Local News

A Sunday night traffic stop by a Josephine County Deputy resulted in a drug bust and arrest of the suspect.Just before 11 p.m. the Deputy ran the license plate of a 1995 Ford F350. The Sheriff's log is sparse on details but the subject was arrested charges of possession and distribution of methamphetamine and the Ford pickup was impounded. The subject was identified as Spencer Leroy Steers, 37. Steers was also arrested and lodged in February of this year on possession of meth, menacing-aggravated assault and harassment.

 

The early detection of an alleged shoplifter led to his arrest and incarceration. Sunday afternoon at 2:38 Grants Pass received a call from Walmart stating the subject was currently inside the store actively steal items. The store's loss prevention team were evidently familiar with the suspect and stated he has a tendency to run and has not been approached by staff. Loss prevention provided Police with a running narrative of the suspect's movements within the store and as he left the premises he was contacted by law enforcement and was found to be in possession of the merchandise. The alleged shoplifter, identified as Dakota Alan Ree, 33, was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a charge of theft II. Ree's booking sheet revealed this was the 6th arrest in the last year on other theft charges, methamphetamine possession, probation violations and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle.

 

A shoplifting incident at Grange Coop resulted in responses from Grants Pass City Police, the Oregon State Troopers and American Medical Response plus the arrests of two adults and one juvenile. According to the City Police narrative, the incident began when the juvenile was accused of stealing $34.98 worth of merchandise by concealing them in her waistband and exiting the building. She was confronted by loss prevention in the parking lot who attempted to escort her into the loss prevention office. The juvenile resisted, using physical force, to pull away and keep the pilfered merchandise. She grabbed a bottle of pet flea spray and sprayed a Grange employee, then punched the employee. A friend of the juvenile, Savannah Ray Arey, 19, attempted to intervene, pulling the suspect away from the employees and intentionally biting two of them. The suspect and Savannah were both detained by law enforcement. Jeffery Slover, 19, arrived shortly thereafter and attempted to interfere with the investigation. The juvenile suspect was arrested and lodged in the Juvenile Justice Center facing charges of robbery III, theft III and physical harassment. Savannah Arey was lodged in the County Jail charged with two counts of assault IV and Jeffery Slover was also lodged in the County Jail charged with interfering with law enforcement.

 

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Grants Pass to discuss the budget for the nest fiscal year will be held next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. A copy of the fiscal year 2027 proposed budget document is available for inspection on the City’s website. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Interested citizens are invited to attend this public meeting where deliberations of the Budget Committee will begin and a schedule for future Budget Committee meetings will be set. Any person may appear at the meetings and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. Public comments will be welcome at all meetings scheduled by the Budget Committee, including this first meeting. Budget Committee agendas and meeting notices can also be found on the City’s website at http://www.grantspassoregon.gov/agendacenter.

 

Josephine Community Library has invited the public to the last of the monthly Declaration 250 history series — exploring “The Declaration in a New Millennium” Thursday, May 7th from 5:30–6:30 pm at the Grants Pass branch. Led by award-winning educator Lois MacMillan, Declaration 250 is a free public history series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Each session connects the foundational ideas of 1776 to modern movements for liberty and equality in the United States and around the world. In addition to the event, the Declaration 250 traveling exhibit, curated by Dr. James Basker and Sandy Trenholm of the Gilder Lehrman Institute, is available for loan to local schools and community organizations. To request the traveling exhibit or learn more about the series, email info@josephinelibrary.org or visit josephinelibrary.org/education-and-research/declaration-250. The exhibit highlights the global impact of the Declaration of Independence. Due to high interest, attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating and participation.This program series is funded in part by the 2026 Oregon Humanities Mini Grant for Libraries.For more information about library programs and services, visit josephinelibrary.org, email info@josephinelibrary.org, or call 541-476-0571.

 

A Grants Pass City Police officer took a suspect into custody Thursday afternoon at 1:42 after making contact in the west Riverside area. The suspect, identified as Robert David Smith, 52, had a valid arrest warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of criminal trespass II outstanding. Smith is a felon and his parole officer issued a detainer. Smith was lodged in the county jail on the probation violation and the trespass charge. Smith's booking information filled 12 pages and included several methamphetamine charges, resisting arrest, theft II and failure to report as a sex offender. He remained in custody this morning.

 

There are some important dates for Josephine County voters and prospective voters looming. First, to vote in the upcoming election you must be registered and the last date to register prior to the election is Tuesday, April 28th. That's also the deadline to change your party affiliation, should you desire to do so. You must declare for a political party to participate in the Oregon's closed primary election races. You must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Oregon and at least 16-years-old to register. You must be 18-years-old to vote. Registering or updating your registration can be done either at your local county elections office, that's the County Clerk's office in Josephine County, or online at oregonvotes.gov. You will need documentation to prove citizenship and eligibility.Now that you're ready to vote, be aware the ballots will be in the mail April 29th for the election on May 19th.
Once you've marked your ballot it’s a good idea to get it in the mail quickly. To have your vote counted on election day, it wise to mail your ballot two to three days prior to election day. Other options include the 8 ballot drop boxes that are available right up to 8 p.m. election day. The locations are the County Clerk's office in the court house and at the north and south entrances of the court house, the Cave Junction City Building at 222 West Lister St., Rays Food Place in Merlin, the Hidden Valley Market in Murphy, Washington Federal Bank on Union Avenue and Josephine Community Library rear parking lot in Grants Pass.

 

Two of Grants Pass Broadcasting's radio stations, KAJO/KLDR, have been nominated as "Station of the Year" in a poll by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. Grants Pass Broadcasting is one of three nominees who have long histories of community service and tradition. All nominees take their F.C.C. license seriously as being licensed to serve the public interest. Part of the narrative submitted on behalf stations KAJO/KLDR listed radio coverage of "blazing fires or fearsome floodwaters." Along with KAJO/KLDR other nominees are KLAD-FM in Klamath Falls and KYTT-FM/K-LIGHT in Coos bay.

 

Night paving begins next week on a half-mile stretch of Oregon 99, South Pacific Highway, between Phoenix and Medford. This is the last section to be paved for the Oregon 99: Glenwood Road to Coleman Creek project, which is on schedule for completion in early summer. This Sunday, April 26, crews will begin paving in the northbound lanes of OR 99 from Northridge Terrace to Glenwood Road. Crews expect to move to the southbound lanes midweek and complete paving by Friday. Traffic will be limited to a single lane in each direction in the work zone. The center lane will not be available for use while crews are working at night; intersections and driveways will remain accessible. Lane closures will remain in place during the day to allow the new pavement to set. Travelers can expect delays, especially near transit stops. Factor in extra time for your commute or consider alternate routes to help reduce congestion in the area. Expect traffic patterns to change through the week as work progresses. Use caution while traveling through the work zone. Slow down and watch for workers and equipment in the roadway.