Local News

Commissioners Set to Consider Library Annexation Request at Weekly Session
There is only one action item on the agenda for the Josephine County Board of Commissioners for its weekly business session this morning. The Commissioners will hold a public hearing for an annexation to the Josephine Community Library District by petition of the landowner. In this case, it’s a 5.33-acre property on Cloverlawn Drive. The Board will start the session with its monthly recognition of employees. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens in which people are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic related to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 10/9/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
 

OHCS Homeowner Assistance Fund Accepting Final Applications Online Until October 31st
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Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is reopening the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) online application portal to accept final applications directly from homeowners. Applications must be submitted by October 31st. New applications will be put on a wait-list and prioritized for homeowners most at risk of foreclosure or loss. Homeowners can now review application criteria and apply directly online using a link on the HAF website, which is "oregonhomeownerassistance.org." HAF offers federal temporary COVID-19 pandemic relief to help homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. HAF can help them become current on their mortgages, county taxes, homeowners' associations, land sale contracts, secured manufacture home or floating home loans, and lot rent or moorage fees associated with homeowners in manufactured home parks or marinas. Financial hardship includes a reduction in income or an increase in housing costs resulting from the pandemic. Homeowners are eligible to apply if they meet the program's general eligibility criteria and are facing foreclosure, involved in a court case that threatens their home,
Posted on 10/9/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
 

Josephine County Clerk Releases Schedule for Reporting November General Election Results
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The Josephine County Clerk's Office has released its schedule for reporting the results of the November 5th General Election. Unofficial results will be posted on the Josephine County website and the Oregon Secretary of State's website at "results.oregon.gov." The initial results of the General Election will be available shortly after 8 p.m. on November 5th, with a second set of results available by 5 p.m. on November 6th. Subsequent returns will be posted on November 8th, November 13th, November 20th and November 27th -- all by 5 p.m.. The certified results will be posted no later than 5 p.m. on December 2nd. The schedule is subject to change dependent on the receipt of completed ballots. For more information about the November 5th General Election, please visit "josephinecounty.gov."
Posted on 10/9/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh
 

