Local News

Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel honored three members of his staff for their roles in the apprehension of a murder suspect in south Grants Pass late last year.

Sheriff Daniel presented Medals of Honor to Deputy Bayard and Corporal Porter and a Medal of Valor to Deputy Wolf during the Josephine County Commissioners meeting this morning.

In a brief recap of the December 2023 incident, the sheriff said Deputy Bayard spotted a vehicle occupied by Kelly Lynn Mason who was wanted for a November 21st homicide in the 1400-block of Rogue River Highway. The deputy followed the suspect vehicle and alerted other law enforcement agencies. Corporal Porter and Deputy Wolf attempted a high-risk traffic stop, but the suspect fled so Porter used a PIT maneuver to disable Mason's vehicle on Redwood Highway at Allen Creek Road. A close-quarters gunfight between the suspect and law enforcement followed, with the suspect being killed. Porter sustained minor injuries in the fight.

The Board held a public hearing for two annexations to the Illinois Valley Fire District. Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger said property owners on Reeves Creek Road in Selma and Rockydale Road in Cave Junction wanted to be included in the local fire district while agreeing to pay taxes and assessments. The Board approved the annexations unanimously, increasing the size of the district by nearly 89 acres.

Under Public Comments, the Commissioners heard from citizens promoting a 4th of July celebration in Grants Pass, a Board candidate regarding the logistics of fire districts, a Master Gardener touting the benefits of the program, a citizen opposed to the charter amendment on the May 21st ballot and another citizen who urged people to vote in the upcoming election.

At the beginning of the public meeting, Josephine County Jail Commander Ed Vincent was recognized for 25 years of service to the community.