Local News

With spring break here and the summer travel season approaching, the Oregon Health Authority encourages people to make sure they are protected against the measles. OHA officials said getting the MMR vaccine -- for measles, mumps and rubella -- is the most effective tool against the highly contagious virus. Twelve US states -- including California, Texas and New Mexico -- have reported cases of measles since January 1st. While Oregon has no cases so far in 2025, the state reported 31 confirmed cases last year -- the highest measles count in more than 30 years -- during an outbreak among unvaccinated people. Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA's Public Health Division, said "measles is an amazingly contagious virus that unfortunately has re-emerged in our communities, primarily due to a declining percentage of people who are getting vaccinated." Dr. Dawn Nolt, professor of pediatric infectious diseases at OHSU School of Medicine, said the good news is that there is a highly safe and effective vaccine. She said it is the strongest line of defense to keep you, your children and your community safe. Dr. Cieslak said anyone planning travel to countries or states where measles is circulating should get the MMR vaccine before they go. He said it will allow you to start building immunity prior to your trip.

 

In a significant step toward protecting consumers from deceptive ticketing practices, House Bill 3167-3 recently had its public hearing in the Oregon House Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee, bringing forward legislation designed to enhance transparency in the event ticket market. The bill -- championed by Ashland State Representative Pam Marsh -- aims to address longstanding issues related to hidden fees, speculative ticketing and misleading resale practices that have plagued Oregon's arts, entertainment and "live" event industries. Under House Bill 3167-3, ticket sellers will be required to disclose all fees upfront, preventing the frustration of last-minute price increases. The bill also prohibits speculative ticketing where resellers list tickets they do not actually own, and it ensures clearer labeling so buyers understand when they are purchasing from a secondary marketplace. For venues like Britt Music & Arts Festival that host thousands of fans each year, the passage of HB 3167-3 is a major step in ensuring fair ticketing practices. Britt President and CEO Abby McKee said deceptive resale tactics not only confuse consumers but also damage the relationship between venues, artists and audiences.

 

The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce has announced that tickets are now available for the 2025 Wine Stroll in May. This delightful event takes place in downtown Grants Pass on Saturday, May 10th, from 2 to 6 p.m.. The Rogue Valley's premier walking wine tour is set for Mother's Day Weekend. Bringing wineries, eateries and vendors all together in downtown businesses, it creates a unique experience allowing participants to leisurely stroll from business to business, sampling great wines and delicious food while taking in local wares. This is a 21+ event. Tickets are $45 presale and $50 the day-of. Tickets can be purchased online at "grantspasschamber.org" or at the Chamber of Commerce located at 1995 NW Vine Street in Grants Pass. Beware of scammers. The Chamber does not sell tickets through third-party sites, only through their verified server "Chambermaster.com."

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for felony drug possession after a weekend welfare check in the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers arrested 34-year-old Jacob Neil Woodward in the 100-block of SE K Street on Saturday at 12:41 p.m.. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a male subject passed out in a black Jeep Liberty parked next to River City Grill. The caller told dispatchers the man had been there for more than 40 minutes and he did not look well. Officers located the Jeep parked diagonally across two parking stalls and observed Woodward sleeping with drug paraphernalia in plain sight. They contacted the man and found him to be in possession of about 20 grams of methamphetamine. The meth was seized for evidence and eventual destruction. Woodward was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Possession of Meth. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for becoming violent with her mother at a Williams Highway residence over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 2100-block of Highway 238 on Saturday around 7:35 p.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report her adult daughter has mental issues and when she came home, the daughter was throwing items at her and hitting her. One of the items that struck the woman was a Bible which caused pain but no injuries. The mother wished to press charges against her 57-year-old daughter who was holding the Bible when officers arrived on scene. She denied attacking her mother. Probable cause was established and officers placed the daughter into custody. She was booked into the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment Constituting Domestic Violence and was being held without bail.

 

A motorist escaped serious injury when their vehicle struck a tree in the Illinois Valley over the weekend. On Saturday at 6:31 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on Holland Loop Road at Holland Corner near Cave Junction. IVFD officials said arriving units found a vehicle that had collided with a tree. They said the single occupant self-extricated and refused medical treatment. Officials said the driver made their own arrangements for removing the vehicle from the scene. It was unclear whether there would be any investigation into the cause of the crash.

 

The Oregon State Police was investigating the cause of a weekend crash involving the Oregon Department of Transportation on Interstate 5 near Smith Hill Summit. OSP reports troopers responded to the two-vehicle collision in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 74 on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.. Troopers said they were conducting a crash investigation with ODOT's assistance when an ODOT truck struck a sedan parked on the freeway shoulder to avoid a collision with a vehicle passing the crash scene. According to OSP, the ODOT employee was a 39-year-old Grants Pass man driving a Ford F-350 and the other driver was a 51-year-old Wolf Creek woman operating a Cadillac XTS. No one was hurt and no tow was required. Crash reports were provided to both parties.

 

The Oregon State Police has released information about a fatal accident that occurred last week on Redwood Highway near Selma. OSP reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian collision that occurred near milepost 16 of US Highway 199 last Wednesday at 5:23 a.m.. Troopers said a preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Ford F-150 pickup driven by 36-year-old Ethan Wayne Anderson of Cave Junction struck a pedestrian identified as 58-year-old Buck Carlos Gene Arby Ward of Crescent City, California, who was in the roadway for unknown reasons. According to OSP, Ward was pronounced deceased at the scene while Anderson was not injured. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. Thick fog is being considered a contributing factor in the fatal crash. OSP was assisted by the Illinois Valley Fire District.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man who became violent after getting upset with a teenage girl who was housesitting for his tenants while they were out of town. GPPD officers arrested 55-year-old Lance Arthur Nickerson for the incident at a home in the 1900-block of Cloverlawn Drive on Friday at 7:06 p.m.. Police said Nickerson called 9-1-1 because people to whom he rents a house on his property had allowed a 16-year-old girl to house-sit and watch their cats. They said he was argumentative with the juvenile female, stating that it was illegal for her to be watching the home and he demanded a law enforcement response. Prior to police arrival, an adult acquaintance of the girl arrived to pick her up and take her away from the incident. While the woman was walking the girl home, Nickerson reportedly ran up to her yelling, grabbed her by the shirt and pushed her. The victim wished to press charges against the suspect and he was detained. When officers moved in to arrest Nickerson, he attempted to pull his arms away and physically resisted being placed in handcuffs. During the struggle, the suspect was taken to the ground and he broke an officer's glasses valued at about $500. Nickerson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail pending his court arraignment this afternoon.