Britt Festival Announces Special Student Discount for Final Concert of 2024 Season
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The Britt Music & Arts Festival has announced a special discount for local students for its final concert of the season. The Britt season typically lasts from June to September, but the 2024 season is wrapping up a little later than usual with the final concert happening on Monday. The October 14th concert features soul sensation Michael Kiwanuka and Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard. As part of Britt's ongoing commitment to make world-class music accessible to all, this offer provides students the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable night of "live" music at a reduced price. Students can save $20 on Reserved, Standing Room Only or Lawn seats. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Britt Main Office in Medford or over the phone at (541)-773-6077 with a valid student ID.
Posted on 10/9/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
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Commissioners Set to Consider Library Annexation Request at Weekly Session
There is only one action item on the agenda for the Josephine County Board of Commissioners for its weekly business session tomorrow morning. The Commissioners will hold a public hearing for an annexation to the Josephine Community Library District by petition of the landowner. In this case, it’s a 5.33-acre property on Cloverlawn Drive. The Board will start the session with its monthly recognition of employees. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens in which people are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic related to Josephine County. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 10/8/24 11:41AM by Sam Marsh
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Josephine County Man Jailed on Felony Warrant after North Valley Police Pursuit
A Josephine County man was jailed on a local felony warrant and he may be facing additional charges after he led a multi-agency pursuit in the North Valley area on Monday afternoon. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and the Oregon State Police troopers arrested 25-year-old Griffan Ian Lucas in a field next to Interstate 5 in the Hugo area at 1:38 p.m. yesterday. Deputies said the incident started with a Monday morning call from a property owner in the 600-block of Oxyoke Road who reported that someone broke into his minivan. A short time later, a caller reported a surveillance camera caught a male subject trying to break into their house and another caller reported that multiple cigarette lighters had been stolen off their back porch in recent weeks. An investigation led deputies to a property in the 700-block of Mossy Oak Drive where Lucas bolted out the back door when they tried to enter the residence. The suspect ran down Mossy Oak to El Conejo and toward I-5 where he was believed to be hunkered down in the brush. The Sheriff's Office brought in a K-9 officer and the Oregon State Police deployed a drone to search for the suspect through the air. After an extensive search of the area, Lucas was located and he struggled with law enforcement as they placed him into custody. Further investigation led police to the suspect's home where he had hidden numerous stolen items including cell phones, iPads and more in a tree house. The items were seized as evidence in the case. Lucas had several cuts from eluding law enforcement, so he was checked out by medics before being lodged in jail on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and for Escape. He is likely facing additional charges from the residential and vehicle burglaries.
Posted on 10/8/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Snared Man for Multiple Crimes after Strange Incident West of Selma
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for multiple crimes after a strange incident on Illinois River Road west of Selma last night. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies contacted and arrested 55-year-old John Christopher Latch on Illinois River Road below the Six Mile Campground on Monday at 8:51 p.m.. Deputies said dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from two women who reported a male subject with a red suitcase and a sleeping mat lying in the middle of Illinois River Road. The man had been there for several hours and he refused to speak to one woman who asked if he was okay. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Latch was wanted on warrants out of the state of Washington -- but authorities there said the warrants were not extraditable. It was also learned that the subject had been flagged as hostile and was known to carry a baseball bat and razors. None of those weapons were found, but the subject was uncooperative and struggled with deputies as they placed him into custody. Latch refused to wear a seatbelt as he was transported to Grants Pass. He was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for three counts of Felony Aggravated Harassment and one count of Disorderly Conduct. Aggravated Harassment usually indicates that a suspect spit on law enforcement.
Posted on 10/8/24 11:20AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Nabbed Felon for Warrant & Weapon Crime after Camping Complaint
Grants Pass Police arrested a local felon on an outstanding warrant and for a weapon crime yesterday while investigating an illegal camping complaint on the east side of the city. The Police Department reports officers contacted and arrested 44-year-old Donn Reeves Fincher on NE Fairview Avenue on Monday at 10:54 a.m.. Police said they received multiple calls about a man and woman who were staying in a green tent in the middle of the sidewalk along Fairview. They contacted both and discovered that Fincher was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession. The woman was not identified. During a consent search, Fincher was found to be in possession of a spring-assisted knife which was seized as evidence. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing any type of weapon. Fincher was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon. His tent and personal belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.
Posted on 10/8/24 11:19AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Arrested Kerby Woman Wanted on Felony Warrant after RR Highway Stop
The Oregon State Police arrested a Kerby woman on a local felony warrant after a weekend traffic stop on Rogue River Highway in Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Toyota Corolla driven by 24-year-old Chamey Cherell Nelson near milepost 1 of Highway 99 on Sunday at 11:48 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped the Toyota because it was associated with a known wanted person. Nelson was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and 1st-Degree Burglary. Once the warrant and Nelson's identity were confirmed, she was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on $100,000 bail. Her vehicle was released to a family member at the scene of the traffic stop.
Posted on 10/8/24 11:18AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Snared Astoria Woman for Causing Traffic Issues near Freeway Rest Area
The Oregon State Police arrested an Astoria woman for causing a weekend traffic problem on northbound Interstate 5 near the Manzanita Rest Area. According to OSP, troopers responded to the disturbance on I-5 in the North Valley area on Saturday at 11:38 p.m.. Troopers said they received multiple calls about a female subject interfering with passing motorists on the freeway by running at vehicles from the shoulder. They said it was fortunate the 49-year-old woman did not cause any wrecks and was not injured. Upon contact with the woman, she was uncooperative and resisted arrest. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.
Posted on 10/8/24 11:16AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Incarcerated Young Man for Shoplifting Incident at Fred Meyer Store
Grants Pass Police arrested a young man for attempting to steal merchandise from Fred Meyer yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the store on the Grants Pass Parkway on Monday shortly after 2 p.m.. Police said 19-year-old Daniel David Deleone took $47 worth of vitamins and deli food from Fred Meyer and bypassed all points of sale with the intent of depriving the business of their property. The suspect made it out of the store and got into a silver Ford hatchback occupied by a woman later identified as "Nikita Holmes." Arriving officers contacted Deleone, placed him into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. Both he and Holmes were trespassed from Fred Meyer.
Posted on 10/8/24 11:15AM by Sam Marsh
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South Carolina Man and Passenger Not Hurt after Car Hit Bear on Interstate 5
A South Carolina man and his passenger escaped injury when their vehicle struck a bear on Interstate 5 in the North Valley area last night. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the mishap in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 63 on Monday at 10:10 p.m.. Troopers said a 32-year-old man from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu when he struck a bear that was on the freeway. They said the driver and his 29-year-old female passenger from Lennon, Michigan, were not hurt. According to OSP, the driver was warned for Violating the Basic Rule which indicates he was driving too fast for the conditions. The man arranged for his own tow through the automobile rental company. No word on the condition of the bear.
Posted on 10/8/24 10:42AM by Sam Marsh
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