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Board of Commissioners Schedule Evening WBS, Vacancy Appointment Meeting

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will meet for a 5:30 p.m. Weekly Business Session and an Appointment for Commissioner Position 1 meeting Wednesday.

Interviews and an Appointment for the vacancy are on the agenda for the 10 a.m. meeting in the BCC Conference Room.

For their Weekly Business Session the board will hold a public hearing in the Matter of Annexations to the Josephine County Community Library District by Petition of Landowner without Election.

Requests and Comments from the public will follow, then the board will consider approval of the consent calendar. Pending other matters, the meeting will adjourn.

The session will be held in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. Both meetings will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those wishing to attend in person must comply with the clear bag policy.

Posted on 1/13/26 6:26AM by Alex Bauer

GP Woman Filed Wrongful Imprisonment Suit against Governor Kotek

Grants Pass resident Terri Lee Brown is seeking justice after a wrongful imprisonment.

According to KDRV, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled she was wrongfully returned to prison, and now she is filing a $10 million lawsuit against Gov. Tina Kotek for damages.

Brown was initially released from prison in December 2020, eight months early, as part of a COVID-19 effort to reduce the prison population. She was serving a five year sentence for mail theft and drug possession.

Her attorney, Benjamin Haile, highlighted that hundreds of others were released under similar circumstances. After her release, Brown was rearrested twice for parole violations. However, by 2023, she had completed her post-release supervision.

Haile also said that by the time she was re-arrested, the sentence she was serving would have already ended. A year later, Haile said Gov. Kotek revoked multiple releases made by previous governors, leading to Brown's rearrest.

During the three years after her initial release, Brown had rebuilt her life, starting new jobs, regaining custody of her children, and attending school. Haile criticized the governor's actions, stating Brown was given no hearing, no court dates and no new charges.

After spending 80 days in prison, Brown was released and is now seeking compensation for the trauma and financial losses she endured.

Brown and Haile also listed District Attorney Kevin Barton; the Executive Director of the Board of Parole, Dylan Arthur; and officials at the Grants Pass Police Department; as well as other defendants in the suit.

Posted on 1/13/26 5:37AM by Alex Bauer

CoPA Applications Now Being Accepted

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Committee on Public Art (CoPA) due to a term expiration.

This is a three-year position. CoPA works to engage the community and enrich public spaces by placing original artwork, creating a unique sense of place, enjoyment, and pride for all.

This committee also provides the Grants Pass City Council with information about public art, creates opportunities for the placement of art in public locations, and promotes collaboration between city departments, artists, architects, developers, and property owners.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A St., or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. February 6th, and will be reviewed on February 10th. City Council will make the appointment at their March 4th meeting.

Posted on 1/13/26 5:01AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Suspect Wanted on Three Warrants at Resting Site 6 South

A man wanted on three warrants was arrested at Resting Site 6 South Sunday afternoon.

Grants Pass Police contacted Ian Hogue at the 704 NW 6th Street site knowing he was wanted on the warrants. All three charged him with Possession of Methamphetamine.

After the warrants were cleared, Hogue was taken into custody. He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/12/26 12:32PM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Arrested on Multiple Charges after River City Grill Crime Spree

A man smashed the front door of River City Grill and proceeded to commit multiple crimes inside Sunday morning.

The suspect, Xander Strow, used a rock to break into the right hand door entryway into the 150 SE K Street restaurant. While inside, he stole food and drink, defecated and urinated in the office, and unlawfully remained inside.

A witness with Metro Protection, who was reporting to officers about the broken door at 6:20 a.m., contacted Strow, who then fled the scene. The caller followed on foot and reported Strow was heading east towards People's Bank. He was soon detained.

Officers charged Strow with Second Degree Burglary, Second and Third Degree Criminal Mischief, Third Degree Theft, Escape in the Third Degree, and a Parole Officer Detainer.

Strow was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. The interior of the restaurant was cleared by K9 units, and video footage of the incident confirmed Strow was the only suspect. Damage to the door was estimated at about $600.

Posted on 1/12/26 11:51AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Pulled Over, Arrested Suspect without License, Insurance for Assault Warrant

Grants Pass Police pulled over a red Sedan Sunday evening and arrested the driver on a Sheriff's Office warrant.

