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Law Enforcement Searching for Wanted Man Following Crime Spree

Law enforcement agencies throughout Southern Oregon are searching for a man wanted in connection with multiple stolen vehicles and a high-speed pursuit that occurred Monday. The suspect, Billy Dean Gregory, 55, of O’Brien, is wanted on outstanding warrants and faces multiple charges, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, theft, reckless driving, and attempting to elude police. Gregory is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 198 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen around 1:00 p.m. switching stolen vehicles in the Colver Road area of Talent. At this time, it is unknown what vehicle he may be driving. The suspect remains at large. There is no further information available for release at this time. Anyone who sees Billy Dean Gregory or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.

Posted on 12/30/25 4:41AM by Alex Bauer

Recall Election Ballot Return Report Shows 17.77% Voter Turnout So Far

The Ballot Return report for the Recall Election against Commissioner Chris Barnett shows a voter turnout of 17.77% so far.

The latest report, provided by County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels, shows a grand total of 12,522 ballots received. Of those, 6,100 ballots have been verified. There is a total of 70,487 eligible voters in Josephine County.

According to a notice on the county website, the schedule for January 6, 2026 Recall Election reporting begins that same Tuesday after 8 p.m., followed by further results January 14th and 23rd posted by 5 p.m., pending schedule changes dependent on receipt of ballots.

Certified Results will be posted no later than February 2nd, but no sooner than January 28th posted by 5 p.m.

Posted on 12/30/25 4:22AM by Alex Bauer

Oregon to Receive $197.3M Federal Investment in Rural Healthcare

Oregon will receive $197.3 million in 2026 to improve rural healthcare and could receive more in the following four years, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will invest the federal funding in community-driven projects that improve healthcare access, boost chronic disease management and prevention, grow and sustain the healthcare workforce, and expand the use of health technology and data in Oregon’s rural and frontier communities.

The Oregon Rural Health Transformation Program includes a dedicated Tribal initiative that will provide direct funding for the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes in Oregon to improve their own healthcare access and health outcomes in a way that honors the government-to-government relationship with the Tribes.

Oregon is centering the unique needs and perspectives of people in rural communities for this effort. OHA conducted statewide engagement to develop its original funding proposal, and will continue to closely collaborate with hospitals, clinics, providers, patients and others in rural Oregon as it implements the program during the next five years.

The federal funding is being awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program. More information is on the OHA Rural Health Transformation Program site, www.oregon.gov/oha. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to sign up for email updates at the same site.

Posted on 12/29/25 12:31PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Man Out of Compliance with Probation

Grants Pass Police arrested a suspect who was out of compliance with his probation.

A caller, while out walking his dog, reported to dispatch that two people were walking around the outside of the Treasure House at 1731 Williams Highway. All lights were off in the building, but the two suspects were shining flashlights into the windows.

The caller had initially seen the suspects five minutes prior doing the same thing, but they were still there. Feeling the situation was suspicious, he called 911.

Upon arrival, officers contacted one of the suspects, Michael Cheek. He wasn't allowed to be in contact with the other suspect as part of his probation, so his probation officer was contacted.

A detainer was requested, and Cheek was taken into custody. Officers transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for the violation.

Posted on 12/29/25 11:54AM by Alex Bauer

Fred Meyer Theft Suspect Apprehended by Loss Prevention, Arrested by GP Police

Fred Meyer witnessed another shoplifting incident Sunday afternoon.

Loss Prevention at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store called dispatch to report a woman had bypassed all points of sale with items valued at just over $140. She had gotten into her vehicle, but the items were retrieved.

The woman proceeded to go back into the store to comply while her driver remained in the vehicle with a dog. Fred Meyer wished to pursue a charge of Trespass, but wasn't sure about a theft charge since she came back inside and complied.

Grants Pass Police arrived and took the suspect, Jennifer Bateman, into custody. She was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Theft, and trespassed from the store.

Posted on 12/29/25 11:41AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Arrested Man on Active Warrant during Welfare Check

The Oregon State Police conducted a welfare check on a man at milepost 61 on Interstate 5 around 6:42 p.m. Saturday.

