Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on an outstanding warrant following a late-night weekend traffic stop in the north part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a Chevrolet Cruze driven by 56-year-old Brooke Yvette Thompson in the 1800-block of NE 7th Street on Sunday at 11:19 p.m.. Police said they stopped the car for expired registration tags and discovered that Thompson was wanted on a Central Point Police Department warrant for failing to appear in court for Heroin Possession. She also had no insurance on her car. Thompson was cited to appear in Jackson County Circuit Court on the warrant and the traffic violation before she was released from custody.

 

Grants Pass Police issued three citations and evicted two people from a temporary homeless campsite early yesterday. During a Monday morning check of the A Street resting site, officers contacted Rachel Beeman and cited her for Utilization of Space and Scattering Rubbish. Officers also cited Demetrius Hughes and Clint Palomino for Utilization of Space. Due to repeat violations, Beeman and Hughes were trespassed from the campsite for 30 days.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for injuring another man at a northeast city home before fleeing the scene early yesterday. On Monday at 4:20 a.m., GPPD received a call regarding a male subject being assaulted at a residence on NE D Street near Terry Lane. Police officers responded to the scene and discovered a 28-year-old man with head injuries. The victim was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment and later released. Based on the seriousness of the assault with a dangerous weapon, GPPD detectives responded to assist. They identified the suspect as 31-year-old Jonathan Foulk, a resident of Josephine County. The investigation determined the suspect and victim knew each other. Foulk was observed in a car on Rogue River Highway at 2:34 p.m. yesterday. Police stopped the vehicle and he was arrested without incident. Foulk was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for felony crimes of 1st-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon as well as charges of Menacing and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail. Anyone with further information on this incident is encouraged to contact GPPD detectives at (541)-450-6260.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for assault and drug possession following an incident in the Hugo area last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and state troopers arrested 36-year-old Brian William Domin, Jr., near the corner of Oxyoke and Three Pines roads on Sunday at 9:47 p.m.. Deputies said they had probable cause to arrest Domin for a previous assault case and they learned he was sitting in a blue Toyota Camry near the arrest location. Arriving units used a spotlight to locate the suspect vehicle in a field and they placed him into custody without incident. While being arrested, Domin admitted to being in possession of methamphetamine. After the suspect consented to a search of his car, it was seized for destruction. Domin was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for probable cause of 4th-Degree Assault plus a new charge of Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for felony drug possession after a weekend welfare check in the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers arrested 34-year-old Jacob Neil Woodward in the 100-block of SE K Street on Saturday afternoon. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a male subject passed out in a black Jeep Liberty parked next to River City Grill. The caller told dispatchers the man had been there for more than 40 minutes and he did not look well. Officers located the Jeep parked diagonally across two parking stalls and observed Woodward sleeping with drug paraphernalia in plain sight. They contacted the man and found him to be in possession of about 20 grams of methamphetamine. The meth was seized for evidence and eventual destruction. Woodward was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Possession of Meth. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for becoming violent with her mother at a Williams Highway residence last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 2100-block of Highway 238 on Saturday night. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report her adult daughter has mental issues and when she came home, the daughter was throwing items at her and hitting her. One of the items that struck the woman was a Bible which caused pain but no injuries. The mother wished to press charges against her 57-year-old daughter who was holding the Bible when officers arrived on scene. She denied attacking her mother. Probable cause was established and officers placed the daughter into custody. She was booked into the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment Constituting Domestic Violence and was being held without bail.

 

After 26 years of serving Josephine County, Jail Commander Lieutenant Vincent has been promoted to retirement. Lieutenant Vincent started as a Reserve Deputy and was hired as a Corrections Deputy shortly after that. He spent about four years as a Deputy, Corporal and Sergeant in the adult jail facility. Vincent transferred to Patrol Deputy for 10 years before moving back to Corrections as the Jail Commander. The new Josephine County Jail Commander -- Lieutenant Stubbs -- joined the Josephine County Sheriff's Office in 2019 as a Jail Deputy and earned her way through the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant at the jail. She is the third female Jail Commander in the history of the Sheriff's Office. Sergeant Selby has been a Corrections Deputy since 2018 filling various special assignments. He was promoted to Corporal in 2023 and has now earned the post of Jail Sergeant. Sheriff Dave Daniel congratulates all three on their accomplishments.

 

With spring break here and the summer travel season approaching, the Oregon Health Authority encourages people to make sure they are protected against the measles. OHA officials said getting the MMR vaccine -- for measles, mumps and rubella -- is the most effective tool against the highly contagious virus. Twelve US states -- including California, Texas and New Mexico -- have reported cases of measles since January 1st. While Oregon has no cases so far in 2025, the state reported 31 confirmed cases last year -- the highest measles count in more than 30 years -- during an outbreak among unvaccinated people. Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA's Public Health Division, said "measles is an amazingly contagious virus that unfortunately has re-emerged in our communities, primarily due to a declining percentage of people who are getting vaccinated." Dr. Dawn Nolt, professor of pediatric infectious diseases at OHSU School of Medicine, said the good news is that there is a highly safe and effective vaccine. She said it is the strongest line of defense to keep you, your children and your community safe. Dr. Cieslak said anyone planning travel to countries or states where measles is circulating should get the MMR vaccine before they go. He said it will allow you to start building immunity prior to your trip.

 

In a significant step toward protecting consumers from deceptive ticketing practices, House Bill 3167-3 recently had its public hearing in the Oregon House Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee, bringing forward legislation designed to enhance transparency in the event ticket market. The bill -- championed by Ashland State Representative Pam Marsh -- aims to address longstanding issues related to hidden fees, speculative ticketing and misleading resale practices that have plagued Oregon's arts, entertainment and "live" event industries. Under House Bill 3167-3, ticket sellers will be required to disclose all fees upfront, preventing the frustration of last-minute price increases. The bill also prohibits speculative ticketing where resellers list tickets they do not actually own, and it ensures clearer labeling so buyers understand when they are purchasing from a secondary marketplace. For venues like Britt Music & Arts Festival that host thousands of fans each year, the passage of HB 3167-3 is a major step in ensuring fair ticketing practices. Britt President and CEO Abby McKee said deceptive resale tactics not only confuse consumers but also damage the relationship between venues, artists and audiences.