Local News

The Josephine Community Library is inviting teens ages 13 to 17 to join the remaining Teen Bad Artists Club sessions at the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley branches during the Summer Reading Program.

The sessions will take place Thursday, July 30th and Thursday, August 6th at the Grants Pass branch and on Friday, August 7th at the Illinois Valley branch.

The Teen Bad Artists Club invites any and all artists to explore creative arts in a low-pressure environment. Participants enjoy art activities, music, snacks, giveaways, and opportunities to build friendships while celebrating the creative process.

Remaining Teen Bad Artists Club sessions and their themes for the 2026 season include the Teen LEGO Challenge at the Grants Pass branch from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Grants Pass branch.

Additionally, teens will have a chance to make Miniature Art from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. August 6th at the Grants Pass branch and from 1 to 2 p.m. August 7th at the Illinois Valley branch. Teen participants are welcome to attend as many or as few sessions as they want.

The 2026 Teen Bad Artists Club series is made possible through a grant from Josephine County Cultural Coalition. This program is free and open to the public and is part of the 2026 Summer Reading Program. A library card is not needed to participate. For more information about library programs, visit josephinelibrary.org.

 

Fire crews responded to a structure fire and shed fire Friday and Saturday respectively.

A detached garage was destroyed by fire around 11:53 a.m. at a residence near Griffin Park Friday. Electrical contractors in the area spotted the smoke and immediately deployed their fire equipment required for their job site, and worked to control flames.

The crew kept up the fight until relieved by multiple units from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District.

The fire tried to advance into surrounding dry vegetation, but was halted at 1/10th of an acre. The main house was not damaged and there were no injuries. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is assisting Rural Metro with the cause determination.

Saturday around 6:48 a.m., a Colonial Valley fire originated inside a pump shed also involved a wood pile and approximately 1/10th acre of vegetation. Firefighters with Rural Metro, Grants Pass Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District converged on the scene on Granite Hill Road near Winona Road, and completed full extinguishment and mop-up operations.

 

Emergency crews were dispatched to traffic accidents and a grass fire over the weekend.

The first accident occurred near the intersection of Redwood Highway and Draper Valley Road in Selma Friday at 12:25 p.m. The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the Oregon State Police responded to the two-vehicle incident.

Two individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were subsequently transported for medical attention. OSP conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

Then, Saturday at 10:45 p.m., a single-vehicle rollover traffic accident occurred on Redwood Highway near Reeves Creek Road in Cave Junction. Again, IVFD, AMR, and OSP promptly responded to the incident.

One individual was transported to the hospital via ground ambulance. OSP lead the investigation into this matter.

Lastly, Sunday around 1:32 a.m., IVFD and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to a reported grass fire in the 5500 block of Caves Highway in Cave Junction.

Upon arrival, units encountered a 20x20 foot fire in light grass, which was slow-moving. The incident was effectively managed by the units present on the scene, and the fire was successfully extinguished and mopped up. An investigation will be conducted by ODF.

 

Saturday, fire crews continued forward progress on containment lines on the East Evans Creek Fire, with more than 200 feet of mop-up adjacent to the fire perimeter. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, firefighters continued overnight patrolling for any signs of smoke. The fire is 15,580 acres and 66% contained. Monday at 6 a.m. ODF's Complex Incident Management Team 1 will transfer command of the fire to Florida Complex Incident Management Team 1. Weather today will bring elevated fire conditions with temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s and breezy winds. Firefighters will watch for changes in fire behavior and be prepared for any new fire starts in the area. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-109, JAC-124, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149, JAC-158, and JAC-203-B.

 

Firefighters continued securing and mopping-up the East Evans Creek Fire perimeter yesterday, while improved accuracy in mapping showed the reduced acreage for the incident at 15,580 acres with 46% containment. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews overnight continued mopping up adjacent to the control line, gridding for hot spots or visible smoke. Today, operations will continue increasing mop-up depth along the perimeter. Seven helicopters are assigned to the incident, available to support ground resources for aerial reconnaissance and water drops. Temperatures in the upper 80’s, improved relative humidity and shifting winds are expected to create elevated fire conditions today. Traffic is heavy along the roadways in the fire area as crews continue to patrol and mop-up the fire edge, use caution when traveling the area around the fire. Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 1 is transitioning command of the fire to a Florida Complex Incident Management Team on Monday at 6 a.m. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-109, JAC-124, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149, JAC-158, and JAC-203-B.

 

A woman smoking outside the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce was arrested on a Fentanyl Possession warrant by police.

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department were dispatched to 1995 NW Vine Street following a report of two women in front of the caveman on the property. One of them was sitting and rocking, the other was bent over and smoking something out of tin foil.

Officers arrived and contacted Shannon Dendy, who was found in possession of less than one gram of fentanyl following a consent search. She was also found to be wanted on a police department warrant for Fentanyl Possession.

Dendy was trespassed from the Chamber property, and her warrant was confirmed. She was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged for her warrant and misdemeanor Fentanyl charge.

 

Two suspects were lodged in jail for warrants by the Josephine County Sheriff's Department Thursday afternoon.

The first suspect, Kristle Smart, was located walking northbound on U.S. Highway 199 near E Hanby Lane. She was known by law enforcement to be wanted on an active Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.

Smart was taken into custody and transported to the Adult Jail Facility to be lodged. Due to a lack of resources at the jail, she was then released.

One other suspect, Juan Carlos Granados-Gonzalez, was taken into custody around 2:22 p.m. and lodged in jail after his two warrants were confirmed. He was wanted out of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for DUII, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, and Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

Granados-Gonzalez also had a Grants Pass Police Department warrant charging him with Assault, three counts of Felony Strangulation Constituting Domestic Violence, and Domestic Menacing. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail at 2:41, then posted bail by 5:33 p.m.

 

Emergency crews were dispatched today around 12:22 p.m. to a fire that occurred at the intersection of S Redwood Highway and Caves Highway in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District promptly responded to a campfire located behind the Chevron station.

Firefighting units successfully extinguished the fire, ensuring no threat to the surrounding wildland. ODF is conducting an investigation into the incident.

 

A man was arrested by Grants Pass Police after he was caught trying to steal merchandise from Walmart.

Dispatch was notified by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry Lane store that the theft suspect had been apprehended, and identified himself as Jeremiah Bentley. He had reportedly attempted to conceal $8.40 worth of merchandise in his pants before exiting the store.

He had passed all points of sale without attempting to pay, after which loss prevention stopped Bentley. He was cooperative and returned the merchandise. Upon arrival, officers took him into custody by 6:28 p.m.

Bentley was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Third Degree Theft. He was given a 24 hour ban from the store, then released on his own recognizance.