Local News

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division was investigating the illegal killing of two elk in the Sunny Valley area. According to OSP, game troopers were alerted to the deceased elk in the 1700-block of Speaker Road last Friday morning. They responded immediately. Troopers said the elks' decomposition indicated their deaths were several days old. Evidence was collected and logged as the case remains open. Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to dial *OSP.

 

Two longtime members of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were recognized by the Board of Commissioners this week for a quarter-century of service. Undersheriff Travis Snyder and Sergeant Jason Stanton were honored for 25 years of service to the community during the Commissioners weekly business session. Undersheriff Snyder started as a Reserve Deputy with the Sheriff's Office in March 1999. A few months later, he was hired as a full-time Deputy working patrol. In 2005, he became a Detective working narcotics. He was one of the few who stayed on during the 2012 layoffs, working in the adult jail and patrol. In 2014, he was promoted to Corporal and he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2016. After a year as Lieutenant, he became Sheriff's Dave Daniel's Undersheriff. Sergeant Stanton was hired at the same time as Snyder in August 1999. He survived the 2000 layoffs as a full-time Patrol Deputy. During his time as Deputy, he was a School Resource Officer and a BLM Contract Deputy for 16 years before being promoted to Corporal in 2019. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2021 and is currently the Training Coordinator for Patrol for the next generation of deputies. Sheriff Daniel thanks both Snyder and Stanton for their years of dedicated service to the Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Josephine County.

 

Jackson County Vector Control is reporting a single mosquito pool in White City has tested positive for West Nile Virus. It was the third West Nile Virus detection in Jackson County this year and the second this week. The mosquitoes were collected by the Vector Control District as part of a routine surveillance program. Residents are advised to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since West Nile Virus is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People should consult their health care provider if they experience any flu-like symptoms -- especially in people over 50 years of age with underlying medical conditions. Health care providers can contact the Jackson County Health Department for information on West Nile Virus testing. The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated and farm animals. Horse owners should get their horses vaccinated for West Nile Virus. Horses with neurological disease should be examined by a veterinarian. West Nile testing is available at Oregon State University. The Jackson Vector Control District suggests taking steps to protect against mosquitoes. Use repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon or eucalyptus, or Picardin.

 

Mount Ashland is preparing for the 2024-25 winter season with several important projects to enhance the resort for families and novice skiers. These projects include adding new terrain for the Lithia Chair and upgrading the mountain's night lighting. To complete these projects, Mount Ashland needs to raise $500,000. Ski Area Manager Andrew Gast said adding new terrain for the Lithia Chair will double the acreage of youth, upper-beginner and lower-intermediate trails at Mount Ashland. He said youth programs have been growing by 5% annually, and increasing the mountain's terrain will improve the accessibility and overall experience for skiers and snowboarders who are learning. The new terrain will be able to stay open in higher winds that typically close Sonnet and will also feature additional alpine racing for youth. Sid and Karen DeBoer will be matching all gifts for these projects that are received by September 30th, up to a total of $500,000. Gifts can be made by visiting "classy.org/give/598624/#!/donation/checkout" or by contacting the Mount Ashland business office.

 

The Grants Pass Active Club is feeling particularly thankful after last week's Josephine County Fair. Last Saturday, the Active Club held the "5th Annual 4TheKids Livestock Auction" for 205 kids in the community. The local kids worked hard, went out into the community and invited business, organizations and individuals to attend the event. Over 160 buyers participated in the youth livestock auction. A total of $861,803 was collected. One young man earned more than $30,000 for his market hog. Several organizations spent more than $40,000. Over 12,000 pounds of meat was donated to local organizations such as Joe's Place, Women's Crisis Support Team, Gospel Rescue Mission and the Josephine County Food Bank. The 4-H Extension Service also announced that the pig pens will be donated to the Josephine County Fairgrounds. The Active Club expresses its gratitude to everyone involved who made this happen for local kids.

 

KAJO Radio first hit the local airwaves on August 15, 1957. Started by a couple of close friends from Oklahoma, Jim Wilson and Elzie Parker, the Grants Pass radio station became popular with its folksy humor, community involvement and religious programming. Since that time, the Grants Pass Broadcasting Corporation has added two more stations -- KLDR 98.3 FM and KRRM 94.7 FM. KAJO can still be heard at 1270 AM as well as 99.7 FM. A large number of talented people -- including Big Jim and Elzie -- have made it possible to remain a privately-owned radio station in a current market that is dominated by corporate ownership. We wouldn't have it any other way… Happy 67th Birthday to KAJO Radio!

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended an out-of-state fugitive during a drug investigation on the southeast side of the city last night. The Police Department reports officers and emergency crews responded to a possible drug overdose in the 2500-block of Overland Drive on Wednesday at about 8:15 p.m.. Police said they contacted a 32-year-old male subject at the scene who refused medical attention. They said he was under the influence of narcotics, so they took him to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided them with false names. According to the report, the subject became unresponsive and he was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for evaluation. Further investigation revealed that the man was wanted on an Apache County, Arizona, felony warrant for Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Physical Injury, 3rd-Degree Assault with a Deadly Weapon and 3rd-Degree Assault. The warrant was confirmed by the Apache County Sheriff's Office. The suspect was medically released from the hospital and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the out-of-state warrant. He was being held without bail pending extradition proceedings that will likely send him back to Arizona.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on state and local warrants while investigating a trespassing complaint in the Merlin area early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 47-year-old male subject in the 3,000-block of Merlin Road on Wednesday at 10:17 a.m.. Deputies said a woman who is a friend of the property owner called 9-1-1 to report seeing a man walking from the shop area while carrying a large black case on his shoulder. The caller said the man left the property and walked toward Merlin. She wasn't sure if he had stolen anything, but knew he was not supposed to be there. A short time later, the subject returned to the property and went to a trailer in the back. That's where deputies contacted him and discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a burglary conviction as well as a Josephine County warrant for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two people on a variety of charges following a theft complaint at Walmart early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the shoplifting call at the big box retailer on NE Terry Lane on Wednesday at 9:39 a.m.. Police said Walmart loss prevention reported that a man and woman had taken more than $200 worth of items including electronics, clothing and a gun-cleaning kit. The pair reportedly ran through the parking lot toward the Parkway and they were eventually detained near Parkway Christian Center. The 44-year-old male subject is a convicted felon and he was found to be in possession of a dagger. The 28-year-old female subject was found to be in possession of an 8-gram chunk of methamphetamine. The weapon and meth were seized as evidence as the suspects were placed into custody. The man was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, Escape and 2nd-Degree Theft. The woman was jailed for Escape, 2nd-Degree Theft and Meth Possession. Both were held without bail.