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Board of Commissioners Approves Limited Power of Attorney for Property in CJ

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved the use of limited power of attorney for land use and development of a county-owned property in Cave Junction during its weekly business session this morning. The Board voted 2-0 to approve the power of attorney for a real property at 232 West Stevenson Street in Cave Junction. Commissioner Herman Baertschiger was absent. Before approving the Consent Calendar item, both Commissioner John West and Commissioner Andreas Blech declared potential conflicts of interest because both buy and sell real estate in Josephine County. The West Stevenson Street property includes a 1,290 square foot home built in 1973 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms on .29 of an acre. During the public comment period, one citizen complained about bad behavior at Board of Commissioner meetings, a second citizen complained about dangerous neighborhoods in the Selma area, a third citizen praised the Board's decision to defund the 4-H Extension Service and a fourth citizen paid compliments to the staff that put on the Josephine County Fair. Josephine County residents were reminded that public comments on the Oregon Department of Forestry's draft fire hazard map are due on Sunday. Commissioner West announced that a Zoom meeting has been scheduled for August 26th from 1 to 3 p.m. for residents to ask questions to state officials about the map. He urged participants to turn in their questions prior to the meeting.

Posted on 8/14/24 11:51AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared Two Men Wanted for Numerous Crimes at North Valley Home

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended two men wanted on numerous local warrants at a North Valley area residence early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested the pair at a home in the 7500-block of Monument Drive at 8:40 a.m. and 9:10 a.m., respectively. Both men had been reported missing which helped them escape detection by law enforcement. Deputies said they received a tip that 36-year-old Lee Raymond Baldyga and 32-year-old Eli Fredrick White were at the home along with a woman and a child. The Oregon Department of Human Services tagged along to check on the welfare of the child. Baldyga was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for multiple counts of Theft and Methamphetamine Possession. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. White was wanted on 11 warrants issued by the Grants Pass Police Department, Medford Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Charges in the warrants included Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Burglary, Forgery, Theft, Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass. He was also lodged in jail. Deputies assisted DHS workers by detaining a woman at the residence. Due to the poor conditions at the home, the child was placed into protective custody.

Posted on 8/14/24 11:50AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Assaulting Co-Worker at Local Manufacturing Plant

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for assaulting a co-worker at a local manufacturing plant early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a reported incident at Rogue Valley Door on NE Beacon Drive on Tuesday around 6:40 a.m.. Police said a female employee called 9-1-1 to report an incident between two workers. The caller advised one of the workers head-butted the other, and she requested both law enforcement and medical response. An investigation determined that a 29-year-old male subject bumped into the other man while walking down a hall and the subject grabbed the man by his upper shoulder, pulled him forward and head-butted him. Some type of verbal dispute had escalated into a physical altercation. The workers were separated by others. Upon arrival, officers interviewed both parties and witnesses before placing the male subject into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault plus a Felony Parole Violation. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/14/24 11:48AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Intentionally Setting Fire Inside Building at Church

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for intentionally setting a fire inside a building at a local church yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint at Parkway Christian Center on NE Beacon Drive on Tuesday around 10:15 a.m.. Police said they received a call regarding a male transient who threw a piece of cardboard that was on fire into a bucket inside the building, which was being used to distribute food to the needy. They said he knew people were inside the building. After the 38-year-old man set the fire, he attempted to lock the door as he left and fled the area. He was located at WinCo Foods and placed into custody a short time later. The suspect did not explain why he set the fire. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Arson and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/14/24 11:47AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Nabbed Eagle Point Teenager for Causing Hazard on I-5 near Wolf Creek

The Oregon State Police arrested a young Eagle Point man for disrupting traffic on Interstate 5 in northern Josephine County late last night. OSP reports troopers responded to the incident in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 79 on Tuesday at 11:20 p.m.. Troopers said they were alerted to a freeway hazard at that location. There were multiple reports of a male subject being in the roadway and causing traffic to swerve around him, nearly causing several crashes. Upon contact with the 19-year-old man, he would not provide an explanation for his dangerous actions. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 8/14/24 11:45AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Causing Ruckus at NE Terry Lane Businesses

