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CJ Teenager Missing for One Month Found at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland

A 15-year-old Cave Junction boy who had been missing for about a month since he ran away from a secure residential program during a trip to the Portland zoo was found Tuesday in Pioneer Courthouse Square, according to his mother and police. The Oregonian reports Heather Smith and relatives have been in Portland the last week looking for the teen, William Herren. A tip from a homeless youth led the family to the city's downtown about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, she said. They also called Portland police, who took the boy into custody on a warrant, alleging a violation of his juvenile probation. According to Portland police spokesperson Mike Benner, police had responded to an alleged stabbing at the square but it was a false report and officers instead located the teen and his family. Herren had been placed in a Multnomah County Department of Community Justice's Behavior Rehabilitative Services program after spending three months in juvenile detention in Portland for an alleged burglary and vandalism in his hometown. During a trip with the program to the Oregon Zoo, he fled on September 23rd and was reported missing to police that day. The county's program was intended to provide more "structure, stabilization and treatment" in a "staff-secured, out-of-home placement," according to a county website. His mother said her son was crying but safe.

Posted on 10/23/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

Jo Co Assessor's Office Issues Additional Information on New Property Tax Statements

The Josephine County Assessor's and Treasurer's offices have received a large number of calls from county residents with questions about charges seen in newly received property tax statements. The Assessor's Office is seeking to provide concerned citizens with additional information. Josephine County voters outside the City of Grants Pass passed a measure last November to create a new law enforcement district with a permanent tax rate of 99 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Measure 17-115 passed by a narrow margin of 2%, with 7,619 "yes" votes to 7,320 "no" votes. Since the passage of Measure 50 in 1997, most taxpayers have grown accustomed to seeing an annual 3% increase in assessed value and taxes. This year, the additional 99 cents will increase tax rates outside of Grants Pass by about 12%, which, when added to the normal 3% statutory increase in assessed value, means these taxpayers will see about a 15% year-over-year increase. This increase is incurred even if the property has not experienced new construction, remodeling, subdividing or other improvements. Payments are due by November 15th and can be paid in person, by mail or online.

Posted on 10/23/24 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

US Senator Ron Wyden Holding Thursday Town Hall Meeting at Phoenix High School

US Senator Ron Wyden is holding an open-to-all town hall meeting in Jackson County on Thursday morning. The 10 a.m. town hall at Phoenix High School's Rose Theater at 745 North Rose Street will be Wyden's second this year in Jackson County and 1,101st overall -- honoring his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. Doors will open 30 minutes before the town hall for attendees. Today, Senator Wyden is scheduled to tour Mercy Flights and meet with its leadership as it celebrates 75 years of mobile integrative healthcare services in Southern Oregon. Before the town hall tomorrow, Wyden will join The Children's Museum of Southern Oregon/Ivy School to celebrate a federal grant to expand its Oregon Center for Creative Learning Outdoor School. Wyden said he's honored every time Oregonians show the entire country how to hold open meetings with direct conversations that make our communities and state even better places to live and work.

Posted on 10/23/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

BCC Set to Hold 1st Public Hearing on Proposed Rural Fire Protection District

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold the first public hearing on a proposed rural fire protection district during its business session tomorrow morning. The hearing on the Josephine County Rural Fire Protection District will include findings of fact, approval of the proposed district and setting the date for the final public hearing plus public comments. In other business, the Board will hold three more public hearings designed to purge unnecessary or outdated chapters of the Josephine County Code. They pertain to property forfeiture, golf carts and septic tank sludge disposal. Second readings of the ordinances are tentatively set for November 6th. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens in which people are given three minutes to address the Commissioners on virtually any topic related to Josephine County. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 10/22/24 11:43AM by Sam Marsh

Cave Junction Resident Incarcerated for Threatening Woman with Taser

A Cave Junction woman was jailed last night after she threatened another woman with a Taser. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 33-year-old Meghan Melissa Gomez at a residence in the 500-block of North Old Stage Road on Monday at 8 p.m.. Deputies report a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she and Gomez were watching television together when Gomez started "acting up" and they got into a verbal argument. The caller said the confrontation escalated to the point that Gomez came after her with a Taser. The victim immediately left the scene and went to her home. According to the report, the incident was witnessed by the suspect's mother. Gomez was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/22/24 11:28AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Merlin Man for Hurting Wife during Home Argument

