Local News

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced a federal investment of $143,430 for the City of Medford to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower overall energy use. The federal investment is from the US Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. The City of Medford will use this funding to establish a plan baseline for energy use, identify how to reduce consumption and emissions, and develop an equity framework for prioritizing actions and investments while engaging and educating community members. Medford Mayor Randy Sparacino said the funding will help them continue to implement sustainable strategies to improve energy efficiency in the community. He thanked Senators Wyden and Merkley for their "unwavering" support.

 

Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies detained a female Friday afternoon at 5:33 p.m. at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Fielder Lane.No reason was given for the detention in the Sheriff’s log, but an older Datsun was reported off the road. The woman, identified as Dayanna R, Snyder, 32-years-old, was arrested on an Oregon State Parole Board felony warrant and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show Ms. Snyder has been jailed five times since August of 2023. Past charges include attempt to elude police, driving while suspended-misdemeanor, and post-prison sanction

 

A Jackson County Task Force arrest two suspects during a Thursday morning raid in Rural Phoenix.
The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant at a black-market cannabis grow in the 4400 block of Colver Road. Detectives seized approximately 850 illegal marijuana plants, 40 lbs. of processed cannabis, and an assortment of THC and psilocybin mushroom products.There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. Two suspects were arrested on the property and charges are being referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The suspects are Steven Robert Mialocq, 47, and Alyssa Monique Valverde, 34, both of Phoenix. The two are charged with three felony counts each including unlawful possession, distribution, and manufacture of a marijuana item. The Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section will issue a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the responsible party for unauthorized use of a well to water the cannabis crop. This type of water violation is subject to both civil and criminal penalties. During the search warrant, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene and issued a total of $44,000 in fines to the responsible party. Fines were for building code violations, non-permitted electrical installations, and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production. Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies, and Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for allegedly beating up his girlfriend in a downtown neighborhood this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 700-block of SE Riverside Avenue on Thursday. Police said the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center received multiple calls about a man and woman physically fighting at that address. Some callers advised the man was going after the woman with a hatchet, but that was not confirmed. Responding officers contacted the female victim who stated her boyfriend had struck her several times that morning and threatened her. She denied medical treatment for minor injuries, but photos were taken for evidence. A short time later, the 40-year-old male suspect was contacted. He stated the fight had been verbal and that he did not touch his girlfriend. Crimes scene photos of the woman's injuries refuted that claim and he was placed into custody

 

Authorities located a missing and endangered man in the Jacksonville area this week after searching for more than four hours. A Search & Rescue team from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and officers from the Jacksonville Police Department responded to the incident on Thursday. The 71-year-old man had been reported missing around noon near Cottage Street and he was located at 4:34 p.m. in the area of North 5th Street. Jacksonville PD took the original call and requested Search & Rescue personnel to assist. SAR responded with three K9 teams, three bicycle response riders and five ground personnel in hasty vehicles. The K9 trailing team obtained a scent article and followed a possible trail toward the Jacksonville Cemetery. The bicycle team searched the trail system west of the Britt Festival grounds and along Highway 238 while ground personnel searched streets and roads around the missing man's home.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has announced closures on the Rogue River associated with the Don Burnison Cup Hydroplane Race this weekend. During today's practice and tomorrow's race, the Rogue River will be closed in designated areas and during designated times. All spectators will remain off the water until the race is over. All spectators will remain 50 feet from the waterway at all times. Today from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Rogue will be closed from Griffin Park to Finley Bend.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is continuing work on the bridge retrofit project on Rogue River Highway next week and beyond. Starting on Tuesday, Birdseye Creek Bridge on Highway 99 will be closed for approximately 30 days. Please use an alternate route and watch for workers. The contractor has provided a pedestrian transport vehicle that can accommodate at least two ADA passengers, a maximum of 10 able-bodied pedestrians and up to three bicycles with a secured rack during the closure. The ODOT project is replacing bridge structures and Birdseye Creek, Foots Creek and Millers Gulch for earthquake resilience. The estimated project completion date is June 2

 

The Grants Pass Police Department is proud to recognize the recent graduation of Alex Skopinich from the Basic Police Academy in Salem. Skopinich distinguished himself as a squad leader and earned the prestigious Victor G. Atiyeh Award, which is given to the top student in each class as recognition for their outstanding performance and leadership. The Basic Police Academy is 16 weeks long and it provides hands-on training on topics such as community policing, firearms, de-escalation and ethics plus more. It is an achievement to graduate, let alone be judged as the top performer. Officer Skopinich has returned to Grants Pass to begin several months of on-the-job training with seasoned officers.

 

A timber sale that was scheduled for auction this week was recently extended until September 19th. The timber sale is named "Secret" and it's located on the Wild Rivers Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. New Forest Supervisor Molly Juillerat said she decided to extend the auction in order to have additional time for an internal review. She said that will help her make a more informed decision, ensuring the project aligns with forest management goals. The Secret Timber Sale was authorized under the Upper Briggs Final Decision Notice, which was signed in August 2019. It is the fourth timber sale to be implemented under the Upper Briggs Environmental Analysis. The timber sale footprint in approximately 4,017 acres with 329 acres of treatment units that will generate 4.3 million board feet of timber. The sale is in the vicinity of Secret Creek and Secret Valley. The project's primary purpose is to create forest resiliency to fire and other natural disturbances as well as achieving long-term climate change objectives.