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GPPD Reminds Parents, Juveniles of Oregon Curfew Laws and Ordinances

The Grants Pass Police Department is reminding parents and juveniles of Oregon's curfew laws and local ordinances.

The purpose of these rules is to keep minors safe during overnight hours when crime may be more likely and to deter late-night disruptions. Police have highlighted the essential parts of the curfew rules and encourage persons to review Oregon Revised Statutes and the City of Grants Pass Ordinance for more details or information.

Oregon Revised Statutes 419C.680 prohibits minors from being in any public places, such as roadways and parks, between midnight and 4 a.m. There are exceptions for minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, engaged in a lawful activity which requires being in a public place, or being an emancipated minor. The statute also prohibits parents or guardians from allowing minors to violate the state law.

The City of Grants Pass has an ordinance which is broader in time limits. Ordinance 5.60.010 restricts minors from being in public places between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Parents and guardians need to be accountable for ensuring minors in their care and custody are safely in their custody during these times unless a lawful exception applies. Appropriate enforcement will apply in repeated incidents involving the same minor out unlawfully during curfew hours. However, in most cases, education will be the goal of any contact with minors.

Posted on 7/29/26 11:19AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Shoplifter for Theft, Trespassing, and Meth Possession

A Walmart shoplifter was apprehended by Grants Pass Police and lodged for charges including theft and methamphetamine possession.

Dispatch was notified Tuesday by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry lane store that a man in black clothing had taken a pair of boots and some clothing and put them in his backpack. He was then seen around 11:54 a.m. running to the nearby Arby's.

The suspect proceeded towards Fred Meyer and reportedly didn't use force when taking the merchandise, despite previous aggressive behavior with staff. Officers were able to locate the suspect, identified as Logan Diaz, in the Fred Meyer parking lot.

He was taken into custody for the theft totaling almost $127. He also admitted to the theft and to stealing additional items. The merchandise was returned to Walmart, and Diaz was lodged for Second Degree Theft and First Degree Trespass.

A search of his backpack revealed a needle and tooters, one of which field tested positive for meth. During the intake process at the jail, officers identified something Diaz was attempting to hide in his mouth as a small rinse bag.

It also tested positive for the presence of meth, so an additional charge of Meth Possession was added. According to jail logs, the charges have not been filed against Diaz by the District Attorney.

Posted on 7/29/26 11:11AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Man Indicted, Lodged on 12 Child Sex Abuse Charges

A report of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on a mobile device led to the arrest of a 29-year-old Medford man. A Jackson County Grand Jury returned an indictment Tuesday on all charges. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team and Medford Police Department had arrested the suspect Thursday, July 23rd at a residence in the 800 block of Bennett Avenue. The suspect, Jonathan Daniel Marquez, 29, of Medford, is charged with two counts of First Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse, and 10 counts of Second Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. SOCET began their investigation after MPD received a report of CSAM on a mobile device which led to subpoenas, followed by a search warrant at the residence. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force assisted in the investigation.

Posted on 7/29/26 10:45AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Approved IGA's Contracts, Invoices, Met in Executive Session at Workshop

The Board of Commissioners approved intergovernmental agreements, contracts, and invoices during their County Administration Workshop. Public Work's requested Advisory Board Appointments to three local agencies: Rogue Valley Commission on Transportation, Solid Waste Agency, and the Middle Rogue Metropolitan Planning Organization. The board approved the request, and the purchase of four Operation Division Replacement trucks. Also approved was an amendment reflecting a cost increase on the Wolf Creek Bridge project set for 2027. Public Works will pick up about $284,000 of the cost. The board moved 3-0 for Transit's Designation of Signature Authority for the Finance Director. A Department of Human Services Intergovernmental Agreement providing rides to eligible individuals, with the marginal cost charged to the Federal Government was also approved. Following an Airport Update, an FAA Grant Agreement for $2,759,417 covering the bridge loan motion was unanimous. The grant will fund an approved Knife River Materials project contract.

Posted on 7/28/26 4:01PM by Alex Bauer

Trespassing Man Sleeping near Business Arrested by GP Police

A man sleeping near the Josephine County Historical Society was arrested early this morning by Grants Pass Police.

The suspect, Jeffrey Gunn, was located sleeping in an alcove by the 512 SW 5th Street location. Law enforcement knew he had been previously trespassed from the property, so Gunn was taken into custody without incident.

A consent search of his person was conducted, and officers located a pen tube with a white residue in his jacket pocket. The residue field tested positive for the presumptive presence of methamphetamine.

Gunn was charged with Second Degree Criminal Trespass and Possession of Meth. According to the police report, he was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 7/28/26 12:55PM by Alex Bauer

American Red Cross to Host Grand Opening for Medford Chapter Office

As the American Red Cross experiences a nationwide blood crisis, and responds to dozens of wildfires in the state, they invite the community to the opening of their new location to help serve southwest Oregon.

According to the organization, the public will be able to learn how the Red Cross opens and supports disaster shelters, installs free smoke alarms as part of their Home Fire Campaign, builds partnerships through their Community Adaptation Program, collects blood for local hospitals, and provides free training to volunteers.

