Local News

Just after midnight this morning, Rural Metro Fire was alerted to a fire alarm sounding at Hidden Valley High School.

At 12:12 a.m., as the crew made their way towards the Murphy area, they were alerted to a crash in the 8800 block of Williams Hwy.

It was reported as a rollover with injuries and powerlines down. This priority incident prompted the RMF crew to divert to the crash.

Due to the shortened response distance, firefighters arrived on scene of the crash where they observed a vehicle off the road, upside down with flames coming from the engine compartment. One occupant had self-extricated, however one occupant remained inside. The fire was quickly extinguished.

The trapped occupant was declared deceased at the scene. Burn injuries did not appear to be a factor. The other occupant was transported by AMR-Josephine County to a Medford-area hospital. Oregon State Police is investigating the cause of the crash.

Pacific Power worked over night and into today to restore power.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners made quick work of their agenda during the County Administration Workshop this morning. With Commissioner Chris Barnett being excused, Commissioner Andreas Blech asked to have the BOLI decision moved to next week. The District Attorney presented the Victims of Crime Act Grant and CFA Grant renewal requests to help support crime victim self-sufficiency. The board moved the decision to this week's Business Session. The commissioners approved an invoice from both the Clerk and Facilities Departments, as well as the Recreation Departments out-of-state travel request. The Public Works and Forestry Department's vehicle purchase requests were approved, and the board moved 2-0 to sign the United States Forest Service agreement to extend the contract negotiation window. Motions to approve the Information Technology Department invoices for a Geographic Information System Service Software Renewal and Managed Data Detection and Response Software Renewal passed.

 

A Hidden Valley Market shoplifter was apprehended by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies Sunday afternoon.

At 1:12 p.m., the Sheriff's Office was alerted to a suspect stealing food items and propane from the 7200 Williams Highway store. After pushing past employees, the suspect left in a red vehicle.

Deputies tracked down and took the suspect, Apolonio Mendez, into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Third Degree Robbery and Third Degree Theft.

 

Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 140, near milepost 9, in Jackson County early Saturday morning. On November 1, at 3:50 a.m., the preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Ford F350, operated by a juvenile male, 17, of Eagle Point, failed to negotiate a curve, crashed through a guardrail, and rolled into an adjacent creek. The operator of the vehicle, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was declared deceased at the scene. A passenger of the Ford, Mitchel Frank Thorpe, 18, of Eagle Point, was not wearing a seatbelt and was also declared deceased at the scene. Two additional passengers, a male juvenile, 17, of Eagle Point and a female juvenile, 17, of Medford, were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. Impairment and speed are considered the primary factors of the crash.

 

Grants Pass Police conducted a welfare check regarding a possibly impaired man Thursday morning.

Around 11:27 a.m., officers were notified of a man rolling around on the sidewalk in front of the Little Caesars at 1616 Williams Highway.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Kyle Waycott. He displayed indicators of impairment from a suspected narcotic, and his parole officer was contacted. It was determined Waycott had violated his parole and a detainer was requested.

Waycott was subsequently taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the violation detainer and a charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were alerted to a disturbance downtown late Thursday night.

At 11:17 p.m., dispatch could see via cameras that a man in a white long sleeve shirt and jeans was in the middle lane of 6th street in front of Resting Site 6. He was jumping around and sitting in the roadway, was causing public alarm.

Officers contacted the suspect, Juan Baca-Bignall. He appeared to be highly under the influence and was unable to hold a conversation.

After taking Baca-Bignall into custody, he consented to a search of his person. Officers located a glass smoking device with residue and a small coin wallet containing baggies of what tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Baca-Bignall was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession and Disorderly Conduct.

 

Grants Pass Police received a trespassing complaint Thursday morning.

A homeowner in the 300 block of SW K Street called to report he had surveillance footage of a woman ringing the doorbell on his front porch, in spite of having been previously trespassed from the property in September.

The suspect, later identified as Stephanie Johnson, was already in custody at the Josephine County Jail for an unrelated matter. Officers confirmed via the footage her presence at the house on October 26 and 28, 2025.

Johnson was subsequently charged with three counts of Second Degree Trespassing, as well as Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

 

The Grants Pass City Council has the Addressing Homelessness Grant Program on their Monday workshop agenda.

The council will then hear a Workplan third quarter update, a Hillcrest Drive and Beacon Hill surplus property partition update, and a presentation on the Moderate Income Revolving Loan Program.

The council will conclude the workshop with a review of the agenda, then the meeting will adjourn.

The City Council Workshop will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street. It will be livestreamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide next to Interstate 5 in the area of Old Stage Road and Galls Creek Road in rural Gold Hill. The suspect has been taken into custody, and there is no danger to the public. The victim is Steven Jason Worthington, 47, of Shady Cove. Next-of-kin have been notified. Dispatch received multiple calls for an injured person attempting to flag down cars on Southbound I-5 near mile post 42 on Thursday, at 8:01 a.m. JCSO deputies and Fire District 1 Rogue River paramedics arrived on scene and attempted life saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased at 8:36 AM. Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police Department, and the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit responded to assist. Multiple law enforcement units searched the area attempting to locate the suspect and an unknown involved vehicle.