He was contacted and identified as Paul Bogosian, 52, of Grants Pass. Troopers learned that he had an active warrant out for his arrest.

Bogosian was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for the warrant.

Posted on 12/29/25 10:42AM by Alex Bauer

Monday Commissioner Meeting Cancelled Per Commissioner Barnett's Request

Today's Commissioner Meeting regarding the Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 was cancelled per Commissioner Chris Barnett's request according to a phone call to the courthouse.

Meetings with Interviews and an Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 on the agenda are scheduled for December 30, 31, and January 5 at 10 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room.

Each meeting will be livestreamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream, and those who would like to attend in person must abide by the clear bag policy.

Posted on 12/29/25 8:28AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Detained, Arrested Suspect Trespassing in Vacant Home

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home in the 6000 block of Lakeshore Drive where suspects had reportedly broken into and were living inside.

The son of the woman who previously lived at the property was contacted by a neighbor about the break in. The son proceeded to notify law enforcement. He said his mother had moved to live with him, but that there was still some of her property at the home.

No one was allowed inside, the gate was removed, and the power had somehow been turned back on at the location. Law enforcement was given permission to enter the property and the house per the caller's mother.

Deputies arrived at the scene and detained a suspect, Mathew Granger, whom the mother confirmed she didn't know and never gave permission to be on the property. The area was cleared, and Granger was taken to the Josephine County Jail.

He was lodged for First Degree Trespass, as well as a charge of Meth Possession.

Posted on 12/29/25 7:23AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Trespassed from Walgreens Apprehended by GP Police, Lodged on Detainer

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man following a trespassing complaint at Walgreens Saturday.

An employee of the 111 Union Avenue store told dispatch around 2:52 p.m. that the previously trespassed suspect had an Albertsons cart on the premises. He then began to leave toward Union and Williams Highway.

Arriving officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Upon learning the man was out at MINT, they arrived, contacted, and identified him as Michael Carrero.

He was further trespassed from the Walgreens, and his parole officer was contacted. A detainer was issued for Carrero, so officers took him into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the probation violation.

Posted on 12/29/25 6:29AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Safeway Suspect on Theft and Trespass Charges

Dispatch was notified of a theft complaint at the 1640 Williams Highway Safeway Saturday afternoon.

The caller reported the suspect, believed to be Sean MacDowell, the suspect from a previous call who had stolen a liquor bottle the night before, was just inside despite having been trespassed. He appeared to leave with a jacket full of items. The manager was going through security footage to see what was taken.

MacDowell was last seen heading towards a Little Caesars, but his bike was still parked between the Safeway and CVS. The caller wanted to pursue charges of theft and trespass.

Grants Pass Police officers found MacDowell outside a nearby massage parlor. He was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Trespass and Theft in the Third Degree.

Posted on 12/29/25 6:17AM by Alex Bauer

Mt. Ashland Opens Today With Limited Terrain for the 2025-2026 Season

Mt. Ashland Ski Area announced it will open for the 2025-26 winter season today, with limited terrain available. Guests will notice several exciting upgrades this season, including additional LED night lighting on the Lithia Chairlift and the expansion of Twilight Skiing terrain to include Lupine and Poma in preparation for Twilight Skiing beginning January 8, as well as the newly paved Karen & Sid DeBoer Lodge guest plaza and new directional signage inside The Lodge. The Sonnet Chairlift, Lithia Chairlift, and the First Act Learning Carpet will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A limited-time $18 Sonnet single-day lift ticket, which includes access to Sonnet Chairlift, Lithia Chairlift and First Act, is available. Open terrain will include Sonnet for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Poma and Lupine will be open for

Posted on 12/29/25 5:08AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Wanted on Three Warrants Arrested at Resting Site 6 South by GP Police

Grants Pass Police observed a suspect in front of Resting Site 6 South Wednesday morning.

Officers contacted the man, Aleksandr Uchytil, around 11:55 a.m. at the 704 NW 6th Street site, and subsequently detained him. He was known to be wanted on three active and serviceable warrants out of the Grants Pass Police Department.

Uchytil's warrants charged him with First Degree Theft, Escape in the Third Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. He was positively identified, and then transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his warrants.

Posted on 12/26/25 11:50AM by Alex Bauer

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