Local News

Rogue Community College is inviting the community to celebrate the groundbreaking of their new Transportation Technology Centers at the Table Rock and Redwood campuses.

The Table Rock Campus Ceremony will take place Tuesday, May 5th at 3 p.m. at 7800 Pacific Avenue in White City. The ceremony for the Redwood Campus will begin at 10 a.m. May 7th at 3345 Redwood Highway.

These facilities will expand hands-on training opportunities in automotive, diesel and emerging transportation technologies, helping prepare students for high-demand careers and supporting workforce needs in Southern Oregon.

 

Officers with the Medford Police Department responded to a fatal collision involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist Friday, April 10th, at approximately 11:26 a.m. The incident occurred on E McAndrews Road, just east of Poplar Drive. A driver of a delivery vehicle called 911 to report they had struck a bicyclist while exiting a parking lot. Upon arrival, emergency responders found the cyclist trapped beneath the delivery truck. Rescue personnel from Medford Fire and Mercy Flights worked to extricate the individual, who was then transported to a local hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, the cyclist, a 65-year-old Medford resident, later died from their injuries. The name is not being released at this time, and next of kin have been notified. An investigation indicates the delivery truck was exiting a parking lot on the south side of McAndrews Road and was stopped while preparing to turn eastbound. The bicyclist was traveling westbound on the south sidewalk of McAndrews Road.

 

The City Council continued their workshop Monday with the decision to move forward with exploring three potential development locations for a pump track.

Three parks will be considered at a future workshop: Reinhart Volunteer Park, Fruitdale Park, and Beacon Hill Park as the location of a new pump track with an estimated cost around $750K to $1M. Further discussion on the size, scope, and funding of the track will take place as well.

Council was then given a presentation regarding meeting decorum and protocol, with a focus on working effectively together, constructive dialogue, the importance of an acknowledged code of conduct, and a commitment to excellence.

The presentation was intended to reemphasize everyone's participation and preparedness, aiming for workshop and meeting efficiency. Council will further discuss and formulate a draft for a code of conduct to then potentially adopt at a later date.

Also decided was to set a two hour time limit for workshops, with the opportunity to make motions for extensions. Council will proceed with a round table format for questions after presentations.

No action was taken on a Public Safety Advisory Committee motion, and Councilors Seth Benham, Victoria Marshall, and Rob Pell will join City Manager Aaron Cubic for the City Manager Evaluation Review session.

 

The Grants Pass City Council heard updates from local organizations during today's workshop.

SOREDI began the 11:45 a.m. workshop presenting its impacts to the county and Grants Pass, showing over 145 jobs being created by businesses. Other contributions included $991K in loans deployed to local businesses, and $17.3M in private capital investment being facilitated.

The RCC Small Business Development Center's services include Confidential No Cost Advising, and Low Cost Business Classes. In 2025, the SBDC served 580 clients. Starting July 1st, SBDC advising services will continue through the Rogue Valley Outreach Center.

The Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce showed 3,062 in-person visitors and 2,242 phone calls to the Visitor Center. The chamber saw 98 new members with an 88% retention rate, a 95.5% increase in engagement, and goals to expand Lemonade Day, Small Business Health Insurance, and Workforce Development.

The Destination Marketing Organization presentation showed its promotion of attendance to local attractions, and has promoted over 750 local businesses. There was $172.1M in annual visitor spending in the county, with 2,030 jobs supported by tourism in 2025. The city's targeted marketing strategy is reportedly outperforming the state average.

Main Street Grants Pass started the final presentation with a six month outlook, aiming to grow their membership base, engage their four subcommittees, improve communications, and enhance First Friday. Council was presented the Main Street Approach, highlighting Economic Vitality, Design, Organization, and Promotion. An Annual Flat Rate has been introduced in place of tiered memberships, lowering the entry barrier, and 34 members currently comprise Main Street Grants Pass.

 

The Medford Fire Department announced that applications are open for the 2026 Rogue Girls Fire Camp.

The hands-on, overnight camp, taught by a task force of Rogue Valley female firefighters, will teach girls about a potential career in fire service, and give them a comprehensive experience of life inside the fire house.

The camp will be held June 12th through the 14th for young women ages 16 to 20. It's free to join, and the application deadline is May 8th. Spots are limited, and the fire department encourages those interested to apply today.

Learn more and apply at www.roguegirlsfire.org.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man following a disorderly conduct complaint at the railroad crossing on NW Booth Street.

The lights were flashing at the crossing and the bars were down, but one caller reported to dispatch Sunday around 6:14 p.m. that five minutes had passed, and no trains were coming through. Another caller reported a man was yelling and was throwing items at vehicles behind the malfunctioning crossing arms.

Law enforcement responded, and the suspect, Russell Thompson, was observed walking westbound on the tracks. The officer attempted to contact him behind Foundry Village, but Thompson was uncooperative, continuing to walk on the tracks.

He was advised he was under arrest for First Degree Trespass, after which he fled on foot. The officer pursued until Thompson hopped in the passenger side of a running vehicle, locking himself inside. The driver of the vehicle was contacted by officers, and complied with commands to exit the vehicle.

Additional units arrived and pinched the vehicle. Thompson eventually vacated following commands from officers. He was then promptly taken into custody with no further incident.

Officers transported and lodged Thompson in the Josephine County Jail for his criminal trespass charge and Third Degree Escape. The malfunctioning Booth Street railroad signals were fixed.

 

Oregon State Police apprehended a woman wanted on a Methamphetamine Possession warrant following a traffic stop.

Troopers pulled over the suspect driving a white Toyota C-HR Saturday afternoon on U.S. Highway 199 around 5:31 p.m. for observed traffic violations. The driver, Karin Cole, 58, of Washougal, WA, was contacted by troopers and found to have an outstanding warrant.

Her identity and warrant were confirmed, and troopers took Cole into custody. She was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on the warrant. Her vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies lodged a suspect for trespassing following a property check request Sunday afternoon.

The request came in to dispatch at 4:47 p.m., with the caller saying the residence in the 300 block of Majestic Drive was supposed to be empty since his father had been recently transferred out.

The caller told dispatch he was concerned someone might be squatting in the residence, and he gave permission for deputies to enter the residence and check to make sure everything was secure.

Law enforcement arrived to find multiple open doors at the property. The garage door closed shortly after deputies' arrived, alerting them to someone inside. As more units arrived, announcements were made, but the suspect didn't exit the premises.

Deputies then entered the residence and took Cody Bayne into custody. He was charged with First Degree Criminal Trespass, two counts of Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Methamphetamine. Bayne was trespassed from the property, and subsequently lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a Florida man found sleeping on the sidewalk near Los Taquitos Sunday morning on a warrant.

A call to 911 reported the suspect, later identified as Matthew Luna, was seen sleeping in the middle of the sidewalk near the 304 NE Agness Avenue business. The caller reported that she had driven by an hour ago. Upon passing the location again, Luna hadn't moved.

She requested an officer conduct a welfare check on Luna, thinking it was strange that he was blocking the sidewalk. Upon arrival, the officer contacted Luna, who identified himself with his Florida Driver's License.

After running Luna's information through dispatch, the officer earned he had a valid and serviceable warrant for his arrest through the Hendry County Sheriff's Office. The warrant was confirmed, charging Luna with Aggravated Assault with a Weapon.

The officer took Luna into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.