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for causing a ruckus at three businesses on the east side of the city yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers initially responded to a complaint at O'Reilly Auto Parts on NE Terry Lane on Tuesday shortly after 2 p.m.. Police said a 32-year-old female subject was yelling, screaming and throwing objects at the auto parts store while causing a disruption for the business. Her antics also caused problems at the nearby AAA Office and Arco AM/PM store. Officers arrived on scene and tried to contact the woman, but she ran away from them. She was eventually tracked down and placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/14/24 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

JMET Raided Illegal Cannabis Grow near CJ for 2nd Time in Less Than Month

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) raided an illegal cannabis growing operation near Cave Junction for the second time in less than a month. On Tuesday, JMET -- assisted by Josephine County Public Health and Building Safety -- served a search warrant in the 800-block of Greenview Drive. JMET had already served a warrant at this address less than four weeks ago for the same offenses. After the first warrant was served, detectives followed up their investigation and found the suspects involved continue to illegally cultivate marijuana, which led to the second warrant. During execution of the most recent warrant, 180 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. One firearm was also located and seized. The property also had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations that could result in the criminal forfeiture of the property. Detectives said the primary suspects were not on scene at the time of the raid, but they are known to law enforcement and charges of Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Appropriation of Ground Water have been forwarded to the District Attorney's Office. According to JMET, the investigation is ongoing.

Posted on 8/14/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Private Basketball Coach Jailed for Alleged Inappropriate Contact with Juvenile

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office jailed a local private basketball coach this week for alleged inappropriate contact with an underage child. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 29-year-old Geordan Victor Sanchez Edmond of Gold Hill on Monday. The suspect was charged with one count of Luring a Minor and he was lodged at the Jackson County Jail. Detectives said Edmond has given private basketball lessons to children in the local area for the last few years. They believe the suspect could have additional victims. If you have any information about Geordan Edmond, please call the Jackson County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at (541)-774-8333. Please reference Case #24-4186.

Posted on 8/14/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Seeking Witnesses to Weekend Road Rage Incident on I-5 in South Medford

The Oregon State Police is seeking witnesses to a weekend road rage incident that occurred in Medford. On Sunday at 9:40 p.m., state troopers responded to a road rage incident on Interstate 5 near Exit 27. Troopers said a light-silver early 2000s Toyota minivan and a red 2022 GMC pickup were traveling southbound on I-5. When the two vehicles neared the south Medford exit, the occupant of the Toyota shot at the GMC. According to OSP, the pickup was damaged -- but no one was injured. Any witnesses to this incident are encouraged to contact OSP's Southern Command Center at 1-(800)-442-2068. Please reference Case #SP24260922.

Posted on 8/14/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Assaulting Another Man at Newman Methodist Church

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for assaulting another man at a downtown church this week. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident by an employee of Asante Three Rivers Medical Center on Monday morning. Police said the hospital worker reported they were treating a man in the emergency room who had been kicked by another man at Newman United Methodist Church. The patient was identified as a 67-year-old man who stated he was assaulted by a 57-year-old male subject at the church earlier in the day. Officers searched the area of the church and located the suspect at the nearby A-1 Market & Deli. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 8/14/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

Traffic Stop at GP City Park Led to Apprehension of Man on Statewide Warrant

A traffic stop in a Grants Pass city park this week led to the apprehension of a fugitive wanted on a statewide felony warrant. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a motorcycle ridden by a 27-year-old male subject at Riverside Park on Monday afternoon. Police said they stopped the motorcyclist for speeding through the park and learned that he was riding with a suspended license and without insurance or a motorcycle endorsement. An investigation revealed that the man was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Crimes Against a Person. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. He was also cited for the traffic violations. The motorcycle was secured at the park per the arrestee's request. The keys and helmet were taken to the police station to be picked up by a friend.

Posted on 8/14/24 6:09AM by Sam Marsh

Board of Commissioners' Weekly Business Session Contains No Action Items

There's not much on the agenda for the Josephine County Board of Commissioners' weekly business session this morning. The Board will start the meeting with its monthly recognition of employees, but there are no action items, public hearings, presentations or proclamations. The Consent Calendar contains a limited power of attorney for land use and development for a county-owned real property at 232 West Stevenson Street in Cave Junction. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when participants are allowed to address for the Board for up to three minutes on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 8/14/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

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