Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect while on a welfare check for a dog and puppies.

Officers were called out to the park at the end of South Old Stage Road in Cave Junction Tuesday. People were camped in the area with a pit bull and her puppies in the area. Some appeared to be malnourished and were in a small cage.

While on the welfare check, they contacted Shannon Petersen. She was uncooperative and was taken into custody on an Oregon Parole Board Warrant for a Post-Prison Supervision Sanction.

She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. All the dogs appeared healthy in weight and had access to water.

 

College has begun for many, and families are both excited and anxious, wondering about financial security. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) reminds Oregonians that having proper insurance coverage can provide greater peace of mind and protect your family. If your student is moving into a dorm room, your homeowner's policy will likely cover their personal property. Ask your child to tell you if they buy a new computer or other pricey items, and have them keep receipts. Students living off campus should consider renters insurance. This coverage protects students' personal property and provides liability coverage. If your student drives, Oregon requires every vehicle on the road to have auto liability coverage. If the title to the vehicle is in your student's name, they must have their own policy. If your college student is driving a vehicle you own, your child can likely stay on your policy and be listed as a driver.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect after a fight broke out.

On Tuesday evening, the suspect, Duane Clark, and another man began a physical altercation on California Avenue. Several other people engaged in the fight until the man asked his son to get a handgun from their vehicle.

The altercation ended, and the man reported having bruising and swelling to his face and left shoulder. He was trespassed from the location, and wanted to make a police report, but refused to answer questions or give video footage his son captured.

Officers reviewed the footage and text messages on the man's phone saying he was going to "deal with" Clark. Several witnesses reported the man was the primary aggressor.

Officers contacted Clark and found he had a valid Out of County Hold Warrant and was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

 

Pacific Power is introducing a new customer incentive program to increase reliability and grid efficiency while keeping costs low.

The program, Cool Keeper, a demand response program that optimizes electricity use on summer days, will help customers stay comfortable while supporting a reliable and efficient energy grid.

Pacific Power says this program is a way for residential customers to benefit the environment and help keep electricity costs low. Through a device installed free of charge on air conditioners and heat pumps, Pacific Power can partner with customers to temporarily reduce energy use without compromising comfort.

Participants sign up just once, and then receive a $30 bill credit every year, distributed in monthly increments from May through September. To participate, customers must have an eligible cooling system. Most central air conditioning units and central heat pumps qualify; however, eligibility will be confirmed during an on-site visit.

The program will initially be available to customers in the Rogue Valley and Central Oregon. As the program expands in 2026, more customers will be able to enroll.

To learn more or sign up, visit PacificPower.net/CoolKeeper or call 1-800-357-9214.

 

The Oregon Department of Justice is alerting the public to watch out for scammers impersonating Oregon Attorneys.

In the first case, a fraudulent website impersonating an Oregon Attorney successfully scammed victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One victim obtained the fake attorney's information through the dating app Hinge.

They believed the individual to be a real attorney offering investment services, transferring funds to them expecting returns.

In a separate incident, a consumer lost over $700,000 when scammers gained unauthorized access to both the attorney's and the client's email accounts. They impersonated the client to provide false wiring instructions, and the attorney to cancel a scheduled meeting.

This matter is under investigation by the FBI. They remind the public that, if they have been impacted by this scam, to file a report with their local police department or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center as quickly as possible.

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself.

 

A lane and road closure was announced affecting downtown Grants Pass.

Now through Friday, September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, NE D Street from Mill Street to NE Foothill Blvd, will have intermittent lane closures with active flagging for utility adjustments.

The following week, from Monday, September 8th, through Friday, September 12th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., drivers should expect active paving.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Call CPI at 541-862-2390 for more information on the lane closure.

Beginning today through September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., NW 5th Street from A Street to Evelyn Avenue will be closed for deep sewer lateral repairs.

There will be local access from A Street to Evelyn, but the road will be closed around the 800 block.

Motorists are again advised to find another way around. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through. For more information on the road closure, call Timber Mountain Construction at 541-956-8700.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners face a very light agenda
Thursday morning. There are no administrative actions listed in the published agenda. There will be requests and comments from citizens where each person will be given three minutes to speak on any topic related to Josephine County. The consent calendar contains minutes to approve from the Commissioner’s administrative work shop August 19th, their weekly business session on the 21st, the continued land use meeting on the 25th and the KAJO radio interview on the 26th. Incidentally, that interview is still posted on this stations website at kajo.com. Thursday’s Business Session begins at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium at 600 Northwest Sixth Street and will be streamed on the County’s website.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a rollover crash yesterday.

On Tuesday afternoon, emergency services responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Wild Park Lane, near milepost 199. They found the vehicle rolled up on its side.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, Oregon State Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation all responded to the scene.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and Jerry's Towing subsequently cleared the vehicle from the roadway.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry is reminding Josephine and Jackson County members to be alert for potential fires today. September is bringing a chance for thunderstorms across the majority of both counties today, along with hot temperatures and gusty winds. Lightning strikes can cause new fires, and all of these conditions can fuel their growth. As a result, the US National Weather Service Medford office issued a Red Flag Warning for the eastern and southern borders of Jackson County and the southern portion of Josephine County until 9 p.m. today. A smaller chance for thunderstorms is present across the rest of both counties. The storms moving in this afternoon and evening are already active in central California this morning.