Local News

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man sleeping on Asante property for drug and probation violation charges Monday morning.

At 8:42 a.m., officers contacted Steven Robison and a woman while the two of them were sleeping behind the building at 1550 NW 6th Street.

Robison had numerous drug paraphernalia items on his lap, one of them being a small folded piece of foil containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for meth.

Officers took Robison into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Meth, and a Parole Violation Detainer.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hear updates on County cases and an investigation of an alleged personnel policy violation during Wednesday's workshop. Following a Board Order update in the matter of amending an Administrative Policy, the board will hear business from multiple departments including the Sheriff's Office, Community Development, Public Works, Airports, Human Resources, and Transit. Board Business includes discussing County-owned Surplus Properties, Anne G. Basker Auditorium Rental Applications, plus Executed County Contracts and Payments According to Terms. Following any other matters the board may introduce, the meeting will adjourn. Wednesday's workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference room and will stream live at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those wishing to attend in person must comply with the clear bag policy.

 

Medford Police officers arrested three suspects Saturday, November 8, following an armed menacing incident, a vehicle pursuit, and the recovery of two stolen firearms.

Around 8 p.m., officers responded to a report that an occupant of a passing vehicle pointed a firearm at a woman near Crater Lake Avenue and Delta Waters Road.

Officers located the vehicle near Hawthorne Park and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled, lost control while turning from 4th Street onto Jackson Street, and crashed into a fence at Hawthorne Park.

A 17-year-old male remained in the vehicle and was detained. Two others, Kevin J. Borja, 26, and Jayden E. Hodge, 19, ran into the park. During the foot chase, Borja discarded a pistol and entered Bear Creek, hiding in thick brush.

The vehicle was connected to a recent armed robbery reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office during which multiple firearms were stolen. One stolen firearm was visible inside the vehicle.

Due to the suspects’ history and the presence of firearms, Medford Police SWAT responded. A thermal drone located a heat source in the brush, and officers used announcements and less-lethal tools before K9 Bruno located and apprehended Borja. Hodge was found shortly afterward and taken into custody without further incident.

Sheriff's Office deputies impounded the vehicle and served a search warrant, recovering a second stolen firearm. Borja and Hodge were lodged at the Jackson County Jail. The 17-year-old was detained, and his case will be referred to juvenile authorities.

 

Rural Metro firefighters spent 2 hours early this morning containing a trash fire near Devil's Slide.

The fire was located at 2:49 a.m. in a ravine north of the railroad tracks near a transient camp. Fire engines were unable to access the area. The fire involved mostly trash and covered an area approximately 1/10th acre.

High humidity from heavy fog was beneficial in moderating fire activity. It is unknown what or who started the fire at this time, as no one was observed in the area.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department conducted a traffic stop Sunday morning that led to an arrest for Meth Possession.

At 9:47 a.m., the suspect, Samuel Liddycoat, was pulled over at the corner of SE N Street and SE Rose Place for several violations. He attempted to speed away, but quickly came to a stop.

Officers discovered Liddycoat was driving uninsured, and, during a search of his vehicle, found over two grams of a white crystalline substance that tested presumptive positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

Liddycoat was arrested, transported, and then lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. He was also issued a citation for Driving Uninsured. His vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

Oregon State Police troopers responded to the intersection of Interstate 5 and Lariat Drive for a welfare check Friday evening.

At 5:06 p.m., the suspect voluntarily identified himself as Coby Siikanen of Crescent City, California. He was found to have a Failure to Appear extraditable warrant out of Del Norte County.

Troopers took Siikanen into custody. He was transported and lodged for the warrant at the Josephine County Jail.

 

Grants Pass Police stopped a woman driving a green Ford Explorer and arrested her on outstanding warrants this morning.

At 5:13 a.m., the suspect, Ashley Delongpre was contacted on the northwest side of the Motel 6 at 1800 NE 7th Street. She was found to have two warrants out for her arrest.

Both her Jackson County Sheriff's Office warrant and the Grants Pass Police Department warrant charged Delongpre with Second Degree Theft.

Officers subsequently transported and lodged Delongpre in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to a potential medical aid incident reportedly involving an unconscious person in Cave Junction.

Upon their arrival at the location around 7:26 a.m. November 9th, a vehicle was discovered off the roadway, unoccupied. A subsequent search of the vicinity failed to locate any individuals.

The vehicle was flagged, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was advised.

 

The Bureau of Land Management apprehended a woman for trespassing Sunday morning.

The suspect, Michelle Richardson, was contacted at the corner of Crow Road and Galice Road at 10:58 a.m.

She was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Meth Possession. She was later released for lack of resources.