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Central Point Man Sentenced Following Burglary of Gold, Cash, and Firearms

A Central Point man was sentenced to federal prison today for felon in possession of a firearm.

Jonathan Anthony Kinsella, 53, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. The verdict comes after he and his co-defendants targeted an elderly victim and stole over $250,000 worth of gold, cash, and firearms.

According to court documents, in August 2023, Kinsella, a convicted felon, came up with a plan and solicited his wife and friend to burglarize an elderly victim. Kinsella and the two co-defendants split approximately $103,000 in cash, $180,000 in gold coins, and five firearms.

Police executed a search warrant at Kinsella’s residence and found a .40 S & W caliber pistol, a .30-30 Winchester caliber rifle, a Colt .38 Special revolver, and a 12-guage weapon made from a shotgun.

On February 1st, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Kinsella with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. On October 20th, 2025, Kinsella pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper prosecuted the case.

Posted on 2/20/26 1:21PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Officer Arrested Man Screaming in Street

An officer with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man screaming and yelling in the street Wednesday evening.

A report came in to dispatch about the man who was outside the building at 1574 NE 7th Street across from Grants Pass Automotive. The caller requested a response from law enforcement.

The officer arrived at the scene and contacted the suspect, Nicholas Knowles. His parole officer was contacted, and she requested a detainer. Knowles was then taken into custody without further incident.

During a consent search, a meth pipe was located on Knowles' person. It was later destroyed and discarded. The officer transported Knowles to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Posted on 2/20/26 1:13PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Two on Oregon State Parole Board Warrants

Grants Pass Police officers arrested two men wanted on Oregon State Parole Board Warrants in two cases Thursday.

At 9:15 a.m., Michael Hood was observed walking near NE 7th Street and NE D Street. He was known to have a valid felony warrant out for his arrest, so he was promptly detained.

Hood was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant charging him with Burglary.

Later that day at 4:24 p.m., officers located Jeffrey Kime Pelt at the corner of Harbeck Road and Grandview Lane. He was also wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant for a traffic offense.

He was compliant while officers took him into custody. He was then lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 2/20/26 12:51PM by Alex Bauer

PacifiCorp Pays $575 Million Oregon and California Wildfire Settlement

PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve the United States’ claims for damages resulting from six wildfires in Oregon and California. The four Oregon fires are the South Obenchain Fire, which began on September 8th, 2020, east of Eagle Point and burned 14,780 acres of federal land, the 242 Fire near Chiloquin, the Archie Creek Fire near French Creek in the Umpqua National Forest, and the Echo Mountain Complex Fire near Otis. The two California fires are the Slater Fire and the McKinney Fire. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the settlement resolves the United States’ claims that PacifiCorp’s electrical lines negligently started all six fires. The settlement monies will help repay the United States for the substantial costs it incurred fighting the fires, a critical move now that U.S. Forest Service spends more than half of its budget on wildfire suppression annually.

Posted on 2/20/26 12:36PM by Alex Bauer

OSP Arrested Suspended Driver on Misdemeanor Warrant

Oregon State Police arrested a man with a warrant that was driving while suspended.

On Thursday around 8:49 p.m., the trooper conducted a traffic stop at the corner of 6th Street and Morgan Lane. The driver, identified as Tyler Bryant, 34, of Grants Pass, was found to have a misdemeanor warrant out for his arrest and suspended driving privileges.

He was subsequently arrested by the trooper, who then lodged Bryant in the Josephine County Jail for Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended, and his Parole Violation warrant.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:40AM by Alex Bauer

Stolen Vehicle Suspect Apprehended by Law Enforcement, Lodged at Jackson County Jail

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police were alerted to a stolen vehicle out of the Medford Police Department.

The owner of the stolen black Prius had the GPS location on the vehicle. Dispatch was notified the vehicle was on Interstate 5 at milepost 59 on the northbound shoulder at 8:20 a.m.

Law enforcement located the vehicle and held the suspect, Jonathan Beasley, at gunpoint. After he was detained, the owner of the Prius took possession of the vehicle. Beasley was taken into custody and transported to meet halfway with Medford Police officers at Rogue State Park.

Beasley was then lodged in the Jackson County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. Charges of Meth Possession and Third Degree Theft were referred to the District Attorney's Office.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:29AM by Alex Bauer

Man Crashes Vehicle into Home, Arrested by GP Police

The Grants Pass Police Department responded to a report of a crash Thursday at about 10:30 p.m.

