Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will reach out for added security for public courthouse meetings after this morning's general discussion.

The commissioners met to discuss security in the courthouse. Commissioner Smith said he would reconnect with Sheriff Dave Daniel to supply another deputy and work out details for added security during meetings.

The board agreed on the decision with the objective to keep everyone safe. Not only staff, but the public who attend. They confirmed meetings will be held as usual, with public comment and the option to livestream.

The board also agreed to move forward with the recommendation for camera equipment upgrades in the courthouse after a previous brief from the IT Department.

 

The Josephine Community Library District released a statement in response to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners September 15th press release. The board said they "approved a lease with the library, and is pending the library board's approval" in their release sent out Tuesday. According to the library, county legal counsel and the library’s legal counsel are still drafting a new lease, with Commissioner Andreas Blech. The matter was initially scheduled to come before the Board of County Commissioners on September 18 during the commissioners’ weekly business session, but Commissioner Blech has since moved the discussion to the September 23 administrative session. During the August 21st Weekly Business Session meeting, Commissioner Blech added a "termination for convenience" clause allowing either party to cancel the lease on 30 days' notice, a clause he said was in the current agreement at that time.

 

Rural Metro Fire is recruiting local men and women for their part-time, call-back program.

Their state-accredited training program covers all-hazard topics like structural and wildland suppression, technical rescue, and medical skills.

Work schedules can vary based on call volume and shift availability, but will require a minimum 36 hours of active participation per quarter. This program starts at Oregon minimum wage.

To qualify, you must be 18 years of age, be able to show proof of your high school diploma or GED, and a valid Oregon driver's license, reside within Rural Metro's Response area or 30 minutes from the administration office, 807 NE 6th Street, in Grants Pass, successfully complete a physical abilities test, interview, drug screen, and background check.

Rural Metro invites you to join their team of firefighters and rescue professionals. Send them a letter of interest detailing why you want to join, your name, home address, email, and phone number to firejobs@ruralmetrofd.com.

 

The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Max Jones as one of Oregon’s 16 Regional Teachers of the Year. Jones teaches music and band at North Valley High School in Grants Pass. He will be honored in a classroom celebration at North Valley High School Thursday, September 18, at 10:20 a.m. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Jones was nominated by many parents and students. He said, “My philosophy of teaching – fostering collaboration, student ownership, and musical excellence – while ensuring all learners, regardless of background or ability, experience growth and success.” Each Regional Teacher of the Year is in the running for Oregon’s 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year to be announced in October.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a major traffic crash involving an overturned log truck trailer Monday

The truck spilled its load of timber, crushing three vehicles and injuring two drivers. The incident occurred on Avenue G near the intersection of Highway 62 at approximately 10:15 a.m., September 15.

The initial report came in at 10:04 a.m. when a concerned motorist called 911 to report a log truck driving erratically on Highway 62, with its trailer wobbling severely.

Shortly thereafter, multiple 911 calls reported the trailer flipping at the intersection west of Highway 62, dumping heavy logs onto the roadway. A JCSO Deputy arrived on scene and discovered three vehicles crushed by the logs – a Ford F-150, a Hyundai Elantra, and a Nissan cargo van.

The driver of the F-150 suffered life-threatening injuries and the driver of the Elantra was also injured. Both were taken to medical facilities for care. The driver of the van did not require medical transport.

The investigation is being led by the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team. The operator of the log truck and the trucking company are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. No further information has been released at this time.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were alerted to a man observed at a local resting area.

Camera footage captured the suspect at 704 NW 6th Street smoking something off of burnt aluminum foil. He was then observed dropping his body weight randomly, a behavior consistent with opioid use.

Officers contacted him and, during a consent search, found a plastic bag and foil with residue on them. More foil with residue was found in his backpack.

He was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Fentanyl Possession.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for theft at a local grocery store he was previously trespassed from.

Officers contacted the suspect and a woman at 231 NE Terry Lane after they bypassed all points of sale with stolen merchandise.

While the store didn't pursue charges for the woman on account of her buying a large quantity then returning the stolen items, they did pursue charges for the man. Both parties were trespassed from the location.

Officers took the man into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Third Degree Theft.

 

A new scam is becoming increasingly common throughout the state. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield warned Oregonians about an uptick of scams involving card skimmers placed on payment machines at grocery and convenience stores across the state, especially in rural areas. These devices allow thieves to steal data from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which are used by thousands of Oregon families to access food and cash assistance. Law enforcement has identified a traveling group targeting Oregon retailers, especially discount stores and small markets, by installing skimmers that capture card and PIN information. Once stolen, this information is used across the country to make fraudulent purchases, often draining families’ benefits before they realize what has happened. The Oregon Department of Human Services has seen a reported 50% increase in dollars stolen from EBT cards in the first half of September compared to July and August combined.

 

Local teachers are receiving some financial help towards their new internship program. Voya Financial, Inc. announced that a group of educators at Gladiola High School in Grants Pass, has received a $2,000 grant as part of the company’s 2025 Unsung Heroes awards competition. They are the only winners in the entire state of Oregon and one of only 50 winning submissions to receive the award to help fund their program. The group receiving the grant from Voya includes teachers Robin Beierle, Gary Miller, Jalynn Dinkins, and volunteer Doug Walker. The team's internship program hopes to not only provide students with high school credit, but earn a wage, according to Beierle. Selected from hundreds of applications Voya received from throughout the United States, these educators will now compete with other finalists for one of the top three prizes — an additional $5,000 for third place, $10,000 for second place or $25,000 for first place from Voya Financial.