Local News

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives arrested a Medford man yesterday at a business in the 500 block of the Medford Center. The suspect, Evan James Sutherlin, 20, of Medford, is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. He is charged with First-Degree Rape, Third-Degree Sexual Abuse, and First-Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. The case started June 2nd, 2026, when deputies responded to a report of a then 19-year-old man sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in the Jacksonville area. From there, SVU detectives took over the investigation leading to his arrest. As SVU detectives continue their investigation, they believe Sutherlin may have more victims. Anyone with information is asked to call SVU Detective Jill Wenzel at 541-770-8928.

 

The Grants Pass City Council moved to keep a list of five comparator cities following a Logic Compensation Group Salary and Compensation Study.

Following a 6-2 vote favoring the motion during the 11:45 a.m. workshop, another motion for council to add an internal equity framework, costing an additional $5,000 failed.

A Blighted Building Code presentation regarding property maintenance and how to address the buildings via a Nuisance Ordinance, Building Codes, or a New Vandalism Grant was held. Staff will come back to council with a workshop scheduled to discuss vacant building regulations, nuisance code increases, and enforcement.

The council moved 5-3, per staff recommendation, to refinance the current $510,000 over the course of the next eight years for Police Headquarters. During a Meeting Agenda Discussion, the topic of Invocation at meetings was tabled for further discussion.

Public Comment at meetings will be left as is, while the Public Comment Advisory language will be tweaked for consistency. Matters from Mayor, Council, and Staff will be placed before the consent agenda.

 

A woman lying on the railroad tracks was arrested for trespassing by Grants Pass Police

Sunday at 7:52 p.m., two calls to dispatch reported the suspect was awake after having been asleep on the tracks at 201 NW F Street. One caller was told by the woman that she was going to move soon. She had a trash bag around her and soon began walking and stumbling away.

Police contacted her at the Grasshopper lot and given a downtown exclusion. She was identified as Brooke Mack, and taken into custody for Second Degree Trespass after admitting to being excluded from the downtown area August 11th. She was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility, and jail logs show her charge has not been filed by the District Attorney.

 

Officers responded to a reported overdose, leading to the arrest of one man for drug possession and evidence tampering.

According to the police report, law enforcement were inside the location in the 1800 block of NE Fairview Avenue Sunday afternoon assisting medics. The suspect, James Branson, presented himself, and insisted the incident was not drug related.

He was arrested on probable cause for Hit and Run Causing Property Damage, during which he removed a plastic bag from his pocket and concealed it under a brown jacket next to him. Officers found the bag which contained alprazolam, so Branson was charged with Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance and Tampering with Evidence.

He was subsequently transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his charges

 

Grants Pass Police lodged a man caught in the Morrison Centennial Park bathroom with methamphetamine in his possession Sunday.

A call to 911 reported a group of males were in the restroom smoking what was believed to be meth around 10:57 a.m. The suspects had a white van parked outside the bathrooms in the 1187 Rogue River Highway park.

Upon arrival of law enforcement, Justis Cory was contacted and found in possession of a piece of tin foil with a brown, sticky, burnt substance. He was read his rights, after which he admitted the substance was meth, and a field test proved his claim.

Cory was taken into custody for Meth Possession. His parole officer requested a detainer, and officers transported Cory to jail for lodging on his meth charge and detainer. He was also issued a 30 day park exclusion.

 

A man trespassed from the local Bottle Drop was arrested after being found in possession of methamphetamine.

Dispatch was notified Sunday around 9:16 a.m. that people were hanging out on the corner of Parkdale Drive and Rogue River Highway. The caller was told to call the non-emergency line, but the suspect on the scene had been trespassed from the property before.

Grants Pass Police responded and contacted the suspect, Daren Norrington, who had reportedly been at the 1040 Rogue River Highway property all morning. He was taken into custody and then found to be in possession of meth.

Officers transported Norrington to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Meth Possession.

 

The Board of Commissioners further postponed a Land Use Hearing for 30 days following new information from the appellant's side.

The continued hearing regarding property off Lower River Road in the Exclusive Farm Zone began at 10 a.m. Commissioner Colene Martin recused herself from deliberation, and the board heard further comments regarding the request for an appeal objecting to a decision denying the placement of a non-farm dwelling on the property.

It was requested on the appellant's side the non-farm permit be for a single home on a portion of the property that, according to a soil scientist analysis, was determined to have unsuitable soils for farming. The owner would relocate the proposed home site to the southern portion to align with state and county standards.

The opposition felt the new soil report troubling and that a review was necessary before moving forward. Counsel said a month would be adequate time for full review of the additional information, and the board postponed further discussion to September 21st.

 

The Board of Commissioners further postponed a Land Use Hearing for 30 days following new information from the appellant's side.

The continued hearing regarding property off Lower River Road in the Exclusive Farm Zone began at 10 a.m. Commissioner Colene Martin recused herself from deliberation, and the board heard further comments regarding the request for an appeal objecting to a decision denying the placement of a non-farm dwelling on the property.

It was requested on the appellant's side the non-farm permit be for a single home on a portion of the property that, according to a soil scientist analysis, was determined to have unsuitable soils for farming. The owner would relocate the proposed home site to the southern portion to align with state and county standards.

The opposition felt the new soil report troubling and that a review was necessary before moving forward. Counsel said a month would be adequate time for full review of the additional information, and the board postponed further discussion to September 21st.

 

Only 110 companies in the U.S. have achieved the rare distinction of making the Inc. 5000 list 10 or more times. Rentec Direct is one of three Oregon companies to reach that milestone.

Rentec Direct’s 10th consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000 highlights what the company has built over nearly two decades: a nationally recognized business that has grown organically and sustainably while remaining self-funded, independently owned and headquartered in Grants Pass.

On the 2026 list, Rentec Direct reported 40 percent three-year revenue growth alongside 18 percent employee growth.

In the 10 years of appearances on the Inc. 5000, the company has generated more than $93 million in revenue while remaining headquartered in Southern Oregon, expanded its workforce by 80% to 20 employees, increased its number of customers served nationwide by 116%, and contributed approximately $118,000 to charitable causes.

The Inc. 5000 ranks America’s most successful independent businesses, recognizing companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs and shaping the future of the economy.