Local News

The Board of Commissioners moved in favor of the separation of Information Technology and Emergency Management functions, and will hold a meeting for radio communications.

During their 1:30 p.m. workshop, the board approved the separation as well as the establishing of separate department director classifications. A motion in favor of a three month suspension of Mineral Exploration and Mining Lease Application acceptance also passed 3-0.

A meeting regarding Emergency Radio Communications has been tentatively scheduled for July 27th, and will include the Sheriff's Office, Public Works, Forestry, Community Corrections, and the Parks Department. The board tabled a 4H/OSU Extension Service District Intergovernmental Agreement and Funds discussion.

The meeting began with signing approval of an Axon Justice Contract from the District Attorney's office. This will update the software provider costing $36,000 for the first year of a 10 year contract, with software training provided.

Parks requested approval of utilizing Aegis Asphalt in the amount of $117,699 for paving needed for the Whitehorse Park project, expected to be done July 24th. Funding is provided by a capital fund.

The board approved invoice payment requests for Community Development and Public Works. The former was for a Granicus LLC Subscription renewal of software used for permits, planning, and building utilized by county departments. The latter for chip seal rock from ROBCO.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man possessing drug paraphernalia during a check of Resting Site 7 Monday.

While giving a man a courtesy ride to Parker's Place Village, officers observed William Jensen in the 712 NE 7th Street Site. He was located in the site holding a glass pipe containing a crystal like substance around 2:14 p.m.

Officers contacted Jensen and found he was also wanted on two valid warrants out of the police department, both charging him with Possession of Methamphetamine. He was issued a 30 day exclusion from the site, and taken into custody for his warrants plus an additional charge of Meth Possession.

Police lodged Jensen in jail, and proceeded with their initial courtesy ride to Parker's Place where a room was open for their passenger.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a man yelling and screaming in the 5200 block of Donaldson Road.

That morning, according to a 9:45 a.m. call to dispatch, the caller reported the neighbor living at that location is alone and frequently yells and screams, but this time it sounded like he was yelling at someone.

Based on the address, deputies determined the suspect could be Lewis Rossiter. He was contacted upon arrival of law enforcement and found to be wanted on two warrants out of the Sheriff's Department.

Charges included Interference with Making a Police Report, Fourth Degree Assault, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. Rossiter was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his two warrants.

Deputies again lodged a man wanted on two warrants that afternoon. The suspect was identified as Steven Robison in the 500 block of NW 6th Street around 2:23 p.m.

Both Grants Pass Police Department warrants charged Robison with Possession of Methamphetamine, and he was promptly taken into custody. He was transported to the Adult Jail Facility and lodged.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is seeking 15 volunteers to serve on the Siskiyou (Oregon) Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).

This 15 member committee represents a wide range of community interests and provides recommendations for how federal Title II funds are allocated for projects related to recreation, maintenance, and ecosystem restoration on or near the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Josephine, Curry, and Coos counties.

Committee members represent a wide variety of backgrounds and interests including Native American tribes, government agencies, industry representatives, environmental advocates, recreation groups, and local residents.

Nominees will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience working within the interest area they represent. Members serve four-year terms and are expected to participate in biennial RAC meetings.

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will be accepting applications through October. Early applications are encouraged, and background check will be required. Applications can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov.

 

A woman called 911 to report her son had stolen her vehicle, reportedly, to buy drugs.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to the incident that occurred in the 300 block of Bandy Way. The woman stated her son took the keys to her Mazda from her purse, and had left the scene in the last five minutes to head to the 6th Street Safeway.

She told dispatch she wished to press charges, and deputies were dispatched to the grocer. Upon arrival, the suspect was taken into custody outside the store. He was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

A man and woman wanted on separate warrants were apprehended by GP Police.

Monday afternoon around 4:46 p.m., officers contacted Leo Wilson at the corner of NW E Street and NW 5th Street. He was reportedly worked up and had a history of carrying a knife, but officers took him into custody.

Wilson was wanted on a warrant out of the agency for Larceny, so he was transported to and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

Later that night, officers located Elizabeth Miller in Baker Park after hours at 11:37 p.m. She was confirmed, upon contact, to be wanted on an out-of-county felony warrant from the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office in Washington.

Her warrant charged her with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and she was promptly taken into custody. Officers lodged Miller in jail at 12:07 a.m.

 

Grants Pass Police lodged a man after he drove his vehicle into a tree outside the Plaza Liquor store Monday morning.

Dispatch was alerted to the incident outside the 1638 Williams Highway store. A call to 911 around 11:45 a.m. reported the suspect had crashed a white truck into a tree in the parking lot in front of the store.

The caller, the liquor store's manager, had footage of the incident, and despite the efforts of individuals at the scene, the suspect left. The manager reported to dispatch that he followed the trail of fluids left by the fleeing truck to a West Harbeck address, where the truck and a white house were located.

Officers responded to the manager's location and contacted the suspect, Tyler Sebastian. He was taken into custody at the scene for Hit and Run Causing Property Damage, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. He was later released on his own recognizance.

 

Fire crews were dispatched yesterday to a blaze involving multiple buildings at Oshala Farm in the 14,000 block of Highway 238.

According to the Applegate Fire District Facebook page, as a result of the fire, Highway 238 was shut down in both directions in order to facilitate helicopter water drops. As of yesterday's 5:45 p.m. update, the highway re-opened, with crews remaining on scene to keep the fire under control and begin mop up operations.

Crews from Applegate Fire, Williams Fire, Rural Metro Fire, Jackson County Fire District 3, Grants Pass Fire, and Ashland Fire and Rescue sent engines and crews to assist.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners discussed allegations against Human Resources Director Michelle Shaw in a public meeting following a brief Executive Session. Commissioner Ron Smith was absent due to a pre-planned appointment. The 3 p.m. session, a due process hearing to consider the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against the Human Resources Director, was held in the BCC Conference Room. The board reconvened for a public meeting per request of Director Shaw to go over performance concerns. The concerns and essential job functions were discussed, followed by allegations regarding paid leave investigations, as well as errors in communicating personnel policies and compensation of employment related information. Further discussion included alleged assignments and responsibilities not completed in a timely manner resulting in delays, and confidential medical information that may have been improperly distributed. Reported delegation was brought up as an issue. The discussion will be taken into further consideration.