Local News

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, acknowledge 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.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office detained and lodged a man wanted on two warrants.

Deputies contacted the suspect, Ian Berry, in the 25,000 block of Redwood Highway Monday around 5:30 p.m. He was confirmed to be wanted on two warrants: one from the Grants Pass Police Department, and the other from the Medford Police Department.

Both were misdemeanor warrants charging Berry with Possession of Methamphetamine and Fraud. The warrants were confirmed, and Berry was taken into custody.

Deputies transported him to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged on his two police department warrants.

 

A man reportedly pulled all the fire alarms at the Motel 6 Monday morning, then fled from Grants Pass Police custody before being lodged in jail.

The suspect, later identified as Ely Smith, had pulled the alarms at the 1800 NE 7th street motel before leaving the scene towards All Care Health. The general manager requested law enforcement trespass Smith, then reported him to be yelling at All Care's security at 11:25 a.m.

There were no active fires at the incident location, and Smith was never a guest at the motel. He proceeded toward the Sizzler after knocking over a trash can at a nearby bus stop, and he was described as being bald, carrying a navy blue shirt, and wearing gray pants.

Fire personnel were requested to reset the alarms, and a second police unit was requested to apprehend Smith, who had made his way to the nearby Wendy's per the general manager's report.

Smith was advised by police that he was under arrest, then fled from custody. Officers were soon able to detain him and take him into custody without incident. Smith's parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was requested.

Officers took Smith to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his detainer, and charges of First Degree Disorderly Conduct and Escape in the Third Degree.

 

Applications are being accepted for one position on the new Small Business Task Force.

Appointments are for the duration of the task force, which is anticipated to be no more than 12 months from the date of appointment.

The purpose of the task force is to establish a group of local business owners and advocates to explore local business conditions, consider strategies for stabilization, and identify key topics for a long-term business support plan.

Qualifiers for the position include business owners representing a variety of sectors, not limited to retail, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, food and beverage, transportation, and member-at-large.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A St., or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received by 5 p.m., August 14th. Appointments will be made by the Council at the City Council meeting on September 2nd.