failed to pay over these taxes to the IRS. Caswell attempted to evade these and other taxes by directing customers to write checks to another company or to him personally, moving business funds and lying to IRS collection officers. Separately, between 2022 and 2024, Caswell executed multiple fraud schemes that involved submitting fabricated financial records to a bank, a private lender, and the Small Business Administration to secure loans. On June 9, 2026, Caswell pleaded guilty to three counts of tax evasion, three counts of willful failure to pay over employment taxes, one count of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. ...Read more