Local News

The Grants Pass City Council will cover budget topics and discuss the Lands and Buildings project during their Monday workshop.

On the agenda are budget development FTE staffing requests, and the topic of reaffirming budget policy and future financial outlook. After the Lands and Buildings project discussion, the council will appoint the Rogue Valley Council of Governments representative.

After an agenda review, the council will adjourn the workshop, then convene for executive session. Three topics will be considered, including information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection, consulting the counsel concerning the legal rights and duties with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed, and real property transactions and negotiations.

Monday's workshop will begin at 11:45 a.m. in Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street. The public may attend, and the workshop will be streamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

 

The Caretaker’s Cottage, or Reed Building, in Riverside Park is a recognized historic building.

Based on a 2024 survey, there is broad community support for preserving and restoring this historic structure.

According to a release, the City Council has preliminarily selected a proposal to use the cottage as paid overnight lodging, including an area adjacent to the building to construct six yurts within a small, fenced area east of the building.

Before the City Council proceeds with any final decision, they are seeking input on this proposal to convert the Reed Building to an overnight accommodation and add yurts.

The survey closes at 5 p.m. on March 27th, and can be found at www.grantspassoregon.gov/formcenter.

 

Oregon State Police made two arrests within minutes of each other Thursday evening.

On U.S. Highway 199 around 5:11 p.m., troopers responded to a parent requesting assistance for her child who had an outstanding warrant. The juvenile was contacted, her warrant for Probation Violation was confirmed, and troopers transported her to the Josephine County Juvenile Detention Center.

Then at 5:38 p.m. at milepost 33 on Redwood Highway, troopers initiated a traffic stop on a black Infiniti q50 after observing multiple traffic violations. After contacting the driver, Derek Culver, 54, of O'Brien, troopers found he had misdemeanor level suspended driving privileges.

Culver was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his misdemeanor suspension, and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

A man was arrested for theft and meth possession warrants at Resting Site 6 North Thursday.

At 10:03 a.m., officers with the Grants Pass Police Department detained Shane Barton at the 714 NW 6th Street site. It was known to law enforcement that Barton had two serviceable warrants out for his arrest from the Police Department.

Barton's charges included Third Degree Theft and Possession of Methamphetamine, and he was promptly taken into custody after his identity was confirmed. Officers transported him to the Josephine County Jail on his warrants.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man wanted on three warrants outside the Women's Health Center.

Thursday evening around 7:34, a call to dispatch reported a man in a gray and tan hoodie had been pulling on car door handles. The suspect ducked behind a vehicle as the caller drove by the 1075 SW Grandview Avenue location two minutes prior.

An officer responded to the scene but was unable to locate a suspect that matched the description. There was no indication of crime in the area, but the officer did locate Sean MacDowell in the area.

While he had no relation to the original 911 call, he was known by the officer to have three warrants out for his arrest, all out of the Grants Pass Police Department. MacDowell's warrants charged him with three counts of First Degree Criminal Trespass, Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Second Degree Theft, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and three counts of Third Degree Theft.

After confirming his serviceable warrants, the officer took MacDowell into custody. He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

 

Britt has announced another group of performances for the 2026 summer season, adding nine more nights of music and comedy to the hill, as well as announcing the date for its second annual Britt Under The Stars Fundraising Gala.

Performances include alternative rock favorites Modest Mouse, the gritty Southern rock sound of Whiskey Myers, Greensky Bluegrass, with Elle King and Brantley Gilbert adding signature blends of rock and country. Legendary rock band Chicago will return to Jacksonville, and audiences can also experience Classic Albums Live as they perform the Eagles, Greatest Hits.

Britt is also excited to add two evenings of comedy with Jeff Dunham and Gabriel Iglesias. Everyone is reminded to save-the-date September 10th for the Britt Under The Stars Gala, the second annual fundraising evening celebrating music, community, and future plans for the new Britt Headquarters at the historic U.S. Hotel building.

All tickets are available through britt.org, the Box Office at 541-773-6077, or in person at 216 W Main St. in Medford. Fans are reminded to always visit the official website directly to ensure that their tickets are valid and the best possible price.

 

There's still time to get free tax preparation with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

Josephine County VITA continues to offer free income tax preparation for qualifying individuals and families in the community. Their IRS-trained volunteers are available to help ensure your return is filed accurately and that you receive any refunds or credits you may be entitled to.

If you worked, received Social Security, pensions, or other income during the year, you may still need to file a return. You may also qualify for valuable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, or some new deductions from the Big Beautiful Bill passed last July.

Appointments are filling quickly for weekdays, evenings, Saturdays, as well as Tuesdays and Fridays at the Grants Pass branch of the Josephine Community Library. To schedule your free tax preparation appointment, call 541-223-9597 or go to jocovita.org.

Please bring your photo ID, Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return, and all income documents such as W-2s or 1099s to your appointment.

 

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant in Talent Thursday. SOCET responded after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas. After discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material images were uploaded from the residence on Taylor Street, investigators served the search warrant. They interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. During the warrant, digital devices were seized which investigators are continuing to examine, as well as interviewing witnesses. No further details will be released at this time.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man wanted on felony and misdemeanor warrants following a foot pursuit.

At 12:20 Wednesday afternoon, the suspect ran from law enforcement towards the back of Cave Junction Jubilee Park.

Despite having no probable cause for his arrest, the suspect ran back by the amphitheater and into the men's restroom of the 309 S Junction Avenue park. He was soon detained by deputies who identified him as Jordan Haas.

He was wanted on two warrants: a Josephine County Felony warrant for First Degree Forgery, and a Grants Pass Misdemeanor warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. Deputies took Haas into custody, transported him to the Josephine County Jail, and lodged him on the warrants.