Local News

All three Commissioners are scheduled to meet for two Open and Executive Sessions Monday, as well as a County Administration Workshop Tuesday afternoon in the BCC Conference Room.

The board's 10 a.m. Monday meeting will be held regarding the Robert Brandes vs. Josephine County, Andreas Blech case. A second session will be held at 3 p.m. to consider the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against the Airports Manager. The meetings will adjourn following the Executive Sessions.

Tuesday's 1:30 p.m. workshop will begin with Department Business. The Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management will present a resolution in the matter of the Declaration of a Drought Emergency in Josephine County, and an amendment to the Securus Technologies Master Services Agreement.

Personnel Requisitions and Actions from Human Resources will be considered, as well as Appointments to the Compensation Committee, and Interim Emergency Management Director Compensation.

The Recreation department will bring a recommendation of Appointment to the Fair Board, and Public Works has a board order on the agenda in the matter of Proceedings to legalize a portion of Caves Camp Road.

The board will hear an IV Business Hub Economic Development Grant Agreement and Central Square Invoice from Finance, and Public Health will present the Oregon Health Authority 2025 Triennial Review.

Both meetings will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

Family Night Live, a three concert event series is heading to Tom Pearce Park this June.

According to a release, the event will take place June 11th, June 18th, and June 25th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. nightly. The weekly event series will bring the community together for themed evenings full of live music, children’s activities, and food trucks.

Artists performing include Cody Ponder on the 11th for Country Night, Trevor Hanks on the 18th for Hero Night, and The Lack Family for Dino-Might on the 25th.

Families can enjoy live music performances by the river, interactive kid’s attractions, themed activities each week, the playground, and food vendors. Guests 21 and older can also enjoy beverages from Weekend Beer Company.

The event series is sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank. For more information, call 541-474-5285.

 

The Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce is beginning preparations for Lemonade Day.

According to the Chamber Calendar and Lemonade Day website, registration is now open for any young entrepreneurs who want to learn how to start, own, and operate their own business. They will learn about business skills, financial literacy, goal setting, and teamwork throughout the course of the program.

This year's Lemonade Day will be held Saturday, August 8th, from Noon until 3 p.m. Sign your child or student up now by going to www.lemonadeday.org/grants-pass. For more information, call 541-956-4100. Businesses interested in sponsorships can visit business.grantspasschamber.org.

 

A woman was arrested on two out-of-county warrants following a medical episode Sunday morning.

Grants Pass Police observed the suspect, Megan Mitchell, walking northbound on 6th in front of the 7-Eleven. She was known by law enforcement to have two valid and serviceable warrants out of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Charges against Mitchell included Assault, Third Degree Theft, and a Computer Crime. Officers soon contacted her in front of Gates Furniture and Mattress and took her into custody.

Mitchell began having a medical episode while in the back of the patrol vehicle. She was unconscious, but breathing ok when AMR arrived and transported her to a hospital. She was medically released, then transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility on her warrants.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two suspects in separate cases at the same Safeway Sunday afternoon.

An employee of the 115 SE 7th Street store reported to dispatch Sunday afternoon that a violent suspect was threatening customers and refusing to leave the premises around 12:32 p.m. The suspect was described as having dark hair and wearing a gray pair of shorts.

The man reportedly stripped down for a brief moment before putting on the shorts, but the caller told dispatch they didn't personally witness the incident. The suspect became verbally aggressive after being told to leave the grocer.

Officers arrived and contacted Jake Thompson, identifying him seated in aisle four. He continued refusing to vacate the business, but was ultimately taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

Minutes later, at 12:42 p.m., Jonathan Bull was observed by law enforcement at the same Safeway. He was wanted on two warrants out of the Grants Pass Police Department for Possession of Methamphetamine and a Dangerous Drugs charge.

Bull was arrested at the scene, and a consent search located meth on his person. He was lodged in jail for his warrants and a Meth Possession charge.

 

The 34th Annual Rogue River Clean-Up is set for Saturday, May 16th, and community members from across the region are invited to help make a lasting impact on the health of the Rogue River.

The event will be hosted by the Josephine County Solid Waste Agency, and Stream Smart: A Rogue Basin Clean Water Project. Along with other local, state, and federal partners, this long-standing event brings together volunteers of all ages for a morning of stewardship followed by a celebratory gathering.

The public is encouraged to check in at Hog Creek County Park. Clean up will begin at 8 a.m. and run until Noon, with an after party taking place at Indian Mary County Park from Noon until 2 p.m.

Volunteers can help with riverside, roadside, park, and in-stream clean-ups, as well as invasive weed removal, all along the Rogue River corridor from Hog Creek County Park to the Grave Creek boat ramp.

Participants will be receive a commemorative Rogue River Clean-Up t-shirt or swag item, a day-use parking pass, and an entry into a prize drawing. Snacks and water will be provided, as well as a complimentary lunch served at Indian Mary County Park.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to both single, and two-vehicle incidents Saturday.

The first accident occurred at the intersection of South Redwood Highway and Caves Highway in Cave Junction around 11:35 a.m. Crews responded to the two-vehicle collision.

One individual sustained minor injuries and was subsequently transported for medical attention. Crews then responded to a single-vehicle accident in the 4800 block of Dick George Drive in Cave Junction at 1:26 p.m.

The vehicle had impacted a tree, and the occupant was in critical condition, requiring medical transport by Mercy Flights. The Sheriff's Office is conducting both investigations.

 

A man wanted on a warrant for 26 sex crimes was apprehended by Grants Pass Police Thursday. Officers assisted the Oregon Department of Justice in executing a search warrant at a home in the 200 block of SW J Street. The residence was cleared, and Jory Garibay was detained at 11:17 a.m. He was wanted on a Douglas County Sheriff's Office warrant for four counts of Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct, 18 counts of First Degree Encouraging Child Sex Abuse, and four counts of Luring a Minor. Garibay was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Officers arrested and lodged a man in jail after he was found rummaging through a delivery driver's pallet early this morning.

Grants Pass Police were dispatched to the Subway at 262 NE Agness Avenue. The driver called 911 during a delivery to the restaurant at 4:33 a.m., saying the suspect, later identified as Nicholas Knowles, seemed to be under the influence and was going through a delivery pallet.

He was described as wearing a pink shirt, socks, possibly a skirt, but no shoes. Dispatch was told the caller would remain inside the restaurant until officers arrived.

Police contacted Knowles, warning him for his behavior. His Parole Officer requested a detainer, and law enforcement took Knowles into custody. He was subsequently transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the detainer.