A vehicle driven by Michael Knitter crashed into a home in the 700 block of Larch Road. Grants Pass Fire and Rescue and American Medical Response also responded to the scene, as one person was injured with non-life-threatening injuries. No one else in the home was struck by the car.

After the investigation, officers lodged Knitter at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Third Degree Assault, DUII, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, and Criminal Mischief.

The Grants Pass Police Department is urging drivers to avoid impaired driving, emphasizing that even one drink can impair judgment and lead to arrest.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:16AM by Alex Bauer

Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026 Competition Announced by AllCare Health

AllCare Health has announced the Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026 Competition and Crowning event.

The competition is open to the public, and set to take place on February 28th, starting at 2 p.m. at AllCare Health, 1701 NE 7th Street.

This is the third year that the event is in coordination with The Equity Project of Josephine County and The Ms. Wheelchair Oregon Advocacy and Empowerment Program.

Ms. Wheelchair America is a platform for women who use wheelchairs to advocate for the more than 64 million Americans living with disabilities. Contestants will compete based on their advocacy, communication skills, and personal achievements to become the state’s representative for people with disabilities.

The winner of Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2026 earns the honor of representing Oregon at the national Ms. Wheelchair America competition.

Crowned Ms. Wheelchair Oregon 2025 at AllCare Health last year, Grants Pass resident Alice Diehl went on to place third in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2026 competition. Her platform centered on creating hope and safe spaces for vulnerable communities.

Posted on 2/20/26 11:09AM by Alex Bauer

Historic Buildings and Sites Commission Seeking Applicants for Vacancy

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission due to a vacancy.

This position expires on December 7th, 2026. The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary.

The committee also works to promote the community's historic preservation, advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and identify areas and buildings of historic or archaeological significance.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. This position is for a representative who owns a business located within the Central Business District of the City of Grants Pass.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 3rd.

Applicants will be interviewed by the commission at the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission meeting April 9th, and by the Council at their workshop May 4th. Appointments will be made at the City Council meeting May 6th.

Posted on 2/20/26 10:36AM by Alex Bauer

Assault Involving Noodles Results in Arrest of Woman for Harassment, Trespass

On Wednesday, officers with the Grants Pass Police Department reported to an assault complaint.

At 8:32 a.m., a man called dispatch about the incident that occurred 15 minutes prior in the parking lot of a property in the 100 block of NE B Street. The suspect, Samantha Crutcher, reportedly threw hot noodles on and struck the man's girlfriend.

The girlfriend declined medical attention and didn't have any marks from the assault, but she did want to pursue charges. Dispatch was told Crutcher may be high on meth.

Upon arrival, officers observed noodles on the sidewalk and a yellow liquid from the noodles on the girlfriends blanket and hat. Crutcher admitted to throwing the noodles, then told officers that afterwards, the girlfriend grabbed a neck gaiter around Crutcher's neck.

Crutcher also wished to pursue charges. She was found to be warned for trespassing at the location back in December, and she was taken into custody. Officers lodged her at the Josephine County Jail for Harassment and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

Charges of Harassment were forwarded to the District Attorney's office against the girlfriend.

Posted on 2/19/26 1:42PM by Alex Bauer

Man Yelling Downtown, Chasing Others, Arrested by GP Police on Warrant

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a man running and yelling in the street downtown.

On Wednesday at 9:22 a.m., a call to 911 reported the suspect yelling and screaming near the Grants Pass Pharmacy. He was out in traffic until he began chasing after someone near Liberty Tax Service.

The caller told dispatch the suspect continued following and chasing people in and out of the street, winding up in front of the Peoples Bank. Officers arrived at the scene and contacted the suspect, Brandon Stradford.

It was found he had a valid and serviceable warrant for his arrest charging him with Possession of Methamphetamine. Stradford was also issued a citation for warrants out of Klamath Falls charging him with Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Third Degree Theft.

Officers lodged Stradford in the Josephine County Jail on his Grants Pass Police Department warrant. Due to lack of resources at the jail, he was released.

Posted on 2/19/26 12:54PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Resistant Suspect on Meth Warrant

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man for a warrant at the corner of W Jones Creek Road and Foothill Boulevard.

On Wednesday at 5:48 p.m., deputies had to use force to hand cuff the suspect, Terry Carnicello, and take him into custody for his Sheriff's Office warrant. He was wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine and a Parole Violation.

Carnicello's white Ford F150 and trailer were towed from the scene, and he was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant and a charge of Resisting Arrest.

Posted on 2/19/26 11:44AM by Alex Bauer

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