Ramiro Hernandez-Maldonado Jr. was stopped for failure to signal during a lane change at the corner of Union Avenue and Williams Highway. He initially provided an incorrect spelling of his name and reportedly acted like he did not know what state his vehicle or identification was from.

Officers found Hernandez-Maldonado Jr. did not have a valid driver's license or insurance. They also learned he was wanted on a felony warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for Assaulting Law Enforcement.

Hernandez-Maldonado Jr.'s vehicle was impounded, his belongings were given to jail staff, and he was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/12/26 11:33AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Conducted Traffic Stops, Arrested Drivers with Outstanding Warrants

Oregon State Police troopers conducted two traffic stops Saturday, leading to the arrest of two suspects wanted on outstanding warrants.

At 5:42 p.m., troopers stopped a Jeep Grand Cherokee for traffic violations on U.S. Highway 199 at milepost 15. The driver, Miguel Bronze, 32, of Medford, was found to be wanted on a bench warrant for Property Damage.

He was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail. His vehicle was towed from the scene, and his dog was transported to the Josephine County Animal Shelter.

Then at 10:52 p.m., the driver of a silver Toyota Avalon, Jerit Hartford, 47, of Grants Pass, was pulled over for traffic violations at the corner of Fruitdale Road and Gaffney Way.

Upon contact, troopers found Hartford to be wanted on a warrant. Following verbal confirmation of the warrant, Hartford was placed under arrest. He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his arrest warrant.

Posted on 1/12/26 10:58AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Apprehended Suspect on Del Norte County Warrant

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded to Sushi Asian Cuisine late Sunday night and arrested a suspect on an Out-of-County Warrant.

At 11:38 p.m., deputies contacted Daniel Zumwalde at the 406 S Redwood Highway restaurant and found he was wanted on an extraditable Del Norte County Traffic Warrant.

Zumwalde was taken into custody by deputies. After his warrant was confirmed, he was transported to the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 1/12/26 10:43AM by Alex Bauer

Super 8 Employee Reports Previous Trespasser, Suspect Arrested by GP Police

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a trespassing at the 1949 NE 7th Street Super 8 Motel.

On Saturday at 2:44 p.m., an employee of the motel reported James Atto, having been trespassed the day prior, had returned and was smoking in the gazebo area. The employee wanted to pursue charges.

Officers were notified Atto had walked from the Super 8 and was headed towards Quality Inn. Upon arrival, law enforcement took Atto into custody.

He was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and was again advised that he was not allowed on the Super 8 property.

Posted on 1/12/26 10:36AM by Alex Bauer

County Workshop to Cover Community Justice, Human Resources, Board Business

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will meet for their Administration Workshop Tuesday for Department and Board Business.

The board will hear requests from Community Justice regarding a Boys and Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley Grant Agreement and an Out of State Travel Request.

Human Resources will present the board with Personnel Requisitions and Actions, then the Commissioners will consider approval of the Watts and Topping Subdivision Plat Map, and Anne G. Basker Auditorium Rental Applications.

Tuesday's County Administration Workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 1/12/26 5:53AM by Alex Bauer

Temporary Board Meeting Cancelled Until Recall Election Certification

Today's meeting of the Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers has been cancelled. In a statement from Josephine County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks, he says, "Pursuant to state law, the Josephine County Clerk is still tabulating the results of the January 6, 2026, recall election. The election result remains unofficial until the election is certified. The Clerk is eligible to participate in the Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers only after certifying the election, which can occur on January 28, 2026, at the soonest. The Josephine County Charter requires the inclusion of the Clerk as a member of the Temporary Board. To comply with that requirement, the January 12, 2026, meeting of the Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers has been canceled. The meeting will be scheduled for a date and time following the certification of the election."

Posted on 1/12/26 5:43AM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire District, AMR, JoCo Sheriff's Office Respond to Two Weekend Accidents

Emergency crews responded to two vehicle incidents over the weekend.

On January 10th, a traffic accident involving a single vehicle occurred at the intersection of Caves Highway and Holland Loop Road in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene around 11:36 p.m.

No injuries were reported, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is conducting the investigation into the incident.

Then, on January 11th, at 5:39 am, a traffic accident occurred on Caves Highway at Chapman Creek Road.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to the reported incident in Cave Junction.

Upon arrival, responders found a vehicle in a ditch. The occupants had independently arranged for towing services. No injuries were reported.

Posted on 1/12/26 5:31AM by Alex Bauer

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