Local News

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to multiple 911 calls this week linked to a nationwide viral TikTok prank involving Artificial Intelligence. In this trend, people use AI to generate realistic images of a disheveled “homeless man” appearing inside their own homes, then send the images to family or friends as a prank. Locally, several parents received these AI-generated photos from their teens and, believing an intruder was present, called 911. JCSO deputies responded, but all incidents were determined to be hoaxes. The teens involved were given warnings. However, such pranks may constitute initiating a false report, a Class A misdemeanor under Oregon law. Under the law, offenders may be required to repay response and investigation costs, and if a SWAT team is deployed, the charge carries a mandatory minimum jail term of 10 days. Parents are urged to talk with their children about how AI can create convincing fake content, the serious legal and emotional consequences of online pranks, and the dangers of misusing emergency services.

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suspended the monthly employment and unemployment reports for the nation, states, and metropolitan areas as of Oct. 1, 2025.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, Oregon had an average of 29,000 federal government jobs covered by unemployment benefits during the first half of 2025. That accounted for about 1.5% of all jobs in the state.

Looking at annual average wages, jobs on federal government payrolls in Oregon paid nearly $98,500 in 2024. That was 38% higher than the average annual wage for all jobs in Oregon.

In 2024, there were 1,950 federal government jobs in Jackson County with an average annual wage of $87,866 and 304 in jobs in Josephine County with an average annual wage of $83,577.

Federal jobs represented about 2.1% of total payroll jobs and 3.2% of total wages in Jackson County in 2024. In Josephine County, federal government employment accounted for 1.0% of payroll jobs and 1.6% of total wages.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police department reported to Walmart for a shoplifting complaint Thursday evening.

The suspect, Jack Doak, was stopped by loss prevention staff at the 135 NE Terry Lane store after passing all points of sale with over $500 worth of items.

Doak admitted to not having any money to pay for the goods. When officers arrived, they took him into custody. His parole officer requested a detainer.

Officers transported Doak to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on the detainer, and a charge of Second Degree Theft.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were notified of an attempted dine-and-dash Thursday night.

At 8:00 p.m., an employee with Taqueria Mexico at 137 SE H Street told dispatch a man had ordered and eaten over $40 worth of food. He didn't pay and then attempted to leave the restaurant.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Jake Thompson, who stated he didn't have the money to pay for his meal. His parole officer was contacted and advised he be placed on a detainer.

Thompson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for a charge of Third Degree Theft and his Parole Violation Detainer.

 

The Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash at the intersection of US Highway 199 and Midway Avenue Thursday afternoon.

Scene evidence and witness statements indicated the driver of a black Toyota Rav4 attempted to turn left in front of traffic, subsequently causing a blue Toyota Sequoia to crash into the passenger side of the Rav4.

The driver of the Rav4 was transported to the hospital for minor injuries, and was later cited for a dangerous left turn. Both vehicles were towed from the scene

 

Discarded woodstove ash ignited a wood pile and spread through dry grass up to the foundation of a house Thursday afternoon.

Thanks to the tall cinder block foundation, there was minimal flammable content next to the house in the 8600 block of Monument Drive in the North Valley Area. The structure was not damaged.

Rural Metro Fire says this is an early seasonal reminder that current conditions can still allow fires to occur from seemingly routine tasks around the house. Forecasted rainfall should help significantly lower this risk.

Tips for disposal of woodstove ash include using a metal can for collection, then leaving it in the can while it cools down. If unsure when cool, check with your bare hands or fill the can with water.

If dumping ash right away, be sure it is in a gravel, dirt, or paved area free from any flammable materials or vegetation. Do not dispose of ash in a paper bag, cardboard box, or plastic container, and do not leave it next to the house.

 

Following a review of applications and an interview process Thursday, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted in two new Public Works Managers. During their General Discussion in the BCC Conference Room, the commissioners voted 3-0 to give Richard Pike the Engineering, Roads, Operations, and Fleet Manager Position, and Shannon Tok the Administration, Budget, and Accounting Manager Position. The board approved without objection all financial requests from Snell & Wilmer, Options Mental Health, M&M, and Knife River. Two patrol corporal positions with the Sheriff's Office were promoted, and a Public Health WIC Certifier and Human Resources Generalist were approved to fill vacancies in their respective departments. Personnel actions approved were Step Increases for positions in the Community Corrections, District Attorney, Juvenile Justice, Prevention, Public Health, Transit, and Recreation Departments, and the Sheriff's Office.

 

Online Publisher John Oliver Riccio has asked a Josephine County Court Judge to vacate judgments in two libel lawsuits.

The Daily Courier reports Riccio blamed "mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect" for the orders of default and sizable judgements against him in two civil lawsuits brought by local politicians totaling over $500,000.

Riccio said he believed he had properly participated as a defendant after Commissioner Chris Barnett and former County Commissioner John West sued him in October and November 2024.

Both politicians sued Riccio for false publication, libel, and tortious interference. Judge Lauri R. Norman declared Riccio in default in both cases in June 2025, and ruled he would have to pay both West and Barnett's attorney fees and court costs.

Last week, Riccio filed objections to both attorney's fees, saying he hadn't been given the opportunity to contest the fees. He said Barnett and West had sent service papers to addresses where he didn't live and used an email different from the one he listed in his court pleadings.

Riccio said in his court filing that he has "diligently contacted numerous attorneys across the state of Oregon" to help in his case.

 

Dispatch was notified of a mail theft, prompting a response from Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

A woman called at 9:10 a.m. to report she had photographic evidence and video surveillance of the suspect stealing her mail out of her USPS mailbox. Officers reviewed the footage and identified the suspect as Bobbi Jo Langdon.

That afternoon, officers were able to locate Langdon near the intersection of NE 7th Street and NE "B" Street. Upon contact she admitted to stealing the mail that morning. Her parole officer requested she be put on a parole violation detainer.

Langdon was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Mail Theft and the detainer.