Local News

Rural Metro firefighters broke out their chainsaws last night to remove a tree that had fallen across a road in Sunny Valley. On Tuesday at 7:57 p.m., Rural Metro crews responded to the incident on Placer Road. Crews spent approximately one hour sawing up a tree that had fallen across the roadway. The downed tree had been hit by an motorist, but no one was injured. Rural Metro officials said it was unknown what caused the tree to fall, but Placer Road was temporarily shut down until the obstacle was removed.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Cave Junction man this week for taking a vehicle and gun from his family without their permission. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 20-year-old Joshua James Polk at a home in the 1800-block of Laurel Road around midday Monday. Deputies said one of Polk's siblings called 9-1-1 to report that Polk took their mother's 2008 Ford Excursion without her consent. They said their brother took the keys from her purse early that morning and he does not have permission to drive it. The family called back when Polk returned to their home with the vehicle and they discovered that he had also taken a .45-caliber Hi Point pistol from the residence. Upon arrival, deputies detained Polk and interviewed the rest of the family who wished to press charges. Polk was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and 1st-Degree Theft of a Firearm. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man this week for stealing thousands of dollars' worth of camera equipment from his brother. The Police Department reports officers arrested 28-year-old Jacob Nicolas Mas for the incident at a home in the 800-block NW Pawn Way on Monday night. Police said the homeowner called 9-1-1 to report a theft of $7,900 worth of camera equipment from his garage. The caller said he found out his brother stole the items after his mother texted him and informed him of his sibling's crime. About 90 minutes later, police tracked down Mas and placed him into custody after he admitted taking his brother's property. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft and was being held without bail. It was unclear in the report if the stolen camera equipment was recovered.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested an elderly man this week for punching his wife in the face. According to the Police Department, officers placed the 82-year-old man into custody at Mid Rogue Imaging on NW Hawthorne Avenue on Monday afternoon. Police said an employee at the medical facility told them the woman was treated there earlier in the day after her husband punched her in the face while they were driving in the 2500-block of Merlin Road. They said the victim initially did not want to press charges against her spouse for giving her possible fractures in her bloodied nose. The employee spoke to the victim about her options and tried to encourage her to file charges. Officers also spoke to the victim and gathered enough information to develop probable cause for the arrest. The husband was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. He was being held without bail.

 

A semi-truck driver was injured when he rolled his commercial vehicle off Interstate 5 in Sunny Valley early yesterday. On Tuesday at 2:31 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Oregon State Police were dispatched to the single-vehicle rollover wreck in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 72. Rural Metro officials said the heavily damaged semi was loaded with large paper rolls that had to be off-loaded onto another commercial vehicle. Despite a language barrier, they said rescue crews were able to assess the driver for injuries and arrange for ambulance transport to Three Rivers Medical Center. OSP was investigating the cause of the crash.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners faces a loaded agenda for its final weekly business session in 2024. The Board will open the session with a public hearing on an order for setting new fees for the Community Development Department in 2025. There are several items under Administrative Actions including approval of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Project Plan for 2025-27, a purchase and sale agreement for county-owned property on Caves Camp Road, a personal services contract between Community Corrections and Options for Southern Oregon, and an intergovernmental agreement with the state for treatment funding. In other business, the Board will consider a collective bargaining agreement between Josephine County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees as well as a non-union policy decision. There will also be a personnel policy manual repeal and adoption decision. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Commissioners are expected to approve an order cancelling the business sessions slated for Christmas and New Year's Day. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Sustainability and Energy Action Committee due to a vacancy. This term expires on November 15, 2026. The Sustainability and Energy Action Committee will monitor and report to the City Council on the progress of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) implementation and support the City in achieving its long-term greenhouse gas emission and energy reduction goals. This includes outreach to the community, evaluating feasibility studies and providing recommendations for project advancement. Special qualifications or experience for this position is a solar/energy technology specialist. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. this Friday, December 20th.

 

It appears Josephine County Commissioner John West has been recalled from office by a wide margin. The second ballot count released at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday showed those who wanted West removed from office winning by a 62.61% to 37.39% margin. The unofficial tally was 13,413 people voting "yes" and 8,011 voting "no." The Josephine County Clerk's Office reported a voter turnout of 30.91% on Election Night. Out of 70,443 registered voters, 21,777 had returned ballots. West had sued Josephine County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels and chief petitioner Lily Morgan leading up to the recall election. Henkels said the next recall election update will be posted at 5 p.m. today, followed by updates on December 27th and January 3rd, with the results being certified no later than 5 p.m. on January 13th. Once the recall election is certified, it will be up to incoming Commissioners Chris Barnett and Ron Smith to appoint a third Commissioner to complete the final two years of West's term. Barnett and Smith are scheduled to be sworn into office on Monday, January 6th.

 

Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel has been honored by his peers as one of the best in Oregon. Daniel received the Sheriff of the Year Award earlier this month at the Oregon State Sheriff's Association annual banquet in Bend. With over 28 years of law enforcement experience, Sheriff Daniel has held various roles including Traffic Officer, Patrol Officer, Major Crimes Detective and SWAT Team Instructor. Throughout his tenure, Daniel has earned a reputation for dedication to public safety and leadership, particularly during Josephine County's significant financial challenges including a major budget crisis that impacted law enforcement services. Recognizing the need for stable funding, Daniel committed to securing long-term financial solutions for the department. Sheriff Daniel said he has received an outpouring of support and congratulations since getting the award. He thanked his family, Sheriff's Office employees and citizens of Josephine County for their continued support. Daniel said "serving the citizens of Josephine County is an honor and a privilege."