The Red Cross Medford chapter office grand opening will take place Wednesday, July 29th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1550 Biddle Road. There will be guest speakers, photo opportunities, refreshments, and a free raffle.

Posted on 7/28/26 12:42PM by Alex Bauer

Strong-Armed Robbery Leads to Suspect's Arrest by Ashland Police

Ashland Police officers responded to a parking area behind a local business for a report of a strong-armed robbery that occurred Monday.

Witnesses reported that a man pulled a female victim from a car and stole her purse in the 2300 block of Ashland Street around 6:55 p.m. The man reportedly fled the scene through an open field toward Interstate 5.

Officers, assisted by the Talent Police Department, arrived on scene and began looking for the suspect. He was quickly located walking northbound on I-5 near mile marker 15.5.

Officer retraced the path of the fleeing suspect, finding some of the stolen property. Further investigation indicated that the suspect likely intended to steal the victim’s car as well. The victim did not report being injured.

Officers were able to obtain video evidence in support of the charges, and the suspect was identified as Michael Scott Todnem, 39, of Grants Pass. He was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Robbery in the Third Degree, Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle, Fourth Degree Assault, Harassment, Third Degree Theft, and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.

Any additional witnesses are asked to call the Ashland Police Department at 541-482-5211.

Posted on 7/28/26 11:41AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Man Camping by Railroad for Failure to Register, Trespass

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on trespass and failure to register charges after checking on an encampment near the railroad Monday.

Law enforcement located the suspect walking on the tracks near NW Sun View Place and NW Native Run Loop. He was contacted and identified as Jason Williams, and officers learned he was out of compliance with his sex offender registration.

Williams advised officers he was no longer living at his last listed residence, and he was promptly arrested. Police transported Williams to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for crimes of Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and Criminal Trespass in the First Degree.

He was trespassed from the railroad property and provided with a property receipt for his backpack. Due to a lack of jail resources, he was later released.

Posted on 7/28/26 11:33AM by Alex Bauer

Oregon Food Bank Awards Grant, Funds to Facilitate Williams Food Pantry

A $23,750 grant has been awarded to the Sugarloaf Community Association which will go to facilitate the Williams Food Pantry.

According to the association, the grant comes from the Oregon Food Bank. It provides the essential start-up funding needed to establish the Williams Food Pantry as a sustainable, community-operated partner agency.

It will support staffing, food transportation, storage improvements, and the equipment needed to serve local families reliably. By strengthening local capacity, the pantry will be better prepared to provide access to nutritious food, respond to emergencies like wildfires and severe weather, and help meet the rural community's needs.

The Williams Community Pantry is open every Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Williams Grange. It is made possible in partnership with the Josephine County Food Bank, Sugarloaf Community Association, and the Williams Grange.

Posted on 7/28/26 11:12AM by Alex Bauer

Systemic Search for Remaining Hotspots Continues on East Evans Creek Fire

Firefighters continued steady progress across the East Evans Creek Fire Monday, with crews focused on gridding the area to locate and extinguish any remaining hotspots. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, firefighters took advantage of overnight humidity recoveries to continue mop-up operations while an Uncrewed Aircraft System mapped remaining heat across the fire. The fire remains at 15,580 acres and 66% contained. Three chippers are working throughout the incident processing brush and small trees cut during suppression efforts. Crews are removing equipment from areas where it is no longer needed. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the fire area daily until further notice. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal. It compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters, and interferes with firefighting efforts. According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, all Level 1: BE READY to evacuate notifications for the East Evans Creek Fire have been canceled. All road closures are lifted but please be cautious as fire personnel are still in the area.

Posted on 7/28/26 8:18AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Seeking Help in Locating Missing Man

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is searching for a missing person. David Wright was last seen at Jubilation Fellowship Church in Murphy on July 21st around 8:00 a.m. He likely left the church on a white Genesis mountain bike wearing a tan short sleeve shirt and plaid shorts. He is described as a 71-year-old 5'9" Caucasian male with white hair, blue eyes, and weighing around 160 pounds. It is unknown where David may have gone, however, he was seen on security footage at Dollar General in Murphy around 9:30 a.m. that same day. Anyone with information on David’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office at 541-474-5123. Reference Case #: 26-20107

Posted on 7/28/26 6:02AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Yelling, Threatening Business Arrested by JoCo Sheriff's Deputies

A man caused a disturbance outside a business, leading to his arrest by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies.

Sunday around 5:13 p.m., the manager of the undisclosed business in the 2400 block of Rogue River Highway reported a man came in complaining about being injured. He was cussing, yelling, claiming his sister had stabbed him, and threatened to burn down the building.

Dispatch was then told the suspect had scared a customer away, and a request was made for him to be trespassed. The manager was advised to go back inside the business and lock all the doors. The suspect then reportedly walked away along the highway.

Deputies located and apprehended the suspect, identifying him as Nicholas Stephey. He was taken into custody for Second Degree Trespassing, Menacing, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was trespassed from the business, and lodged in jail.

Posted on 7/27/26 1:36PM by Alex Bauer

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