Local News

Josephine County is illuminating the County Courthouse green as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans. Now through November 11th, the courthouse is lit with green to show support for veterans and raise awareness around the resources available at the county, state and federal levels to assist veterans and their families. The Josephine County Veterans Service Office is located in the County Courthouse. The staff professionally advocate for veterans and their families to receive the benefits for which they are eligible. Now in its sixth year, Operation Green Light is spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. Josephine County encourages residents, businesses and community organizations to participate in Operation Green Light by changing one light to a green bulb. By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. Community members may also share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.

 

A group of four individuals were contacted in a vehicle, with two being trespassed and the other two arrested.

Grants Pass Police contacted the group parked at 235 Union Avenue around 6:36 a.m. Wednesday. Two of them were given trespass warnings, while a third, Jennifer Condon, was found to have been already trespassed from the area. She was taken into custody for Second Degree Trespass, then informed the officers another person was hiding in the back of the vehicle.

The fourth suspect was located and identified as Kayanna Snyder. She had also been warned for trespassing previously. Officers then took Snyder into custody for a Second Degree Trespass charge as well.

Both she and Condon were transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging, then released per a court order.

 

Two suspects were lodged on outstanding warrants in separate cases by Grants Pass Police.

Around noon on Wednesday, Juan Baca-Bignall was in the Community Corrections lobby at 510 NW 4th Street. He was arrested for a Grants Pass Police Department warrant charging him with a probation violation for drugs. Officers ultimately lodged Baca-Bignall in the Adult Jail Facility for his warrant.

Then, this morning, a suspect was located outside Bi-Mart around 12:46 a.m. Officers identified him as Robert Eidy, and confirmed he had two warrants out for his arrest for Possession of both Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. He was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man that threatened a 911 caller with a machete in Gilbert Creek Park.

Wednesday at 10:29 a.m., the caller reported the suspect had asked for money while at the 1750 NW Hawthorne Avenue park. The caller refused, and the suspect threatened him with a machete. After the suspect had left the scene on his black bike, the caller requested a police response, wishing to press charges.

Law enforcement soon located and contacted the suspect at Ric's Corvette Bar and Grill. He was identified as Donn Fincher, and arrested for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing. He was also trespassed from the 6th Street Carl's Jr., and given a 30-Day Exclusion from the park.

 

The Jackson County Cultural Coalition has awarded $38,493 in grants to 24 local non-profit organizations for 2027 projects and activities that support and promote arts, heritage and humanities in Jackson County.

According to a release, the grant funding will underwrite projects that include concerts, theater productions, youth art education, historic preservation, and more. Many of these projects benefit local schools and students, augmenting their cultural offerings. All enrich the community and enhance the local economy.

The Jackson County Cultural Coalition is the local affiliate of the Oregon Cultural Trust, a statewide trust that raises and invests significant new funds in Oregon’s arts, heritage and humanities. Funds for local grants are made possible by a Cultural Participation Grant from the Trust.

Taxpayers donating to a recognized local cultural organization and then making a matching donation to the Cultural Trust, up to $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a couple filing jointly, can deduct the amount of their donation to the Trust from any taxes they owe the State. Oregon taxpayers still have until December 31st to make the donations that qualify for the Cultural Trust tax credit on their 2026 returns.

 

An ordinance annexing four separate properties on Hudson Lane into the city limits was approved. The applicant requested the annexation to facilitate a future subdivision and development to the City's urban development standards. Then Council approved a second ordinance in conjunction with the Hudson Lane properties changing the zoning from County Rural Residential, RR-5, to City Single Family Residential, R-1-8. Then a resolution approving a fee waiver for a medical hardship permit application on Annabelle Lane. The applicant submitted a planning application requesting the medical hardship permit so he and his family can provide on-site care for his mother at her residence. The fees waived were a total of $1,525.25. The City was scheduled to vote on a 3-year labor contract with the Teamsters Local #223, however the needed resolution was pulled from the Action portion of the agenda at the request of the Teamsters. It will be considered in the future. John Chmelir was appointed to the Development Code Review Task Force.

 

Following the November 3rd General Election, the County website shows a participation rate of 59.2%.

As of the latest report, a total of 40,645 ballots have been accepted of the 41,627 received. The next update for local results is scheduled to be posted on the County website Tuesday, November 10th by 5 p.m.

Other scheduled updates include November 18th and the 25th, with results to be posted both days by 5 p.m. The final certified results will be released no later than Monday, November 30th, again by 5 p.m. Results can also be kept up with at results.oregonvotes.gov, or our station websites.

 

Dispatch was notified of a woman trespassing near the Old Town Antique Mall Tuesday, leading to her arrest for Fentanyl Possession by Grants Pass Police.

The suspect was reportedly leaning on a rock and twitching in the alley way next to the 324 SW 6th Street business around 2:07 p.m. She was described as having black hair, and wearing a cream sweater with blue jeans and black shoes.

The manager of the antique store requested a welfare check and that the suspect be trespassed. Upon arrival, officers contacted the woman. She was identified as Bobbie Jo Langdon, and was found to be in possession of a lighter, short green straw, and piece of foil with a burnt residue.

Field testing of the residue showed positive results for the presence of fentanyl. Langdon's parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was requested. Police took Langdon into custody at the scene, transported her to the Josephine County Jail, and lodged her for Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance and the detainer. She was also trespassed from the store.

 

Open burning in the Jackson County Air Quality Maintenance Area (AQMA) has been extended through November 15th.

According to a release, the Jackson County Air Pollution Ordinance specifies that, due to the limited number of burn days since fire season ended on October 28th, the Ordinance was temporarily amended to allow for the extension by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

Therefore, burning is prohibited inside of the AQMA from November 16th, 2026 through the end of February 2027. Areas outside of the AQMA are allowed to continue open burning on days when the Ventilation Index is determined by the National Weather Service to be adequate.

Jackson County residents can follow these four guidelines for successful open & barrel burning: Obtain a burn permit from your local Fire Department, call the open and barrel burn advisory every day before burning at 541-776-7007, determine if you are inside of the AQMA or city limits, and never burn prohibited materials.