Local News

Nominations are now open for the annual Hunger Hero Awards taking place at Vista 222 this summer.

Hosted by The Josephine County Food Bank, this event recognizes local individuals and organizations working to fight hunger in the county.

According to a release from the food bank, the awards are part of the organization's Shining a Light on Hunger fundraiser. They honor those making a difference in the community by improving access to healthy food and supporting neighbors in need.

Eligible nominees include volunteers, nonprofits, community leaders, and groups dedicated to fighting against food insecurity. Anyone can submit a nomination at www.jocofoodbank.org, with an April 30th deadline.

Winners will be honored at this year's fundraiser taking place June 11th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Vista 222.

 

A recreational vehicle fire occurred Thursday at 2:35 p.m., prompting the immediate action of emergency personnel.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and ODF Southwest Oregon District responded to the scene in the 2300 block of Thompson Creek Road in Selma. Upon arrival, crews found the blaze had subsequently ignited the adjacent brush.

The fire was successfully extinguished and thoroughly mopped up. An investigation is ongoing regarding the incident. About one-hundredth of an acre was affected by the fire.

 

A Grants Pass Police Department School Resource Officer was alerted to possible criminal activity involving a student and adult staff member of Grants Pass High School January 6th. According to a release, due to the severity of the allegations, detectives with the Grants Pass Police took over the investigation the same day. Grants Pass School District 7 has been forthcoming with the investigation and took immediate action to prevent any further contact with students. The staff member is no longer employed with the district. The identity of the victim is being withheld. As a result of the on-going investigation, Terry Green, a 57-year-old male, was taken into custody on March 25th. Green was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Luring a Minor, and Second Degree Encouraging Sex Abuse. There is no evidence at this time that another student was involved. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Grants Pass Police Detectives Unit at 541-450-6260. Parents and students can also submit information anonymously via the Safe Oregon Tip Line by calling or texting 844-472-3367.

 

There's still time to "Say Cheese" and support local restaurants and families in Josephine County.

All through the month of March, 30 participating restaurants have been serving their own unique grilled cheese specials in a friendly competition.

With each specialty sandwich sold, two dollars from every purchase will be donated to the Josephine County Food Bank, equaling four meals for community members in need.

Now until the 31st, the public is encouraged to participate by voting for three categories: The Most Unique, the Most Gourmet, and the Cheesiest grilled cheese. Whichever restaurant sells the most sandwiches at the end of the month, they will earn bragging rights as having the "Best Grilled Cheese in Grants Pass".

 

The Grants Pass City website released its first update for the Parker's Place Village Shelter Site for the month of February.

On November 19th, the Grants Pass City Council voted to award a grant to Elk Island Trading Company for a shelter site with services for unhoused individuals. The agreement with Elk Island requires several monthly updates, with a goal of opening the site June 1st.

According to the February 2026 update, to date, the city has distributed just over $407,640 of the $1,179,000 grant. During the month, the city paid invoices totaling $23,307.50 and issued advances for $33,000 for site excavation and preparation.

The majority of work focused on completing the regulatory review and approval process required for construction and operation of the shelter. This included coordination with the Community Development Department, Building Division, Fire Department, and Public Works.

With the Director’s Decision approving the Emergency Shelter application issued on March 4th, the transition from the review phase to construction prep has begun. The building plans for the sleeping units were initially submitted February 25th, and the civil engineering plans were submitted mid-month. Conex unit procurement and delivery are already underway.

The full February Update is available at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a man trying to get down off of someone's roof Wednesday evening.

A man had knocked on the reporting party's front door in the 300 block of Glen Crest Way. The 911 caller said the person outside the door wanted to be let in. He was reportedly yelling, and telling the caller that there was a man on his roof.

The reporting party told dispatch that he had a pistol laying out on his couch, his property wasn't gated, and all the windows and doors were locked. The man outside knocking reportedly lived in the second house down.

Dispatch was told the caller put the pistol back in a safe, and that the man was still on the roof, under the influence, and trying to get down. He was still attempting to get off the roof as law enforcement began to arrive. Once down, deputies took the suspect, Robert Darcy, into custody.

The reporting party didn't wish to press charges, but Darcy was wanted on a Central Point Police Department warrant for an original charge of Fourth Degree Assault. Law enforcement transported and lodged Darcy in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Following six calls for services, Grants Pass Police arrested a disorderly woman in the Walmart parking lot.

Officers were alerted to the suspect wearing a blue sweater and baggy blue jeans who had been in the 135 NE Terry Lane parking lot for an hour. It was reported she had been looking into cars and wandering in the middle of the parking lanes.

The suspect had also been blocking sidewalks and roadways in the area, and officers were told she was last seen by the Grocery Outlet. She was contacted in between the two stores, and identified as Jessica Knowlton.

Officers arrested Knowlton and charged her with Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. She was subsequently taken to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested suspects at both 6th Street Resting Sites Wednesday during patrol checks.

That morning at 8:15, officers took Ronald Frederico into custody at the 704 NW 6th Street site. He was wanted on a parole violation detainer issued by his parole officer, so he was promptly transported to the Josephine County Jail. However, due to a lack of jail resources, he was released.

According to the police report, after Frederico was arrested, a man was reportedly going up the stairs in the courtyard. He seemed to be hiding, and refused to identify himself to officers before leaving the scene.

That afternoon around 1:57, two suspects were detained after being contacted in a tent in the 714 NW 6th Street site. The two were actively using methamphetamine before being contacted, and officers identified drug items in plain view within both suspect's reach.

The two were detained, and confirmed to be in possession of drug items containing meth residue. Both were issued citations for Meth Possession, and given 30 day trespasses from the site. One of the suspects, Brandon Ginger, was then found to have a warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for his arrest.

While the other suspect was released, Ginger was taken into custody. Officers transported him to the Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged on his Second Degree Theft Warrant.

 

In two separate instances Wednesday morning, officers with Grants Pass Police arrested suspects wanted on two warrants each.

At 10:37 a.m., one suspect, Michael Carrero, was identified at the corner of SW 6th Street and SE M Street. He was taken into custody for two warrants out of the police department both charging him with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

Officers transported Carrero to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Then at 11:08 a.m. William Asbery was recognized at Resting Site 7. Officer knew he had two police department warrants out for his arrest, so he was taken into custody without incident.

Asbery had a drug charge and Unlawful Possession of Meth charge against him. After his identity was confirmed, he was transported and lodged in the County Jail.