Local News

Grants Pass Police were dispatched to an incident at the Red Lion Inn where an intoxicated man was acting aggressively.

A housekeeper from the 1880 NW 6th Street called 911 to report a drunk guest was hitting a door, screaming, and yelling for the cops to be called. He wouldn't leave the scene and was being verbally aggressive with staff and other guests.

The suspect was described as wearing brown shorts, but no shirt or shoes. Officers arrived and identified him as Michael Douthitt. He was trespassed from the inn and removed from the property. Law enforcement provided Douthitt an opportunity to organize accommodations for himself, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

Officers proceeded to take Douthitt into custody on account of his public intoxication, but he resisted. Ankle restraints and a wrap were both applied to him, and he was transported to jail. He was lodged on the lone charge of Resisting Arrest.

 

A man wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant was arrested by Grants Pass Police after he was observed looking around a home with a flashlight.

A call to 911 reported a sedan and pickup truck pulling up in front of the property in the 1700 block of Siebert Way Tuesday around 11:29 p.m. The caller, a neighbor of the residence, said it appeared someone got out of one of the vehicles and was looking around with a flashlight.

Officers contacted and detained the suspect shortly thereafter, identifying him as Jeffrey Kime-Pelt. He was found to be wanted on an active warrant charging him with a Parole Violation, so officers took him into custody.

Kime-Pelt was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant.

 

With national firefighting resources already stretched to their limits, statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. According to the Bureau of Land Management, and with Independence Day Weekend celebrations on the way, officials warn that individuals responsible for starting wildfires face up to $100,000 in fines, 12 months in prison, and liability for all firefighting suppression costs. The following items remain strictly prohibited on all BLM lands in Oregon and Washington: Fireworks and sky lanterns, exploding or metallic targets, tracer or incendiary devices, and steel component ammunition. For more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, visit www.blm.gov/orwafire.

 

Rescue crews from Rural Metro Fire, Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response reported to a rollover crash on Redwood Highway near milepost 15 at Hayes Hill.

Upon arrival, US Forest Service crews from Prospect and Gold Beach, as well as a crew from Table Rock Equipment, were on scene assisting with patient care and traffic control.

The sole occupant of the vehicle was extracted and transported to the hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. Morning commute motorists were temporarily delayed as the scene was processed. OSP and ODOT handled cleanup and investigation.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners began their 9 a.m. Weekly Business Session with a statement regarding a County Code Public Hearing.

Commissioner Ron Smith read the statement, acknowledging that the public hearing second reading of an ordinance amending chapter 2.05 of the Josephine County Code relating to meetings of the board was noticed for July 1st, 2026. The hearing will continue at the next business session July 8th.

During public comment, the community brought topics including the Declaration of Independence reading on the 4th of July, garbage pick-up, opposition toward the potential separation of Firewise from Emergency Management, and a request for acknowledgement of Pride Month.

The board approved the consent calendar, fire season and safety during 4th of July celebrations were highlighted, and then the meeting adjourned.

A County Administration Workshop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, with Human Resources presenting Position Requisitions, Insurance Renewals, and signing authority requests. The board will appoint an Interim HR Director, then adjourn pending other matters.

 

Medford Police officers responded to two unrelated motor vehicle collisions during the early morning hours Tuesday.

Officers were first dispatched at about 2:45 a.m. to a single-vehicle crash on East McAndrews Road near Beatty Street, where a vehicle had struck a power pole. The investigation found the 55-year-old female driver was intoxicated.

She was cited and released to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. The roadway was shut down for an extended period of time while crews worked to clear the roadway and repair damaged utility lines.

About 20 minutes later, officers responded to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash on the Crater Lake Highway overpass above Interstate 5. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Following an investigation, it was determined there was no criminal act on the part of the driver. The roadway was reopened.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is changing jail operations due to the rising costs of providing public safety services.

In a letter to the community from Sheriff Nate Sickler, he writes, "as part of these changes, the Jackson County Jail basement housing unit will close beginning July 1st, reducing the jail's operational capacity from approximately 292 to 230 beds."

The letter continued, saying this decision is the result of a difficult financial reality facing the agency. Jail medical costs alone have doubled to more than $3 million per year, while personnel, equipment, and operational costs continue to rise faster than available funding.

To balance their budget, the agency has reportedly been forced to make difficult decisions about staffing, services, and operations, while remaining committed to protecting and serving the people of Jackson County.

Over the past three years, JCSO has eliminated more than 25 full-time positions. These reductions have now affected the Corrections Bureau, making it difficult to operate the jail without significantly cutting other services. The Sheriff said closing a portion of the jail is the least harmful option to the county long term.

With fewer jail beds available, some individuals arrested for lower-level offenses and subject to immediate mandatory release by Oregon Senate Bill 48 may no longer be lodged in the jail and instead may be cited and released. Budget projections suggest these changes may remain in place for the foreseeable future.

While jail capacity will be reduced, the Sheriff affirmed the office's commitment to protecting Jackson County remains unchanged.

 

The Board of County Commissioners tabled two board orders and approved department business during their 1:30 p.m. workshop.

The first board order regarded the separation of Information Technology and Emergency Management functions, as well as the establishing of separate department director classifications. Commissioner Colene Martin brought up potentially separating Firewise as well. The order was tabled.

Also tabled was an order in the matter of suspending the acceptance of Mineral Exploration Permit and Mining Lease applications. This was placed on the agenda due to current litigation. The board discussed a three-month or yearlong suspension, or a rework of the ordinance. Action must be taken by July 8th.

The board approved a second intergovernmental agreement amendment brought by the Assessor 3-0. The agreement is with the State to provide services to the public as an agent for Department of Consumer and Business Services.

Public Works brought a change order for the Old Fuel Station Decommission process, which has run over the initial contract amount. An increase of $29,810.72 to be added to the contract passed unanimously.

The board then approved the department's payment of a Robco invoice 3-0. Further consideration of a request to make payments for rock needs without the board approval process will take place at a later date. A motion passed 3-0 to in favor of the purchase of Self-Propelled Brooms, and the board approved an Anne G. Basker Auditorium Rental Application.

The board then moved in favor of an interim Human Resources Director, and discussed efficiency initiatives through the use of software tools for County departments.

 

The Josephine County Solid Waste Agency is accepting applications for Funding Requests regarding not-for-profit projects.

Examples of past approved applications include the Wolf Creek Railroad Clean-Up, Josephine Community Library District Asbestos Abatement for the Illinois Valley Branch, Rogue River Clean-up, Earth Day Tire Take-Back Event, and the Illinois Valley Tire Take-Back Event.

Funding Request Applications are available in the City of Grants Pass Public Works Office at 101 NW A Street, Room 205, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

The deadline for submission of a funding request is July 31st. They can be submitted via email to smorgan@grantspassoregon.gov or mailed to the aforementioned address. Call 541-450-6110 for more information.