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GP Police Department Welcomes New Officer Caleb Ardaiz to the Local Agency

The Grants Pass Police Department is welcoming its newest officer to the agency. Police Officer Caleb Ardaiz recently took the oath of office and became GPPD's newest officer as Chief Warren Hensman pinned on his badge. Ardaiz will be heading to the Oregon Police Academy in April. Officer Ardaiz was born and raised in Medford, and he graduated from South Medford High School before joining the US Army as an infantryman. Following basic training, he joined a scout/sniper platoon. After returning from military deployment, Ardaiz joined the fire service and worked as a wildland firefighter until he was hired by the Klamath County Fire District as a firefighter/EMT. Officer Ardaiz chose to become a police officer because he said "it offers the unique opportunity to serve and protect while making a tangible difference in the community." He chose the local police department "because Grants Pass is a fantastic city with a close-knit welcoming community." Caleb added that "GPPD is committed to making a difference through professional police services."

Posted on 3/28/25 5:38AM by Sam Marsh

Board of Commissioners Faces Full Agenda for Weekly Business Session Today

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners faces a full agenda when it meets for its weekly business session this morning. The Board is scheduled to open the meeting with a proclamation naming April 5th-12th as "Rogue Valley Rough Stock Rodeo Days Week" followed by a public hearing for 4 requested annexations to the Josephine Community Library District. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider three orders for establishing county-owned property as forestland, combining the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley Airport Advisory committees into one panel, and rescheduling the weekly business sessions in April to Fridays at 10 a.m.. In other business, the Board will consider resolutions for a Josephine County Forest Management Policy and Forest Reserve Fund as well as plat maps for the Kickin' Cattle Company and Buckmaster subdivisions. Today's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 3/28/25 5:36AM by Sam Marsh

Jacksonville Man Jailed for Attempting to Lure and Sexually Corrupt Local Teen

A Jacksonville man was jailed this week after attempting to lure and sexually corrupt a local teen. The suspect and under-aged victim connected via the Snapchat "Quick Add" feature. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports the juvenile's parents learned of the communications on March 22nd, intervened and reported it to them. Detectives with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) took over the child's Snapchat account and learned a local man was sexually communicating with the teen. On Wednesday, the suspect arranged to meet with a SOCET detective posing as the teen. Undercover detectives from the Sheriff's Office, SOCET, Oregon State Police and Medford Police Department positioned themselves at the suspect's prearranged meet-up location in the 2900-block of Crater Lake Highway. The suspect -- 39-year-old Anthony Nicholas Wheeler of Jacksonville -- was arrested without incident. Wheeler is charged with 1st-Degree and 2nd-Degree Online Sexual Corruption of a Child as well as Luring a Minor. He was lodged at the Jackson County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Detectives said this case is a reminder of the importance for parents to be aware of what their children are doing online.

Posted on 3/28/25 5:21AM by Sam Marsh

Commissioners Seeking Applicants for One Seat on Josephine County Fair Board

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for one vacant seat on the Fair Board. The Josephine County Fair Board is made up of seven volunteers who serve three-year terms and meet monthly. The Fair Board is a governing body that is charged with oversight of the annual County Fair and year-round management of the Josephine County Fairgrounds. The County Fair is a time-honored tradition that brings the community together for education and entertainment -- 2025 will serve as the 111th annual event. Recreation Director Tamra Martin said the Fair Board is a hard-working, dedicated group that is a vital part of the Fairgrounds' success. You can apply online at "josephinecounty.gov" under the Committee and Advisory Board tab or use the link "Advisory Committee Application for Board Appointment." For more information, contact the Josephine County Fairgrounds Office at (541)-476-3215 or email the Recreation Director at "tmartin@josephinecounty.gov."

Posted on 3/28/25 5:19AM by Sam Marsh

SOREDI Reinstated Annual "Prosper Awards" at 2025 State of Rogue Valley Breakfast

Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI), recently reinstated its annual Prosper Awards following a five-year pause that started in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During its State of the Rogue Valley Breakfast last month, SOREDI recognized businesses and individuals in five separate categories: Ingenuity, Prosperity, Tenacity, Collaboration and Inspiration. The 2025 Ingenuity Award was presented to NIC Industries. The Prosperity Award was presented to Pacific Wall Systems. The Tenacity Award went to Club Northwest in Grants Pass. The award is given to businesses with a remarkable ability to overcome obstacles, leveraging them into opportunities to thrive. The Collaboration Award went to CraterWorks Makerspace and Talent Maker City. These companies are the epitome of the phrase "a rising tide lifts all boats. The Inspiration Award was presented to Sunny Spicer.

