Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office announced they have received grant funding from Oregon Impact to support increased speed enforcement throughout Josephine County.

According to the department's Facebook page, with this funding, deputies will be working overtime throughout the year conducting targeted traffic enforcement, with a specific focus on speed-related violations.

The Sheriff's Office reminds drivers that speeding is more than just breaking the law. It puts drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists at risk. Excessive speed reduces reaction time, increases stopping distances, and makes crashes more likely to result in serious injury or death.

Drivers are reminded to slow down and obey posted speed limits, and allow themselves plenty of time to reach your destination. Stay alert and watch for other motorists and pedestrians.

 

Oregon State Police cited a driver involved in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 Monday morning.

Troopers responded to the scene at milepost 80 southbound on the interstate around 9:32 a.m. A silver BMW sedan was located, and evidence at the scene indicated it was traveling too fast on the wet roadway. The driver lost control, then hit the barrier and guardrail. She requested to remove the vehicle herself.

Upon further investigation, she admitted to troopers to having methamphetamine in the vehicle. Following a consent search, a scale was found along with meth inside a Tupperware container.

The driver was cited to appear for Meth Possession and Driving While Suspended. Troopers also warned her for driving too fast in the conditions.

 

The Salvation Army Southern Oregon invites the community to stop by anytime during its annual Red Kettle Kickoff Friday, November 13th, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the South Fred Meyer in Medford.

Thanks to generous community sponsors, for every $1 donated, sponsors will contribute an additional $4, up to $25,000 in matching gifts thanks to Harry and David, Hunter Communications, and faithful friends and businesses.

Whether stopping by for a few minutes or enjoying some holiday entertainment, visitors can experience festive activities and special appearances throughout the day including Santa Claus and Enchanted Princesses, live music and entertainment, and complimentary Harry & David truffles.

For more than 128 years, The Salvation Army has helped local individuals and families facing hunger, homelessness, housing instability and financial hardship. Funds raised through the Red Kettle Campaign help provide food, emergency assistance, housing support, youth programs, and other vital services throughout the year.

The Red Kettle Kickoff also launches the annual bell-ringing season, bringing together volunteers, businesses, service clubs and families who give their time to support neighbors in need.

 

Walmart loss prevention reported a theft attempt to dispatch, leading to the suspect's arrest Monday by Grants Pass Police.

After fleeing from staff at the 135 NE Terry Lane store, Robert Kostenko was apprehended and taken to the loss prevention office around 2:30 p.m. He had reportedly entered the store with the intent to steal, and had been trespassed previously.

Despite being apprehended by loss prevention, Kostenko fled the scene before being detained by law enforcement in the NE corner of the parking lot. He had stolen less than $100, and was promptly arrested.

Officers transported Kostenko to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged for First Degree Criminal Trespass, Third Degree Theft, and a detainer per his parole officer.

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police arrested a man for multiple charges after he trespassed at a Shane Way property.

Monday at 5:51 p.m., dispatch was notified that the suspect, Justin McPherron-Taylor, had reportedly come through a window of the home and was currently outside of it after previously being trespassed. He had taken the caller's adult daughter's phone, and was possibly intoxicated at the time of the report.

He had not been invited into the house or on the premises, and had caused injury to the complainant's daughter. No ambulance was requested, and McPherron-Taylor was detained by arriving officers after running northbound on Kellenbeck Avenue.

Probable cause was developed for First Degree Burglary, Second Degree Theft, and Attempted Assault in the Fourth Degree against McPherron-Taylor. He was ultimately lodged in the Adult Jail Facility on the mentioned charges by 8:17 p.m.

 

Police took a man previously trespassed from a NW Midland Avenue residence after he was reported in the home's driveway Monday afternoon.

A call to 911 reported the suspect had hopped the fence of the property around 4:38 p.m. The caller had padlocked the gate, and told dispatch the suspect was being observed via security cameras.

Upon arrival of law enforcement, the suspect, Julian Thomas, was in the driveway. He was taken into custody and lodged in jail for Second Degree Trespass. He was later released on his own recognizance.

 

Grants Pass Police lodged a man wanted out of Eugene for the unlawful possession of marijuana Monday.

The suspect was reported to dispatch wandering around the back parking lot of Washington Federal Bank at 290 Union Avenue around 2:55 p.m. He was described as wearing a tan shirt and baggy pants, and seemed like he was looking for something while coming up close to the caller's car.

Officers were dispatched to the scene and located Casey Macdonald, who was showing numerous signs of impairment at the time of contact. It was confirmed he had an active warrant out of the Eugene Police Department for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, so he was taken into custody.

Police transported Macdonald to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for his warrant.

 

A North Carolina man has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to coerce and entice a minor in Medford to engage in unlawful sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford announced today. Sage Austin Miller, 28, from Winston Salem, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. According to court documents, on September 23rd and 24th, 2024, Miller used Snapchat to communicate with a person he believed was a 16-year-old girl living in Medford. During the online communications, Miller attempted to persuade and entice the purported minor to meet him for sexual activity. Miller later traveled to and arrived at a predetermined meeting location. As part of his plea agreement, Miller admitted that he used a cellular phone connected to the internet to communicate with a person he believed was under the age of 18 and that his conduct constituted a substantial step toward committing the offense. The conduct would have violated Oregon's Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree statute had the planned encounter occurred.

 

Beginning November 12th, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will sell permits to cut Christmas trees from local national forest lands.

According to a release, the public can purchase Christmas tree permits at all Forest Service offices, online, and from local vendors around southwest Oregon.

Christmas tree permits for the 2026 season are available for purchase online at Recreation.gov. They are $5 per permit with an additional $2.50 reservation fee. Christmas tree permits purchased online must be printed to be valid. Traditional, in-person Christmas tree permits are available at Forest Service offices and participating local vendors. Households can purchase a maximum of five permits.

Fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit as a part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. To be eligible for the free tree permit, the student must have a valid Every Kid Outdoors pass or voucher. Passholders can get their free Christmas tree permit by visiting a Forest Service office or on Recreation.gov.

Visit the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest website for more guidance on Christmas tree cutting, including maps, best practices, and office locations and hours.