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Board of Commissioners Postponed Grant and BOLI Decisions during Workshop

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners made quick work of their agenda during the County Administration Workshop this morning. With Commissioner Chris Barnett being excused, Commissioner Andreas Blech asked to have the BOLI decision moved to next week. The District Attorney presented the Victims of Crime Act Grant and CFA Grant renewal requests to help support crime victim self-sufficiency. The board moved the decision to this week's Business Session. The commissioners approved an invoice from both the Clerk and Facilities Departments, as well as the Recreation Departments out-of-state travel request. The Public Works and Forestry Department's vehicle purchase requests were approved, and the board moved 2-0 to sign the United States Forest Service agreement to extend the contract negotiation window. Motions to approve the Information Technology Department invoices for a Geographic Information System Service Software Renewal and Managed Data Detection and Response Software Renewal passed.

Posted on 11/3/25 10:32AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Apprehended Shoplifter after Stealing Food and Propane

A Hidden Valley Market shoplifter was apprehended by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies Sunday afternoon.

At 1:12 p.m., the Sheriff's Office was alerted to a suspect stealing food items and propane from the 7200 Williams Highway store. After pushing past employees, the suspect left in a red vehicle.

Deputies tracked down and took the suspect, Apolonio Mendez, into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Third Degree Robbery and Third Degree Theft.

Posted on 11/3/25 5:37AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Troopers Respond to Fatal Single Vehicle Crash over Weekend

Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 140, near milepost 9, in Jackson County early Saturday morning. On November 1, at 3:50 a.m., the preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Ford F350, operated by a juvenile male, 17, of Eagle Point, failed to negotiate a curve, crashed through a guardrail, and rolled into an adjacent creek. The operator of the vehicle, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was declared deceased at the scene. A passenger of the Ford, Mitchel Frank Thorpe, 18, of Eagle Point, was not wearing a seatbelt and was also declared deceased at the scene. Two additional passengers, a male juvenile, 17, of Eagle Point and a female juvenile, 17, of Medford, were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. Impairment and speed are considered the primary factors of the crash.

Posted on 11/3/25 5:26AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Conducting Welfare Check Arrested Man Rolling On Sidewalk

Grants Pass Police conducted a welfare check regarding a possibly impaired man Thursday morning.

Around 11:27 a.m., officers were notified of a man rolling around on the sidewalk in front of the Little Caesars at 1616 Williams Highway.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Kyle Waycott. He displayed indicators of impairment from a suspected narcotic, and his parole officer was contacted. It was determined Waycott had violated his parole and a detainer was requested.

Waycott was subsequently taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the violation detainer and a charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Posted on 10/31/25 11:38AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Responded Downtown to Man Jumping in the Roadway

Grants Pass Police officers were alerted to a disturbance downtown late Thursday night.

At 11:17 p.m., dispatch could see via cameras that a man in a white long sleeve shirt and jeans was in the middle lane of 6th street in front of Resting Site 6. He was jumping around and sitting in the roadway, was causing public alarm.

Officers contacted the suspect, Juan Baca-Bignall. He appeared to be highly under the influence and was unable to hold a conversation.

After taking Baca-Bignall into custody, he consented to a search of his person. Officers located a glass smoking device with residue and a small coin wallet containing baggies of what tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Baca-Bignall was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession and Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 10/31/25 10:59AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Frequent Trespasser after Video Footage Confirmation

Grants Pass Police received a trespassing complaint Thursday morning.

A homeowner in the 300 block of SW K Street called to report he had surveillance footage of a woman ringing the doorbell on his front porch, in spite of having been previously trespassed from the property in September.

The suspect, later identified as Stephanie Johnson, was already in custody at the Josephine County Jail for an unrelated matter. Officers confirmed via the footage her presence at the house on October 26 and 28, 2025.

Johnson was subsequently charged with three counts of Second Degree Trespassing, as well as Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

Posted on 10/31/25 10:46AM by Alex Bauer

Addressing Homelessness Grant Program on Agenda for City Council Workshop

The Grants Pass City Council has the Addressing Homelessness Grant Program on their Monday workshop agenda.

The council will then hear a Workplan third quarter update, a Hillcrest Drive and Beacon Hill surplus property partition update, and a presentation on the Moderate Income Revolving Loan Program.

The council will conclude the workshop with a review of the agenda, then the meeting will adjourn.