Posted on 3/28/25 5:17AM by Sam Marsh

Board of Commissioners Faces Full Agenda for Friday AM Business Session

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners faces a full agenda when it meets for its weekly business session tomorrow morning. The Board is scheduled to open the meeting with a proclamation naming April 5th-12th as "Rogue Valley Rough Stock Rodeo Days Week" followed by a public hearing for 4 requested annexations to the Josephine Community Library District. Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners will consider three orders for establishing county-owned property as forestland, combining the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley Airport Advisory committees into one panel, and rescheduling the weekly business sessions in April to Fridays at 10 a.m.. In other business, the Board will consider resolutions for a Josephine County Forest Management Policy and Forest Reserve Fund as well as plat maps for the Kickin' Cattle Company and Buckmaster subdivisions. Friday's public meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 3/27/25 10:51AM by Sam Marsh

GP Man Jailed for Stealing Thousands from Employer with Bottle Return Fraud

A Grants Pass man was jailed for felony theft after he stole thousands of dollars from his employer through fraudulent bottle returns over several months. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 20-year-old Nicholas Wilson at the Li'l Pantry Market & Deli on Rogue River Highway on Wednesday at about 3:30 p.m.. Police said Wilson used fraudulent bottle return transactions to deprive Li'l Pantry of approximately $12,000 over the course of four months. They said the suspect would record multiple $40 transactions while working and pocket the money when his shift was over. He used his employee number for each transaction. The store manager provided video surveillance of Wilson pocketing nearly $300 on Monday of this week. The money was located on him during a search and he was placed into custody. Wilson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft and Computer Crime. He was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from his now-former place of employment.

Posted on 3/27/25 10:19AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Frequent Felon for Parole Violation after Trespass Call at Bank

Grants Pass Police jailed a felon for violating terms of his post-prison supervision yesterday after investigating a trespassing complaint a local bank. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident involving 29-year-old Jake Robert Thompson at the First Interstate Bank on NW 6th Street on Wednesday around 3 p.m.. Police said the bank manager called 9-1-1 to report a male subject who appeared to be under the influence of drugs trespassing on the property. They said the man was talking to himself and he was at the bank for at least two hours. Bank workers were afraid to approach him to ask him to leave. Officers arrived on scene, contacted Thompson and then contacted his corrections officer. The subject was well known to them from frequent criminal encounters. Thompson was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation stemming from convictions for Criminal Mischief and Public Indecency. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show Thompson has been arrested for violating his parole at least 16 times in the past 12 months.

Posted on 3/27/25 10:18AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Netted Man for Violating Court Order after Alleged Domestic Incident

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating a court order early yesterday after an alleged domestic violence incident near the high school. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 400-block of NE Baker Drive on Wednesday around 12:40 a.m.. Police said 57-year-old Richard Allen Wood called 9-1-1 to report that his ex-girlfriend assaulted him before riding off on a black scooter. Responding officers found no crimes involved in the alleged domestic incident. However, police did find that Wood was the respondent in a valid no-contact order protecting his ex-girlfriend. Since he admitted she was there, he was placed into custody for violating the court order. Wood was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court and he was being held without bail. His sister was contacted to care for his dog, which was left inside the residence without any food or water.

Posted on 3/27/25 10:16AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Woman on State & Local Warrants after Redwood Encounter

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on a statewide felony warrant and a local warrant early yesterday during a contact in the Redwood area of the city. According to the Police Department, officers observed 45-year-old Melissa Marlene Francis Burger riding a bicycle near the corner of Redwood and Kellenbeck avenues on Wednesday shortly after 8 a.m.. Police said they knew Burger by sight and they were aware that she was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. She was also wanted on a Jackson County warrant for Fraud and Furnishing False Information to Police. Burger was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Her bicycle and other belongings were taken to a home on Schroeder Lane at her request.

Posted on 3/27/25 10:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on Local Felony Warrant after Short Downtown Chase

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant following a short foot pursuit in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers spotted 34-year-old Shane Alan Barton at the corner of NW 6th and A streets near City Hall on Wednesday shortly before 9 a.m.. Police said they observed Barton fail to obey the crosswalk signal and when they attempted to contact him, he fled on foot. They said he complied after a short sprint and was found to be wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation related to a 2023 conviction for an unspecified crime. Barton was placed into custody near the corner of 5th and A streets before officers notified his corrections officer. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/27/25 10:13AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Selma Couple while Helping DHS with Endangered Child Case

The Oregon State Police arrested a Selma couple while assisting the Oregon Department of Human Services yesterday. OSP reports troopers responded to assist DHS workers with the pickup of an endangered 7-year-old child at a home in the 900-block of Lakeshore Drive on Wednesday at 2:15 p.m.. During the incident, troopers contacted 46-year-old Mathew David Granger and determined that he had failed to comply with his reporting requirements as a convicted sex offender. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail. Troopers also contacted 45-year-old Holly Renee McCloud and discovered that she was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for Possession of Methamphetamine. She was cited in lieu of arrest and released.

Posted on 3/27/25 10:11AM by Sam Marsh

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