Local News

A federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging a Medford man with possessing nine firearms while being a convicted felon, possessing unregistered firearms silencers, and possessing an unregistered destructive device. Michael Scott Beugli, 32, appeared in court Monday to be arraigned on a superseding indictment and to seek release. Beugli pleaded not guilty and was detained pending trial. According to court documents, on February 24, 2026, a witness saw Beugli throwing firearms out of his residence. Beugli is a convicted felon not allowed to possess firearms. He fled the premises, and law enforcement located nine guns and additional homemade silencers at Beugli’s residence. About a month after this incident, Beugli sent threatening messages to the witness. On March 25, 2026, ATF responded to an explosive device detonating in a car at the witness’s residence. Beugli was located nearby in a home with similar devices and explosive materials. He had not registered any silencers or destructive devices with ATF as required by law.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department lodged a man for Theft following an incident at a Pinnacle 365.

Dispatch learned the suspect had taken items from the 1995 NE 6th Street store valuing up to $20 Sunday around 9:35 a.m. The caller described the suspect as having "crazy hair", and wearing a brown long sleeve shirt with tan pants.

He had been disruptive in the store, and left the scene before the items could be recovered. Upon arrival, officers identified Kody Lewis as the suspect. He admitted to the theft, so he was taken into custody.

Officers trespassed him from the store by request of the caller. Lewis was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on a Third Degree Theft charge. Due to a lack of jail resources, he was later released.

 

Grants Pass Police lodged two suspects involved in a physical disturbance during a protest event outside the Anne G. Basker Auditorium last week. Officers were dispatched shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a physical disturbance in the 600 block of 6th Street. It was reported that individuals were physically fighting in the street. Officers found that two adult males had been involved in an altercation. Statements from the involved parties and witnesses were inconsistent however. A citizen video showing a portion of the incident was circulated online and reviewed by officers. Knowing that additional videos might exist that captured the full altercation, no arrests were made that day pending a thorough investigation. After obtaining and reviewing additional video evidence, officers were able to assess the entire incident. Based on the review, probable cause was established for the arrest of both men on charges of Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.

 

City Council voted to continue with the current payment plan following a Police Headquarters refinance presentation.

Previously, Council authorized a Full Faith and Credit Financing for the Public Safety Building, with property tax dollars covering expenses. The spending of up to 19.2% of the General Fund balance was authorized for Fiscal Year 2027.

With the continuation of the current contract, the General Fund would only pay about $507,000 of the larger balloon payments. The Equipment Replacement Fund would give the General Fund a loan for the difference in each of the upcoming three years. With Council's decision, inter-loan funds will be used for the remaining three years.

The workshop began at 11:45 a.m. with an informational presentation for Level of Service, plus General Fund Balance and Stabilization. Council would set the policy outcomes, while staff would deliver the methods, translating the outcomes into costed options.

Following the presentation, staff will provide links to pave audits for Council, and provide memos of both the cost breakdown for the general fund, and benchmarks for service and efficiency.

A Committee on Public Art motion recommending Council support using available funds for art on a Water Treatment Plant tank was tabled for future discussion.

 

During the Labor Day Races, the Rogue River will be closed Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Baker Park to Griffin Park.

All spectators will remain off the water until the races are over. All spectators will remain 50 feet from the waterway at all times.

Movement on the water is restricted to Law Enforcement, Rescue personnel and Authorized Race Officials during the closures. Private boats are not allowed to assist with crash or rescue operations for safety reasons.

Boats can be anchored on the shoreline if it is deemed safe by Race Officials and Law Enforcement. All users shall be off the water and in an approved area one hour prior to the start of the race. Any unauthorized boats on the water during the closure may be cited for Reckless or Unsafe Operation and are subject to a $440 fine.

Law Enforcement will be patrolling the waterways during the race events. Please Contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (541) 474-5123 if you have any questions regarding the river closures.

 

Today at 11:19 a.m., Oregon State Police issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. According to OSP, the alert was on a report of an 8-month-old infant abducted by a non-custodial parent from a residence in the 32,000 block of Redwood Highway in Josephine County. The infant was abducted following a domestic violence incident at the location and the suspect was known to be armed. At 11:27 a.m., Oregon State Police was notified by Josephine County that a suspect and infant had been located. The suspect was taken into custody, and the child was safely recovered unharmed. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency and the appropriate contact for additional information about the incident.

 

Grants Pass Police trespassed three individuals from 900 E Park Street Sunday, with one of them being arrested on a detainer and Trespass charge.

Officers contacted one suspect on the property during an area check. Michael Johnson admitted to police that he had been previously trespassed from the area Wednesday the 26th during another encounter with law enforcement.

Two other individuals at the scene were issued verbal trespass warnings. Johnson was trespassed, but also arrested on a Parole Violation detainer, and Second Degree Criminal Trespass charge. He left his belongings in the care of one of the other individuals, and was transported to jail for lodging.

 

An Amber Alert out of Josephine County has been issued. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the alert was requested for Kaydence Patterson. The suspect, James Patterson, is driving a silver 2006 Infinity M 30 with license plate number OEO422. He is described as 5'10" with a thin build, brown hair, and an unknown clothing description. 8-month-old Kaydence was taken from 32,429 Redwood Highway today at 12 a.m. If anyone has seen the vehicle, or has information, call 911, or 1-866-526-2375.

 

A disturbance in the Walmart parking lot led Grants Pass Police to arrest one man trying to open multiple vehicles.

A 911 caller reported the suspect wearing a gray jacket and black hat riding on a multi-colored bike Sunday around 7:05 p.m. He had been attempting access into vehicles in the 135 NE Terry Lane parking lot, setting off alarms in the process.

No vehicles were successfully broken into according to the witness, and dispatch learned the suspect was possibly heading towards Grocery Outlet. Officers contacted the suspect, Donn Fincher, around 7:12 p.m.

He was taken into custody, and transported to jail where he was lodged for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.