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a Merlin man for hurting his wife during a verbal-turned-physical argument at their home yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 200-block of Gary Lane on Monday around 1:30 p.m.. Deputies said an investigation determined that a 56-year-old male subject and his wife were in their bedroom when the woman attempted to call 9-1-1 based on his screaming and yelling at her. The subject grabbed his wife's leg, which caused her to fall off the bed and sustain an injury to the right side of her face. The wife sustained slight bruising on her face, but she refused medical attention. The husband admitted to drinking alcohol that morning and he was placed into custody. The suspect was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was booked for Attempted 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/22/24 11:26AM by Sam Marsh

Sheriff's Deputies Snared Woman for Bad Behavior at CJ Grocery Outlet

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for her bad behavior at a Cave Junction retailer early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies were alerted to the incident at the Grocery Outlet on South Redwood Highway on Monday shortly before 7 a.m.. Deputies said the Grocery Outlet manager called 9-1-1 to report that 29-year-old Brittney Anne McGuire arrived at the store and became aggressive toward their employees. He advised the woman ripped a sign off the wall and threw it against the window. Further investigation revealed that McGuire was punching the front door and yelling that the store manager "needed to die." She was also throwing items at nearby vehicles. Upon arrival, deputies placed McGuire into custody and transported her to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/22/24 11:24AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman on Five Warrants Upon Release from Hospital

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on five outstanding warrants as she was released from the hospital late last night. The Police Department reports officers placed 40-year-old Erika Ann Vineyard into custody at Three Rivers Medical Center on Monday at 11:05 p.m.. Police said Vineyard was a patient at the hospital for undisclosed reasons and they requested to be contacted when she was ready to be released. Vineyard was wanted on three Jackson County warrants for two counts of failing to appear in court for Probation Violation related to impaired driving arrests and one count of failing to appear in court for Driving While Suspended. She was also wanted on two Medford warrants for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Criminal Suspended Driving. Vineyard was lodged on the warrants at the Josephine County Jail where her bail was set at $115,000.

Posted on 10/22/24 11:23AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Motorist for DUII and More after Hit & Run Crash on I-5

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving and more early yesterday after she struck another vehicle on Interstate 5 in the Sunny Valley area and fled the scene. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 73 on Monday at 8:40 a.m.. Troopers said a 28-year-old woman was driving a Nissan sedan when she struck a Chevrolet Cobalt driven by a 63-year-old man and did not stop. The suspect was located a short time later, pulled over and found to be impaired. According to OSP, there were no injuries reported -- but both vehicles sustained damage. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. She was cited to appear in court and released, but her car was impounded.

Posted on 10/22/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Issued Several Citations at City's Designated Campgrounds

Grants Pass Police issued several citations and trespassed one person during patrol checks at the city's two designated campgrounds early yesterday. At the NE 7th Street campground, four people were cited for violations involving Utilization of Space. It was the second such citation for one woman who was given a 30-day exclusion from the campsite. One man was cited for Marijuana Possession and another man was cited for Scattering Rubbish. One camp was removed as there were numerous syringes and other drug paraphernalia observed inside the tent. No one claimed responsibility. At the SE J Street campground, a man and woman were both cited for violations involving Utilization of Space.

Posted on 10/22/24 11:20AM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Sheriff Seeking Public Help in Locating Two Missing Hunters

UPDATE: MISSING MEN HAVE BEEN LOCATED.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was seeking public assistance in locating two men who had not returned from a weekend hunting trip. The Sheriff's Office reports 71-year-old Donald Pratt and 39-year-old Eric Pratt went hunting in the Illinois Valley early Sunday. Their vehicle was captured on cameras, it is believed they went up Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien and may be near the Sourdough Campground. They are in a white Toyota pickup with a white canopy with Oregon license plate 267 CZH. Donald Pratt is described as a white male adult, 6-feet-tall and 240 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Eric Pratt is described as a white male adult, 6-feet-4-inches tall and 300 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these two men is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123. Please reference Case #24-25041.

Posted on 10/22/24 6:40AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Seek Identity of Burglar Who Broke into Staples Store Early Monday

Authorities are seeking the identity of a burglar who broke into the Staples at the Grants Pass Shopping Center early yesterday. The Grants Pass Police Department reports a lone burglar broke through the store's front window just after 2 a.m. on Monday. Police said the burglar broke into display cabinets and took electronic items before fleeing. The unidentified subject now has numerous brand new electronics. GPPD has video of the incident on its Facebook page. If anyone knows or suspects who this burglar may be, they are encouraged to contact Officer Payne at (541)-450-6260. Please reference Case #24-39341. According to GPPD, teamwork and citizen involvement are key to community policing and public safety.

Posted on 10/22/24 6:38AM by Sam Marsh

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