The City Council Workshop will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street. It will be livestreamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 10/31/25 10:15AM by Alex Bauer

JCSO Deputies Investigating Rural Gold Hill Homicide

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide next to Interstate 5 in the area of Old Stage Road and Galls Creek Road in rural Gold Hill. The suspect has been taken into custody, and there is no danger to the public. The victim is Steven Jason Worthington, 47, of Shady Cove. Next-of-kin have been notified. Dispatch received multiple calls for an injured person attempting to flag down cars on Southbound I-5 near mile post 42 on Thursday, at 8:01 a.m. JCSO deputies and Fire District 1 Rogue River paramedics arrived on scene and attempted life saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased at 8:36 AM. Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police Department, and the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit responded to assist. Multiple law enforcement units searched the area attempting to locate the suspect and an unknown involved vehicle.

Posted on 10/31/25 10:02AM by Alex Bauer

Board of Commissioners Focusing on Department Business for Special Workshop

For their Monday morning workshop, the Board of County Commissioners will primarily cover department business.

The board will hear from the District Attorney's office about the 2025-26 COVA and CFA Non-Competitive Grant, followed by Legal Counsel regarding mediation in BOLI Cases.

Other business includes a Secretary of State Invoice, a Justice Systems by Long Invoice, and an Out of State Travel Request from the Recreation Department.

Business matters rescheduled from the previous workshop include vehicle purchase requests from Public Works and Forestry, and invoices from Information Technology.

The board will hear Human Resources Requisitions and Actions, then, pending other matters from the commissioners, the meeting will adjourn.

Monday's workshop will begin at 8 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. All attendees are required to comply with the clear bag policy.

Posted on 10/31/25 6:25AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Deputies Apprehended Man Trespassing on Mother's Property

Josephine County Sheriff's Deputies were called out to a trespassing complaint Thursday morning.

At 9:21 a.m., dispatch received a call from a woman stating her son showed up at her property in the 600 block of Cedar Flat Road without her consent.

She confronted him and told him to leave the premises, but he refused. She said she was going to call 9-1-1, but her son took the phone and pushed her while threatening to kill her.

The son gave the phone back, and the mother proceeded to call for law enforcement. She reported to dispatch that she has had ongoing issues with her son making threats and squatting in her house.

Deputies arrived to the scene, contacted the son, and proceeded to take him into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Harassment and Interfering with Making a Police Report.

Posted on 10/31/25 4:30AM by Alex Bauer

Rogue Valley Organizations Coordinate Rapid Response as SNAP Benefits Stall

The Rogue Valley Food System Network and its regional partners will hold a press briefing to address SNAP disruptions and the rising food insecurity across Southern Oregon. On Monday, November 3, at 4:00 p.m. via webinar, RVFSN will be joined by the Medford Food Project, Josephine County Food Bank, Josephine County Farm Collective, Family Nurturing Center, Rogue Food Unites, and Farmers Market Fund. With thousands of households bracing for delayed or reduced SNAP benefits, leaders from food banks, farms, pantries, community organizations, health systems, and public agencies will outline urgent needs, share rapid-response efforts, and announce the Rogue Valley Good Food Fund—a local fund to keep fresh, healthy food flowing to families during this period of uncertainty. The meeting is virtual. Those wanting to attend can register by following the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__GYFYcSyRbCbs-8wbQgQhA#/registration

Posted on 10/31/25 3:47AM by Alex Bauer

Interested Citizen Presented SE N Street Property Idea during BCC Workshop

- Upon further review, we have adjusted this story for accuracy. -
A citizen interested in leasing the 1798 SE N Street property presented their idea to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners during Tuesday's Workshop. No decision has been made on the property as the presentation was strictly informational. Staff were directed to investigate how a lease would be handled, then report back to the board. The commissioners approved the Quitclaim Deed with Dean Davis for property from the September Auction, as well as confidential properties in relation to the Flying Lark, an invoice from Watkinson, Laird & Rubensten regarding former Commissioner John West, and a calendar with timelines to be compiled for the May Election. Board business included approval of a Community Justice Travel request, Forestry contract, the Recreation Department signing off on the Land and Water Conservation Fund Amendment, and the contract for Pressure Point Roofing LLC services for the jail.

Posted on 10/30/25 2:10PM by Alex Bauer

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