Local News

Grants Pass Police lodged a man for stealing alcohol from a Pinnacle 365 late Tuesday night.

A call to dispatch around 11:56 p.m. reported the suspect had stolen $10 worth of Fireball from the 836 NE A Street location. The incident occurred two minutes prior to the call, but the suspect had left the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Officers learned the suspect was wearing a red rain jacket, black jeans, tan boots, and had scruff on his face. He also left his ID card at the scene, and had reportedly walked toward the high school.

Law enforcement soon located and contacted the suspect, Kyle Waycott, at the Astro Gas station, 324 NE E Street. Officers confirmed his identity, and he admitted to both stealing the alcohol, and leaving behind his identification.

Waycott was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for Third Degree Theft. Jail logs show he was released this morning at 11:08 since no charges were filed by the District Attorney.

 

Rogue Credit Union announced strong financial results for the first quarter of 2026.

Total assets grew at an annualized rate of 8.08% with $4.29 billion in assets. The credit union experienced a return on assets of 1.09%, and continues to grow its membership base, now serving more than 242,000 members throughout Oregon, Idaho and California.

Rogue's equity position remains strong. The credit union closed the quarter with a 10.28% net worth ratio, and received recognition for its workplace culture in early 2026. Oregon Business named Rogue Credit Union one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon, ranking it thirteenth in the Large Business category.

Rogue’s commitment to the community remained a focus during the first quarter, with the credit union presenting the Pear Blossom Festival and supporting the Southern Oregon Polar Plunge.

 

The Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Team, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Medford, Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Police, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and the California Highway Patrol concluded a drug investigation April 10th. The six-week investigation in Oregon and California resulted in the execution of three residential search warrants in Wolf Creek, and one in Corning California. RADE and the DEA identified a drug trafficking organization operating out of Wolf Creek was being supplied with methamphetamine from Corning. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop April 8th on Marshall Clifford De La Garza, 39. He was found to be transporting around 90 pounds of meth to Josephine County. The three residential search warrants executed in Wolf Creek led to the seizure of multiple firearms and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Police arrested Johnny Dean Davis Jr., 43, Daniel Cody Green, 44, and Stephen Ray Higgins, 56.

 

Crews from the Illinois Valley Fire District and Rural Metro Fire Department responded to two vehicle incidents Tuesday.

A traffic accident involving a rollover occurred at 2:14 p.m. in the 9300 block of Holland Loop Road in Cave Junction. The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the incident.

Upon arrival, deputies and fire units conducted a thorough search of the vehicle and the surrounding area, confirming the absence of any involved individuals. Traffic control measures were implemented and maintained until the vehicle was towed from the scene.

That night around 8:52 p.m., a vehicle caught fire after crashing in the 3200 block of Robertson Bridge Road.

Crews from Rural Metro Fire, AMR and the Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. It was found the crash occurred after the driver attempted to flee with firewood from private property nearby.

The driver wasn't injured, and was subsequently charged for driving infractions. The owner of the firewood did not press charges.

 

The Board of Commissioners moved to deny the petition to withdraw from the Josephine Community Library District during today's Weekly Business Session. It was determined to be feasible for the territory, presented by Winnie and Edgar Michael Pelfrey in the petition, to receive services from the Library. The motion to deny the petition passed unanimously. Mr. Pelfrey had formally requested the removal from the Library Taxing District, citing safety concerns regarding a reported homeless presence and Rogue Indivisible meeting at the library. He objected to taxation from services not being used. When asked by Commissioner Gary Richardson if there were any barriers preventing the resident or owner of the property from accessing the library, council for the district said it's surrounded by public roads. He also cited the availability of online library services. Following the public hearing, the community brought topics to the board including ONC Funds, funding the animal shelter, news dissemination, code and DEQ enforcement, political sign placement, and a potential petition to bring the Library District to the voters.

 

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Eagle Point Police Department and the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant Tuesday. Investigators served warrant after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material images were uploaded from the address. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. Law enforcement began their investigation at a residence on Chantrell Court in Eagle Point. Crews received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. Investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined for further evidence of child exploitation. No further details are being released at this time.

 

The Board of County Commissioners approved all department requests during Tuesday's Administration Workshop.

Emergency Management presented a grant extension with Oregon State Community Wildfire Risk Reduction to begin the 1:30 p.m. workshop. The board moved 3-0 to approve the signing of the extension, lasting until December 31st, 2026, in the amount of $240,000.

Both of the Forestry Department's requests, Helena and Manulife/Hancock Forest Management invoices with the purpose of reducing spring and summer competition on the seedlings recently planted, were approved without objection.

The Transit Department brought a Memorandum of Understanding between Josephine County and Curry County Public Transit regarding the transaction for a small transport vehicle to be used in support of the elderly. A motion to ratify the decision made in the memorandum passed unanimously.

Also approved were Transit's requests to purchase 40 radios to replace their current system, and 14 cameras and software improvements for building surveillance in the amount of $24,500.

The Commissioners agreed to sign all personnel requisitions brought by Human Resources, approve an Anne G. Basker rental application, and moved 3-0 to approve Ron Lambs application in the matter of appointment to the Josephine County Law Enforcement Service District Advisory Committee.

 

Oregon State Police made an arrest today in a sex abuse case involving a Grants Pass school support staff member following a grand jury indictment. OSP began an investigation into Highland Elementary School educational assistant Joseph Deley, 64, on February 6, 2026, for potential sexual abuse crimes against a female student. The investigation led to the discovery of three additional female Highland Elementary student victims, during the 2018, 2022, and 2024 school years. The investigation was referred to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office. Deley was indicted April 9th, 2026, on six counts of sexual abuse in the first degree by a Josephine County grand jury, and a warrant was issued for Deley’s arrest. He was arrested this morning, and lodged at the Josephine County Jail without incident. Anyone with additional information is requested to contact the OSP Southern Command Center at 541-664-4600 or by calling *OSP. Reference case number SP26-042392.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider a petition to withdraw property from the Josephine Community Library District Wednesday.

According to a release from the library, the property owners, Winnie and Edgar Michael Pelfrey, have proposed 1349 SW Spruce Street to be withdrawn from the district.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether it is feasible for the territory to receive service from the district. If determined that it is not feasible, the petition will be approved, with a final hearing to be held at a later date.

Wednesday's Weekly Business Session will begin at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. The public is welcome to attend either in person or online at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.