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Deputies Arrested Three Boys for Leading Them on Pursuit in SW Grants Pass

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two young men and a juvenile for leading deputies on a pursuit in the Redwood and Jerome Prairie areas last night. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies encountered the three boys riding small motorcycles in the area of Redwood Avenue and Blake Court on Tuesday shortly before 8 p.m.. None of the bikes was street legal and a traffic stop was initiated. Two 18-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy refused to yield and sped away, leading deputies out Dowell Road across Redwood Highway to Arnold Avenue and Sand Creek Road. The two older boys were detained on Sand Creek near Jerome Prairie Road, but the younger boy continued to flee until he was found on Kellenbeck Avenue near Redwood Avenue. All three young suspects were charged with Felony Attempt to Elude Police. The older boys were lodged in jail while the younger boy was taken to the Juvenile Justice Center. All three motorbikes were impounded.

Posted on 4/30/25 11:15AM by Sam Marsh

Domestic Violence and Vehicle Theft Suspect Collared after Eluding Authorities

Three law enforcement agencies worked together to apprehend a domestic violence and vehicle theft suspect during a chase in southern Jackson County. On Monday afternoon, the Medford Police Department responded to a reported disturbance at Jackson County Community Justice on West Main Street. Officers learned that a male suspect identified as 47-year-old Alfred Mabrier had allegedly stolen a black Honda Civic from a female acquaintance following a domestic disturbance and fled the scene recklessly, causing multiple hit-and-run accidents. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office located the stolen vehicle traveling south on South Pacific Highway in south Medford and attempted a traffic stop. Mabrier eluded a deputy at high speeds while driving dangerously through south Medford, Phoenix, Talent and into Ashland where he rear-ended another vehicle and continued to flee. Mabrier's reckless driving ended in a crash at the intersection of Main and Maple streets in Ashland. He fled on foot, but was quickly captured by deputies and Ashland police officers. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and medically cleared for custody. Mabrier faces multiple charges from MPD and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. He was lodged in jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Endangering, 4th-Degree Domestic Assault, Domestic Harassment, 1st-Degree Theft, 3rd-Degree Robbery, Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage and Disorderly Conduct plus a Felony Probation Detainer. The Sheriff's Office added a charge of Resisting Arrest. MPD Lieutenant Geoff Kirkpatrick commended the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies for safely apprehending the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:46AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Jailed Male Suspect for Tuesday Assault of Woman with Car

The Grants Pass Police Department jailed a male suspect for intentionally using his vehicle to seriously injure a woman in a shopping center parking lot yesterday. On Tuesday at about 1:20 p.m., numerous calls were received by the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center regarding a car hitting a woman in the parking lot of Albertson's in the Allen Creek Shopping Center. GPPD expedited its response to the incident with the Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response. The victim was rushed to Three Rivers Medical Center where she was listed in serious but stable condition. The male driver -- identified as 38-year-old Derek Laland Daniels -- was detained as a criminal investigation was initiated. In addition to striking and injuring the woman, the suspect also hit two parked cars. The Grants Pass Major Crimes Team was activated to assist in the investigation. At approximately 4:34 p.m., Daniels was arrested. He was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 2nd-Degree Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Reckless Driving.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Frequent Flyer for Causing Dangerous Disturbance on Ringuette

Grants Pass Police jailed a well-known criminal offender for multiple crimes after she caused a dangerous disturbance in the south part of the city this week. The Police Department reports officers deployed a Taser multiple times in order to subdue and arrest 32-year-old Whitney Ann Word in the 1200-block of Plummer Avenue on Monday evening. Police said Word was the subject of multiple complaints of a woman walking down the middle of Ringuette Street and forcing vehicles to go around her. She was actively impeding traffic and displaying signs consistent with narcotics use when they arrived on scene. Officers established probable cause to arrest Word, but she fled on foot and began attempting to enter several occupied vehicles while placing civilians at serious risk. The suspect failed to comply with lawful commands, so officers deployed a Taser three times with no effect. Two additional probes were deployed which achieved neuromuscular incapacitation and she was placed into custody. Word was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Attempted Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Escape. She was being held without bail. The Oregon State Police reported taking Word to Three Rivers Medical Center earlier in the day after she was obstructing traffic in the East Jones Creek area.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:43AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Woman on Statewide Warrant after Tussing Park Disturbance

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on a statewide felony warrant this week after she caused a disturbance at a city park. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident involving 39-year-old Ciera Michelle Lokken at Reinhart Volunteer Park around midday Monday. Police said Lokken was initially reported to be yelling and acting disorderly at Tussing Park before she crossed the pedestrian-bicycle bridge to the All Sports Park where she was contacted. She was found to be wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for an unspecified weapons offense. Lokken was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Her property -- including a bicycle -- was logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:42AM by Sam Marsh

Jackson County Sheriff Gets New Drug Detection Dog for Medford Jail Facility

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office KP Team has a new best friend -- K9 Brooks, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. K9 Brooks works in the Jackson County Jail as a narcotics detection dog. At the jail, Brooks is used for daily cell searches where he looks for hidden contraband and drugs smuggled in packages. During his first few weeks on the job, he found trace amounts of fentanyl leading to a drug smuggler. Although the Belgian Malinois breed can often be intimidating, his partner Corrections Deputy Jenna Evertt describes K9 Brooks as very loving and goofy. Evertt said because of his mild temperament, Brooks is also great for public events. K9 Brooks was acquired from Rogue K9, a local police K9 vendor run by a retired K9 officer.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Southwest Urges Residents to Check Burn Piles & Barrels in Warm Weather

