Local News

Grants Pass has shut down one homeless camp location and opened another in response to rising crime around the resting sites near City Hall.

According to the Daily Courier, the city recently closed and cleaned a camping site in a parking lot near the corner of 5th and A Streets across from City Hall. Another visible site remains open at the corner of 6th and A Streets.

The new camping area is located just to the north in a parking area along 6th. The changes were made due to rising crime in the patrol area that includes the homeless sites, Police Chief Warren Hensman said this week.

Police regularly patrol the camping areas, respond to calls, and have surveillance cameras in place, but the locations aren't supervised by on-site staff.

During a five-month window that ended November 1, police recorded 5,642 incidents in the quadrant of the city including the camps by City Hall, according to the Citizen Connect crime portal.

That marked an increase of 606 incidents compared to the 5,036 recorded since the last five-month window that ended November 1, 2024.

 

Medford Police arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for multiple arson fires that occurred early this morning in North Medford. At approximately 4 a.m., officers responded to a reported fire at the Jack in the Box located near North Pacific Highway and Table Rock Road. The fire was quickly extinguished, resulting in minimal property damage. Then at around 6 a.m., officers were dispatched to another fire on Lynn Road near North Pacific Highway. Upon arrival, officers found three vehicles fully engulfed in flames, as well as evidence consistent with arson. A drone was immediately deployed to search the surrounding area for additional fires or possible suspects. Another active fire was located at Wild River Brewing on North Pacific Highway. As officers responded to that scene, yet another fire was observed near a residence on Berrydale Road. While checking the area, officers contacted 45-year-old Tina Marie Fonseca, who was seen leaving the vicinity of the latest fire. Fonseca fled on foot but was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. She was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for five counts of First Degree Arson and six counts of Reckless Burning.

 

Grants Pass Police were called out to a welfare check Tuesday afternoon regarding a woman standing in the middle of the road.

At about 4:57 p.m., the woman was reported to be in the 1600 block of Carnahan Drive stumbling in the road. She kept walking back and forth between the caller's and a neighbor's properties.

Upon arrival, officers found the suspect, identified as Jessica Knowlton, still stumbling in the middle of the road. Her parole officer was contacted, who then placed a detainer on her.

Knowlton was taken into custody by officers and lodged on the detainer in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Medford Police Department officers were contacted November 6 by members of the Medford Fire Department regarding a burglary at one of the city’s fire stations.

An unknown suspect had forced entry into secured storage containers and stolen several thousand dollars’ worth of radio equipment.

On November 20, Medford Fire reported a second burglary involving another storage container. Additional radio equipment being stored in preparation for upcoming radio system upgrades was stolen. MPD detectives immediately began investigating both incidents.

On November 24, detectives identified Christian Tommis Jacobson, 33, as a possible suspect. Detectives contacted Jacobson, who ultimately admitted to committing multiple thefts, including several not previously linked to him.

During the investigation, more than $141,000 in stolen radio equipment connected to multiple burglaries was recovered. Detectives also cleared several additional theft cases throughout Jackson County, in which Jacobson is suspected of stealing high-value tools and selling them to local pawn shops.

Jacobson was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on multiple charges, including First Degree Aggravated Theft, Second Degree Burglary, and Theft in the First Degree.

This case has been forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is asking for input on proposed forest management activities near Gold Hill.

The Queens Gold project proposes commercial thinning and hazardous fuels reduction on approximately 4,000 acres of BLM-administered lands. The project is designed to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and to contribute to the Medford District’s timber quotas as mandated by the O&C Act.

The estimated 5.5 million board feet of timber produced by this work will also provide critical supplies for construction, support local jobs and stimulate economic activity.

On December 1, the BLM will open a 36-day public scoping period to receive public input that will help guide the environmental assessment of the project. A public meeting is scheduled for December 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rogue River Library, 412 East Main Street.

 

The Grants Pass Family YMCA is inviting the public to join them for the 12th Annual Turkey Trot.

Check in will begin at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at 1,000 Redwood Avenue. There's a 2 Mile Fun Run or a 5K Race beginning at 8:30 a.m. for the community to participate in.

There will be hot chocolate, coffee, music, and t-shirts for sale. The public is encouraged to dress up for the Ugly Sweater and Costume Contests, with prizes awarded for Best Stroller, Best Animal, Best Group, and Most Unique.

There is still time to register at the YMCA or at www.grantspassymca.org. Call 541-474-0001 for more information.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a suspect following a reported fight early Tuesday morning.

Dispatch was alerted to a disturbance in the 600 block of Cedar Flat Road. At 1:15 a.m., the caller said her son was outside the property being threatening and fighting with her friend.

The possibly physical fight ended, and the caller wasn't sure where the suspect had gone, but she said he was highly intoxicated. She also said she has been trying to obtain a restraining order against her son.

Deputies located the suspect, James Jinks, and took him into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Strangulation, First Degree Animal Abuse, and Fourth Degree Assault.

 

Applications are being accepted for four positions on the Budget Committee.

The City of Grants Pass Budget Committee receives and reviews the Recommended Budget and approves a Budget for the Council’s consideration.

Half of the members are elected officials, and half are applicants from the community at large. The committee representation welcomes divergent views of the community. Qualifiers must be residents and electors of Grants Pass.

Applications are now available at the City Administration Office, 101 NW A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application.

Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. January 2. Candidates will be interviewed by the City Council on Monday, February 2. Appointments will be made at the City Council meeting Wednesday, February 4.

 

The suspect in Sunday's Medford Police Department officer-involved shooting has been released from the hospital and lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

The suspect, Shane Wesley Smith, 30, of Medford, received treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident and has since been cleared for confinement.

Smith is charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Interference with Making a Report, Attempting to Elude Police, Reckless Driving, and DUII. The incident will be presented to the Jackson County Grand Jury.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are leading the investigation. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No additional information is available at this time.