Local News

Josephine County First Responders are encouraging the public to be wary of incoming weather that may increase the potential for vehicle crashes.

Wet and slippery road surfaces are a common contributor to crashes. That, combined with speed, tire condition, and overall vehicle maintenance, increase the chances of a crash .

If you find yourself stranded in a winter-related crash, some useful items to carry with you in your vehicle include warm clothing, heat packs, a medical kit, water, non-perishable food, a shovel, jumper cables, and a charged cell phone.

Emergency crews also want to remind you that many calls and texts to 911 will produce a GPS location that can be identified by local responders.

 

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is reopening with limited terrain Thursday. Beginning at 9 a.m., the Sonnet, Lithia and Comer Chairlifts, and the First Act Learning Carpet will open. Tickets for Sonnet, the Lower Lift, and Twilight skiing are available now at www.mtashland.com. Staff is waiting to see what the weather will bring to determine when the Windsor and Ariel Chairlifts and all terrain coming off of those lifts will be open. For now they remain closed. The Locker Lodge and lockers are closed for now until more terrain on the mountain is open. The public is encouraged to check the Mountain Report on their website for the latest updates on conditions.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing person. Gabriel Vaughn is described as a 25-year-old white male, 5'10", 160 pounds, with blonde hair and brown eyes. He was last seen Monday around 4:15 p.m. during a rafting trip near Greenwall Rapids on the Illinois River. He was wearing a blue dry suit with a helmet and a life jacket. Vaughn left his group to go hiking in the woods with plans to hike out from the location towards the Chetco drainage. At this time, the US Coast Guard does not have the ability to fly a helicopter due to weather. Search and Rescue has also been notified of the incident and further investigation will continue. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Gabriel Vaughn, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man after he gave a false name Sunday.

At 2:21 p.m., dispatch was notified of a vehicle that had been parked at the corner of SW Alder Street and SW K Street for almost a half hour. The caller described the man as wearing a black hoodie, hunched over, and acting suspiciously.

It wasn't clear what the suspect was doing, but the caller told dispatch the vehicle was unplated and had a broken rear window. A request was made to have law enforcement drive through the area.

Officers arrived at the scene and identified the unplated burgundy Chrysler. They contacted the man inside, who initially identified himself as Charles Schull. A parole officer was contacted and requested a detainer on Schull. After he was detained, however, Schull said his name was Christopher Davis.

Davis's parole officer was then contacted, who advised he would detain. Following a consent search and positive field tests, officers found Davis with user amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine. He was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Cocaine, Meth Possession, and his detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man Sunday after he was found using controlled substances in front of the former Rite Aid.

At 10:48 a.m., a report came in to dispatch regarding a man actively using drugs via a needle on a bench outside the 931 NE D Street location. Upon arrival, officers contacted and identified Jeffrey McPeake as the suspect.

He denied using drugs but consented to a search of his person. Officers found a contact lens container with a white crystal like substance inside. McPeake told officers the substance was meth.

After officers field testing the substance, proving its presumptive positivity for amphetamines, McPeake's parole officer was contacted. A detainer was requested, and officers took McPeake into custody.

He was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for the detainer, and a charge of Meth Possession. The substance, as well as a glass bulb shaped pipe, was logged as evidence.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a victim robbed at gunpoint Saturday afternoon. The victim told dispatch about the incident at 1:15 p.m., saying he had been hit in the head with a gun and robbed at the 5030 Monument Drive Lil Pantry. The suspects left the scene in a white Infiniti G37, which deputies were soon able to track down heading southbound on Interstate 5. Deputies, Oregon State Police, and a K9 Unit conducted the high risk vehicle stop at the Exit 48 on ramp. Three suspects, Manuel Martinez, Kevin Rhodes, and Ordee Martin, were contacted and detained without incident. All three were charged with First Degree Conspiracy to Commit a Robbery. Martinez and Martin were charged with First Degree Robbery and First Degree Theft, and Martinez was also found to be wanted on a Merced Police Department warrant for two counts of Felony Robbery. Martinez, Rhodes, and Martin were all transported and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

 

Medford Fire Department and Jackson County Fire District 3 crews were dispatched this morning at 12:33 a.m. to a reported residential structure fire.

Engine 15 arrived at the scene in the 1400 block of Saint Andrew Way in Medford to find a small, single-story residence with active fire conditions. Firefighters encountered heavy fire on a side porch, which had extended into the kitchen area and attic space.

Crews quickly initiated an aggressive attack and completed primary searches of the home. The fire was brought under control within approximately 15 minutes of arrival. Two occupants were evaluated on scene. Mercy Flights transported one patient to the hospital for treatment related to smoke inhalation.

Medford Police assisted by securing the area, ensuring neighbors remained at a safe distance, and temporarily closing the roadway to allow for safe fire operations.

Investigators are currently working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. There were no reported injuries to firefighters.

 

Two vehicles got into a crash Sunday night, with one of them flipping upside down and crashing into an ARCO gas station. Dispatch received multiple calls reporting the incident. One caller who wasn't involved reported the crash around 7:03 p.m., saying a vehicle had crashed into the 785 SE 7th Street station. Grants Pass Police responded to the scene. According to the police report, the driver of a Honda was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on SE 7th Street. As it approached the SE M Street intersection, the driver lost control of his vehicle. He continued to accelerate as he entered the eastbound turn lane on to SE M Street. He attempted to avoid a black Toyota pick-up, but struck the bed, causing his Honda to go airborne, rollover, then crash into the ARCO. Both vehicles and the building sustained significant damage. The driver of the Honda was issued a criminal citation for Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, and Third Degree Assault. He and his injured female passenger were both transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The vehicles were towed from the scene.

 

Eagle Point School District 9 has announced Mr. Jim Helmen as the district’s new superintendent.

Beginning with the 2026 - 27 school year, he will join the EPSD9 from the Vernonia School District, where he has served as superintendent since July 1st, 2022. Mr. Helmen brings extensive experience in educational leadership and student services.

He began his career in Eastern Oregon as a teacher, special education coordinator, and athletic director, and has coached middle and high school athletics for more than two decades. He later served the Clatskanie School District as Director of Student Services and Innovation, 7 - 12 Principal and Vice Principal, and Special Education Director, before becoming superintendent in Vernonia.

Mr. Helmen is committed to supporting all students and strengthening partnerships with families and the community.