If you've recently burned debris in piles or a burn barrel, now is a good time to check it again. The Oregon Department of Forestry says old burns can easily reignite in warm and windy weather -- even days to months later. During our warm forecast this week, check your pile or barrel with the back of your hand and feel for any heat. You can even hose it down again for good measure. Every spring, ODF Southwest responds to debris burns that flare up in warm weather and spread in Josephine and Jackson counties. Help ODF prevent spring fires by checking your burn today.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:39AM by Sam Marsh

US TSA and OR DMV Officials Highlight May 7th REAL ID Enforcement Deadline

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) are reminding the public that starting Wednesday, May 7th, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license, instruction permit or identification card or another acceptable form of ID to board a US commercial aircraft. To determine if an Oregon driver's license or identification card is REAL ID-complaint, look for a star in the upper right corner. The presence of the star indicates the credential is REAL ID-compliant. Once enforcement begins, travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued credential or another acceptable form of ID can expect delays when they arrive at the TSA security checkpoint. The length of the delay will be determined by the number of other travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant credential or another form of identification accepted by TSA for identity verification. Passengers can avoid delays in their air travel by ensuring their identification credential is REAL ID-compliant or be prepared to present another acceptable form of ID. TSA has a full list of acceptable forms of identification beyond a state-issued driver's license or ID card that can be presented at the security checkpoint.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:30AM by Sam Marsh

Oregonians Reach $2 Million Milestone Saving for Higher Education through Recycling

In recognition of Earth Day, the Oregon College Savings Plan and BottleDrop are pleased to announce that Oregonians have now saved $2 million for future higher education expenses through the convenient redemption of bottles and cans. Since the program's launch in November 2019, nearly 7,000 Oregon families have used bottle collection funds to build college savings. This first-in-the nation program gives Oregonians the opportunity to leverage their commitment to environmental stewardship to support pathways to higher education. The program offers a convenient way for individuals and families across the state to transform their Oregon Bottle Bill container refunds into valuable savings for higher education. Participants can easily establish automatic transfers from their BottleDrop account into one or more Oregon College Savings Plan accounts. To date, this collaboration has facilitated the recycling of a remarkable 20 million beverage containers, directly contributing to the educational savings of thousands of Oregon families. BottleDrop account holders enjoy the flexibility to save for their own education, the education of their children or grandchildren, or even contribute as a gift to any Oregon College Savings Plan (OCSP) account.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:28AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Prescribed Fire Project Planned to Further Mitigation Efforts near Butte Falls

The Oregon Department of Forestry is planning a two-day prescribed fire project with the town of Butte Falls to further hazard fuel mitigation efforts in the area. The project is scheduled to take place today and Thursday, with the burns starting in the morning and lasting into the afternoon both days, pending smoke potential and weather condition approvals. ODF plans to conduct the burns off West Hukill Creek -- located west of Butte Falls -- completing approximately 70 acres of fuel mitigation with the assistance of Grayback Forestry. This project is part of Butte Falls' Community Forest Project. Following the devastating 2020 wildfires, the town purchased 430 acres of adjacent forestland with numerous goals in mind including wildfire mitigation. Since then, ODF has provided assistance including fuel reduction efforts and pile burning last spring. If conditions are favorable for the burns to take place, light smoke may be visible in the air in and around the Rogue Valley. Additional rain in the forecast on Friday and Saturday will naturally help to clear out any remaining smoke.

Posted on 4/30/25 6:19AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Frequent Flyer for Causing Dangerous Disturbance on Ringuette

Grants Pass Police jailed a well-known criminal offender for multiple crimes after she caused a dangerous disturbance in the south part of the city late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers deployed a Taser multiple times in order to subdue and arrest 32-year-old Whitney Ann Word in the 1200-block of Plummer Avenue on Monday at 6:08 p.m.. Police said Word was the subject of multiple complaints of a woman walking down the middle of Ringuette Street and forcing vehicles to go around her. She was actively impeding traffic and displaying signs consistent with narcotics use when they arrived on scene. Officers established probable cause to arrest Word, but she fled on foot and began attempting to enter several occupied vehicles while placing civilians at serious risk. The suspect failed to comply with lawful commands, so officers deployed a Taser three times with no effect. Two additional probes were deployed which achieved neuromuscular incapacitation and she was placed into custody. Word was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Attempted Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Escape. She was being held without bail. The Oregon State Police reported taking Word to Three Rivers Medical Center earlier in the day after she was obstructing traffic in the East Jones Creek area.

Posted on 4/29/25 10:37AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Woman on Statewide Warrant after Tussing Park Disturbance

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on a statewide felony warrant yesterday after she caused a disturbance at a city park. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident involving 39-year-old Ciera Michelle Lokken at Reinhart Volunteer Park on Monday around 1 p.m.. Police said Lokken was initially reported to be yelling and acting disorderly at Tussing Park before she crossed the pedestrian-bicycle bridge to the All Sports Park where she was contacted. She was found to be wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for an unspecified weapons offense. Lokken was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Her property -- including a bicycle -- was logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 4/29/25 10:36AM by Sam Marsh

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