Local News

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office contacted a vehicle occupied by four individuals, and arrested one for a restraining order violation.

On Tuesday around 2:51 p.m., law enforcement found there was a no trespass letter on file for one of the occupants in the vehicle at the 102 S Hussey Avenue U.S. Postal Service building.

Dispatch ran the letter, and deputies detained Floyd Greenlee III. He also had a restraining order that was still active, so law enforcement took him into custody for the violation.

Greenlee was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the Restraining Order Violation, plus additional charges of First Degree Criminal Mischief, Tampering with Evidence, and Possession of Methamphetamine, and a probation violation.

 

The Board of County Commissioners made unanimous decisions during today's workshop, with more to be considered at future Weekly Business Sessions. Southern Oregon Sanitation's Kerby Transfer Station's potential 20% rate increase, a quitclaim deed for the sale of land at Winona Road, and a fee change request for community development will be decided on during March 11th's evening Weekly Business Session. At their next workshop, the board will consider a renegotiation of the Dimmick Campus property offer and the Finance department's fine-tuned Economic Development Application Process. A petition to withdraw from the Josephine Community Library will be considered at a future business session. During today's workshop, the board approved having the Information Technology department move forward with a Public Information Officer position, and moved unanimously to accept the purchase of property on New Hope Road, a ground lease offer for 1798 SE N Street, and a quitclaim deed execution for the 12,100 Redwood Highway property.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a woman at Resting Site 6 North on a trespassing charge.

Around 4:11 p.m. Monday, law enforcement made two contacts at the 714 NW 6th Street site. One of them, Rachel Beeman, was taken into custody for trespassing at the location.

Before transporting her to the adult jail facility, officers issued a 180 day exclusion from the site for Beeman. She was then lodged for a charge of Second Degree Trespass.

 

The Josephine Community Library is offering Transparent Language Online for Libraries, a comprehensive language-learning platform available free to library cardholders.

A release from the Library says this resource provides unlimited access to more than 110 languages, including English courses designed for speakers of over 30 languages.

Transparent Language Online features include pronunciation practice with speech analysis, grammar lessons, writing activities, and vocabulary-building exercises. The program works on computer desktops or mobile devices through a web browser or mobile app for learning from home or on the go.

The platform also includes Transparent Language Online for Kids. Children can build language skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities and interactive games that reinforce vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension.

Patrons can access Transparent Language Online for Libraries using their library card with no added fees. To learn more and get started, visit josephinelibrary.org,

Library cards for residents who live within the district boundary are paid for through property taxes. No additional fee is required.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man swinging a knife around in a Safeway parking lot Monday night.

A woman called 911 at 7:12 p.m. to report the knife-wielding suspect yelling at someone across the street from the 115 SE 7th Street grocer. He began walking towards the tracks then running towards the man he was yelling at. He was then reported to be heading towards the alley way by Grants Pass Liquor.

Officers soon contacted the suspect, James Hall, and detained him. He consented to a search of his person, and his knife and a glass pipe with residue were found. The pipe field tested positive for presumptive Methamphetamine, and he admitted to having the knife out at the time of the report.

Hall claimed it was in self-defense from the unknown man he was yelling at that he was wielding the knife in the parking lot. Officers contacted Hall's parole officer, who advised a detainer be placed on him.

He was then transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged for Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Meth Possession, and the detainer.

 

A man arrived home from vacation to find someone had been living in his home.

Dispatch was notified by the man that he had been gone for a week, and it was possible squatters had been living in his home during that time. The residence in the 17000 block of Water Gap Road was for sale, and the caller said it looked like someone had broken in.

A deputy with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrived and was given permission by the homeowner to enter the residence and a camper on the property. The door was shut, and the deputy made announcements before entering the home. Nobody was found inside, and while the house was messy, there were no signs of forced entry.

The camper was also cleared and found to be empty. Law enforcement spoke with the man, who stated he believed someone broke into his home. While he had no proof of the residence being entered unlawfully, he wanted to make a report so there would be a paper trail.

The deputy then took the man, identified as Tucker Baskin, into custody. Prior to arriving at the scene, the deputy was informed the homeowner had probable cause for charges of First Degree Burglary and Second Degree Unlawful Use of Mace.

Baskin was taken into custody, transported, and then lodged in jail for his charges.

 

The inaugural cohort of the Rogue Leadership Training Experience is entering its capstone phase and seeking a local nonprofit or community organization to serve as its first community-impact partner.

According to a release from the Chamber of Commerce, the Rogue Leadership Training Experience was created to strengthen the region by investing in people, built on the belief that economic development and community development go hand in hand and that sustainable growth requires leaders who understand both.

Over the past five months, 30 participants have engaged in an intensive curriculum spanning personal, relational, organizational, civic, and community leadership. The program guides participants through monthly sessions, accountability partnerships, and applied leadership challenges designed to translate theory into practical action. Youth participants in the cohort received support through the Rogue Workforce Partnership's Southern Oregon Youth Works program.

As the cohort enters its final three months, participants are turning their attention to the capstone phase. The cohort will serve as an accelerator for an existing nonprofit or community. The selected organization will receive the collective focus and expertise of 30 trained leaders committed to producing measurable, lasting impact in Josephine County.

Nonprofits and community organizations interested in being considered for the capstone partnership are encouraged to apply at www.cohort.unbreakablegp.org.

 

Applications are being accepted for a vacant position on the Urban Tree Advisory Committee, with the term expiring September 30th, 2027.

The purpose of the committee is to review, develop, and implement programs and activities that promote, protect, and enhance the urban forest as a part of the Tree City, USA program.

Those with an interest in promotion and enhancement of the urban forest are encouraged to submit an application, found at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 8th. They will be reviewed by the committee April 13th, with the appointment being made by the Council during their May 6th meeting.

 

The Medford Fire Department responded to the scene of a confirmed structure fire in the 2200 block of Fairbanks Avenue Monday.

Multiple units arrived and actively worked to contain the incident. The fire was soon knocked down, and crews remained on the scene around 7:15 p.m. extinguishing hotspots and conducting overhaul operations.

Investigators worked with the occupants and fire crews to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The garage sustained heavy fire damage, which extended into the kitchen area of the home. There were no reported injuries.