Local News

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is reminding Oregonians about the importance of fire safety.

Since January 1, the agency has investigated 10 home fires across the state from various causes.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal offers these tips: Keep things that burn, like paper, curtains, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from all heating equipment, including fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves. Always plug space and portable heaters directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip.

Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit. Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed, and test smoke alarms at least once a month.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of heating equipment fires (46%) occurred in the three-month period from December through February.

 

No quorum was present for today's Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 meeting.

The meeting convened at 10 a.m. Commissioner Ron Smith was absent. Due to a lack of quorum, no business or formal action could be conducted.

Meetings with Interviews and an Appointment for the vacant position on the agenda are scheduled for January 15th and 16th at 10 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room.

The board of County Commissioners is scheduled to meet this evening for a Weekly Business Session. A Public Hearing for Library Annexations will start the meeting, followed by requests and comments from citizens, and an overview of the consent calendar.

Pending other matters, the meeting will adjourn. Today's Weekly Business Session will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those attending in person must comply with the clear bag policy.

 

This morning at 05:26 a.m., a traffic accident occurred on Redwood Hwy and Mile Marker 25 in Selma.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and Oregon State Police were dispatched to the single-vehicle rollover incident.

The individual involved received medical assessment on-site and did not require transportation to a medical facility.

The southbound lane of Highway 199 was temporarily closed, and traffic control measures were implemented to facilitate traffic flow.

The vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a suspect on an out-of-county warrant Tuesday morning.

At 6:41 a.m., deputies identified a blue Chevy Blazer and a black Chevy truck with no license plates in an undisclosed location. The driver of the Blazer was seen the day prior, and it was believed the suspect was camping in the area.

Deputies contacted the suspect, Christopher Myers, and told him overnight camping wasn't permitted. Myers admitted to staying overnight, and that one of the vehicles was having trouble starting. A woman he was with was given the keys so she could move it.

Myers was found to have a Douglas County Felony warrant out for his arrest charging him with Underlying Unlawful Use of a Vehicle. Deputies took him into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail.

 

During today's County Administration Workshop, the board disagreed on the Vacant Position Appointing process. Before adjourning the meeting, Commissioner Chris Barnett said, because of a quorum, both Commissioners had the right to appoint to the position. Commissioner Ron Smith said Legal Counsel has already advised that the two of them aren't a part of the process anymore. Barnett disagreed. Appointment meetings for the vacancy are scheduled for 10 a.m. on January 14th and 15th. During other matters, Barnett asked if Smith would be interested in discussing the 32 applicants for the vacant board seat, but Smith declined. When Barnett asked if Smith has secured an attorney, Smith said, "No comment." At the beginning of the meeting, the board moved to approve the renewal of a Grant Agreement for the Boys and Girls Club with dollars passed through their prevention department. The grant will help support Smart Moves, a curriculum program designed to teach local kids valuable skills and to avoid risky behaviors via targeted programs and interactive learning.

 

Rentec Direct has been named a Silver winner in the 2025 Best in Biz Awards, earning recognition as one of the most customer-friendly companies in North America for the eighth time.

According to a release from the company, Rentec Direct has built a reputation as a trusted partner for landlords and property managers, thanks to its customer support and high customer satisfaction rates.

Customer-focused innovations, including a new feedback loop that encourages ratings and reviews and a proactive anniversary check-in program, have benefited hundreds of Rentec Direct clients in recent years.

Client feedback continues to drive product development, leading to a major accounting overhaul, a new user-friendly mobile app, a bi-weekly rent payment option, and a remodeled website editor that meets modern accessibility and mobile standards.

During 2024-2025, the Client Success Team supported more than 13,500 clients, spent over 3,100 hours enhancing customer support materials and devoted more than 500 hours to employee training in customer service, property management compliance and technical product knowledge.

 

Three Medford citizens were recognized for assisting a police officer in the line of duty.

Medford Mayor Michael Zarosinski and Chief Justin Ivens presented Tim and Suzanne Pike and Vincente Gutierrez with Citizen Appreciation Awards at the January 7th Council Meeting.

On December 14th, an officer with Medford Police engaged in a foot pursuit of a known revoked driver. The pursuit escalated into a prolonged physical struggle, during which the suspect attempted to seize the officer's duty pistol and taser while the officer was on his back, partially immobilized.

Recognizing the need for assistance, the three citizens stepped in to help. They followed the officer's direction and assisted in restraining the suspect, leading to a safe arrest. A minor injury was sustained by the officer, but no one else was hurt.

 

Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 56 Monday night.

Around 7:09 p.m., the driver of a brown Buick was traveling northbound while negotiating a right curve. He lost control of the vehicle, began sliding sideways, and hit the embankment, causing the vehicle to roll several times.

The driver told troopers he was traveling approximately 75 MPH at the time of the crash, and OSP cited him for Driving While Suspended and no insurance.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle were transported to Three Rivers Medical Center by AMR. The driver’s dog was injured during the incident, and then transported by OSP to Central Point for veterinary treatment. The Buick was towed from the scene.

 

Grants Pass Police pulled over a man after he failed to stop while emerging from a driveway Monday night.

The driver was observed on SE 6th Street and SE L Street, and was stopped at the corner of 7th and J Streets. The officer contacted the driver, Sallone Sheets, and found him to be driving while suspended.

Sheets wasn't driving for an emergent reason, so he was taken into custody. His vehicle was impounded, and his Parole Officer was contacted.

A detainer for Sheets was requested, and the officer subsequently transported him to the Josephine County Jail. Sheets was lodged on the detainer and a misdemeanor charge of Driving While Suspended.