Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will consider Oregon Health Authority amendments and a resolution providing unused sick leave benefits to general service employees during Thursday's meeting. Also up for consideration is a board order in the matter of the procedure for setting both fees and a public hearing. During the requests and comments period, citizens will have three minutes to speak on any topic to the commissioners, who will then review each comment and potentially respond. After approving consent calendar minutes, the board may consider other matters and announcements. Thursday morning's Weekly Business Session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, 600 NW Sixth Street, and will be streamed at josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a trespassing complaint involving an intoxicated suspect Tuesday night.

Around 8:31 p.m., dispatch received a call stating a woman was refusing to leave a property on the 100 block of Merlin Road. Officers were advised she had gone around to the back of the building.

Upon arrival, officers contacted Jenifer Scott, and took her into custody for Second Degree Trespassing and Resisting Arrest. She was taken to the Sobering Center where she continued to be uncooperative and refused a breathalyzer test.

Scott was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass sends its thanks to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to their 2025 Annual Gala, “Storytellers.”

The PCC said, "This year’s event was made possible through the generosity of our sponsors, in-kind donors, and volunteers who gave their time and resources to help make the evening a success. Because of your support, the Pregnancy Care Center can continue offering free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, parenting education, and compassionate care to individuals and families in our community."

Thanks to the partnership of many businesses and individuals, the Pregnancy Care Center is able to continue serving our community, and they thank everyone for helping them make a difference, one story at a time.

 

A brief recess paused today's County Administration Workshop due to an undisclosed security issue. The board reconvened shortly thereafter, and invited U-Turn for Christ to introduce their proposal for a 24-hour supervised, low-barrier entry site to help provide shelter and reintegration resources for the homeless. Further discussion will be on the next workshop agenda. The board approved a manager report and recommendation regarding County Legal Property at 210 Tacoma, along with documents from the September auction. A recommendation to stick with a 10% fee funding 50% of property management in the matter of confirming the Sheriff's certificate of sale and authorization to distribute the proceeds was also approved. Department business saw no objection from the commissioners to the Sheriff's request for authorization to acquire the e-Citations Integration Program.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Technical Rope Rescue Team saved a man after he fell nearly 300 feet down a cliff near Prospect. At 2:19 a.m. Saturday, October 4, dispatch received a call reporting that a man had gone over a Rogue River canyon cliff near the 1100 block of Mill Creek Drive. Witnesses told dispatchers they could hear the man calling for help from below. The Jackson County Fire District 4 and JCSO deputies responded with assistance from the JCSO Fire District 3 Technical Rescue Team, and determined that a high-angle rope rescue would be necessary. The JCSO SAR Technical Rope Rescue Team and Fire District 3, conducted a complex rope operation. Using 400 feet of rope and a litter, SAR volunteers lowered rescuers and raised the injured man back to safety from the bottom of the canyon. Mercy Flights Inc. transported the man by air ambulance to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

 

A call came in to the Grants Pass Police Department about a trespassing complaint Monday afternoon.

Officers learned the suspect had arrived at a property in the 1300 block of NE 10th Street, and refused to leave.

The caller had just returned to the location and found the suspect there, and told officers the suspect wasn't allowed on the property.

Officers contacted the suspect inside the residence and took her into custody. She was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Trespass and a Parole Violation Detainer.

 

The James C. Richards Award was presented to Rogue River Mayor Pam Van Arsdale Friday during the League of Oregon Cities’ 100th Annual Conference in Portland.

The League says this award is given to an elected city official who serves the citizens of Oregon through exceptional personal investment in intergovernmental affairs.

During her eight years as Mayor, Van Arsdale has modernized city policies and secured vital transit services from neighboring counties.

Her regional leadership includes eight years on the Rogue Valley Council of Governments board, and she also serves on the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development’s Local Officials Advisory Committee and several LOC Policy Committees.

In 2018, her efforts were recognized with the Mayor’s Leadership Award for Small Cities from the Oregon Mayors Association.

Balancing a full-time career with civic engagement, Mayor Van Arsdale sets a high bar for integrity and impact. Her steadfast commitment to open, educated discussion, along with realistic solutions, has benefited her city, Jackson County, the Southern Oregon region, and the entire state.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office made a traffic stop Monday morning resulting in the arrest of a man with two warrants.

Officers pulled over Tyler Garland at the corner of Fruitdale Drive and Gaffney Way. He was found to be wanted on both a Grants Pass and Jackson County Warrant.

Garland was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the warrants for Fentanyl and Meth Possession, First Degree Forgery and Theft, and Three Counts of Identity Theft.

Garland was also cited for Driving While Suspended, and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

Following a report of a traffic accident, the Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to the Collier Tunnel by Gasquet Fire and Del Norte Ambulance.

Upon arrival, responding units assessed two vehicles involved in the incident blocking the lane, with no reported injuries.

The scene was subsequently released to Gasquet Fire and the California Highway Patrol.