Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man on three charges Wednesday afternoon.

At 2:16 p.m., Thomas Fite was contacted and detained by deputies at the corner of South Junction Avenue and East Watkins Street.

Deputies advised Fite he was under arrest, and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Theft, Second Degree Robbery, and Third Degree Assault.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office contacted the owner of a vehicle on private property Wednesday night.

The vehicle, a Nissan Altima, had no license plates, and was parked at the corner of Caves Highway and South Junction Avenue with the property owner's permission.

Deputies contacted the owner of the Altima, Daren McCollum, and found he was wanted on an Albany Police Department Warrant for Contempt.

McCollum was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the warrant, and a charge of Driving While Suspended.

 

Just before midnight Tuesday, crews from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and AMR-Josephine County responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of East Jones Creek Road.

Firefighters found the home filled with smoke and fire racing through the attic. Ceiling material was pulled down in several rooms to quickly reach the flames and stop the spread. Most of the contents were spared.

All occupants and pets escaped without injury, despite smoke alarms not working correctly. Investigators are looking into the cause in an attempt to rule out electrical issues or heat coming from the woodstove pipe.

As such, this is the season when firefighters see an increase in home fires caused by heating devices. The operation of any heating device that uses flame or hot elements should be carefully evaluated each year to confirm they are in proper working order and have adequate space away from flammable materials.

Rural Metro reminds the public to ensure they have properly working smoke alarms in their homes, especially near sleeping areas.

 

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning the public to stay alert for scammers impersonating government officials, law enforcement, or financial experts. According to the 2025 Enforcement Report from the North American Securities Administrators Association, scams involving digital assets, social media, and impersonation are among the top threats this year with artificial intelligence making it easier for criminals to create convincing fakes. Fraudsters can now clone voices, generate fake videos, and impersonate trusted individuals or organizations. This all results in tricking victims into sharing personal information, transferring money, or granting remote access to devices. These scams are increasingly polished, personalized, and difficult to detect until after significant losses occur. Even more concerning are reports of in-person scams. Reported cases describe so-called “gold traders” or “bankers” who contact victims online, build rapport, and later arrive in person to collect cash, gold, or gift cards under false pretenses.

 

Construction has begun on the Hillcrest Drive Road Improvement Project.

From now until April 30, 2026, Hillcrest Drive between 9th Street and Beacon Drive will be closed to through traffic daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Detours will be in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes, and emergency vehicles will be allowed through.

For more information, contact Knife River Materials at (541) 732-2757.

 

The Oregon Public Utility Commission recently approved an overall increase in rates for Avista customers that will go into effect October 31.

The change is the result of several annual adjustments, including a decrease in natural gas prices combined with other filings focused on energy efficiency and customer programs.

The combined result of these annual filings means the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 46 therms per month will increase by $1.75 or 2.56%, bringing the average monthly bill to about $70.18.

Each year the PUC reviews the actual cost of natural gas and approves adjustments to rates accordingly through a process called the Purchased Gas Adjustment. The PGA allows utilities to pass through the cost of purchasing natural gas to customers without a markup on the price.

This year, natural gas prices were moderate, and Avista collected more than needed from customers last year. As a result, the PGA led to a decrease in natural gas costs in customers’ bills.

Despite the lower gas prices, other approved updates, such as funding for energy efficiency programs and customer support services, resulted in a net increase in rates. Altogether, these changes will raise Avista’s total revenue, or the amount collected from customers, by $4.1 million.

Avista serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon. You can contact Avista at (800) 227-9187 or visit their website, www.myavista.com.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were notified of a reported assault Tuesday night.

The victim notified dispatch that his brother was attacking him and that he didn't have time to discuss before disconnecting the call.

He was still able to provide an address in the 1000 block of NE Savage Street, and officers responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, law enforcement contacted the victim outside the residence, who said he had just come back from work when his brother struck him. Officers identified numerous injuries on the victim.

The suspect said the dispute was verbal before becoming physical, but he refused to provide further details. Officers took him into custody, then transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Fourth Degree Assault.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department reported to Resting Site 5 Tuesday afternoon.

While checking the area, they contacted a woman, Jaquelyn Hayes, who was in possession of a tent that exceeded the site footprint. She was cited, and then issued a 30 day exclusion from the 711 NW 5th Street property.

Officers next contacted Sabrina Willett inside of a tent that was outside the resting site. She claimed she and her tent had been pulled outside, but couldn't identify who did it.

Willett was found to be wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, and Third Degree Theft. She was subsequently taken to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on the warrant.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners have a very light agenda for this week's Business Session.

With no business or actions to consider, the board will listen to the public during the requests and comments period, followed by an approval of the consent calendar.

Pending any other matters from the commissioners, the meeting will adjourn.

Thursday's Weekly Business session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW 6th Street. It will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

All meeting attendees are required to comply with the clear bag policy.