Temporary Board Chooses 5 Applicants to Interview for Commissioner Vacancies

The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers will decide between 5 applicants for the vacant Commissioner seats. During their special meeting, the board chose five applicants out of 37 potentials. In a release from Human Resources, the applicants are Colene Martin, Lorna Jessee, Gary Richardson, Kirk Brust, and Simon Hare. Interviews for the five will be held Wednesday the 18th starting at 9 a.m., with each interview lasting one hour. The board will send potential questions to the Human Resources department by 9 a.m. this Friday. A meeting will then be held Tuesday the 17th at 9 a.m. to finalize the questions and determine the order of interviews. Before noon that same day, the five applicants will be emailed the questions. The public will be welcome to attend the interviews which will conclude at 3 p.m. on the 18th. Overflow seating will be available in a separate room with a television broadcasting the interviews. The public can also stream the interviews at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Human Resources will conduct background checks. The temporary board will then convene on the 19th at 9 a.m. for a final discussion on the interviewees. The board chair will follow up with the chosen applicants. ...Read more

White City Man Indicted on Sex Abuse Charges by Jackson County Grand Jury

A Jackson County Grand Jury indicted a 19-year-old White City man Tuesday on sex abuse charges. The suspect, Eli Mulugeta Young, of White City was lodged in the Jackson County Jail for second and third degree sexual abuse charges. On Friday, February 6th, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a report of 19-year-old man sexually abusing a girl under the age of 14. Deputies arrested the man in the 7000 block of Houston Loop in White City. JCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives believe Young may have other victims. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Detective Jill Wenzel at 541-770-8928. Detectives are currently investigating this case. Further information will come from the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. ...Read more

OSP Investigating Fatal GP Officer-Involved Shooting

The Grants Pass Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a female in the roadway at Grants Pass Parkway and M Street, firing handguns. On Saturday at approximately 12:30 p.m., officers arrived at the scene and gave verbal commands for the female to drop the gun, which were ignored. Officers fired their department-issued firearms and struck the female. She was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center, where she was identified as Alicia Shelton, 43, of Grants Pass. Shelton was pronounced deceased at the hospital. There were no other reported injuries. The Josephine County Major Crimes Team was activated, and the Oregon State Police were tasked with leading the investigation. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab responded and processed the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and the Parkway has been reopened. As per standard protocol, the involved officers will be placed on paid leave during the investigation. Future updates will be provided by the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office. ...Read more