Local News

Loss Prevention with Fred Meyer reported a trespassing complaint to dispatch Thursday afternoon.

The suspect, Seryne Martin, was in the fitting rooms when the report was made around 3:32 p.m. Loss Prevention requested she be trespassed from the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store.

Martin had a warrant out for her arrest charging her with Hindering Prosecution. Grants Pass Police arrived and positively identified her. A consent search yielded controlled substances in Martin's possession, as well as a debit card that wasn't in her name.

Martin claimed the card was given to her willing, so it was logged as found property. A field test revealed the substances in her possession to be fentanyl, and she was subsequently taken into custody.

Officers lodged Martin in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance, her warrant, and a detainer requested by her Parole Officer.

 

Grange Co-op Loss Prevention witnessed a woman shoplifting Thursday.

At 9:02 a.m., the suspect, Hope Hoover, was taken into custody by Loss Prevention and held at the 1710 W Schutzwohl Lane store until officers with Grants Pass Police arrived.

Hoover admitted to concealing and not paying for $151 worth of merchandise from the store. Officers contacted her Parole Officer, and a detainer was requested. Hoover was taken into custody.

She was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for her detainer and a charge of Theft in the Second Degree.

 

A 65-year-old Central Point man driving a passenger truck struck and killed a 48-year-old man Wednesday evening in Central Point. The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team is investigating the incident that occurred in the crosswalk at the Interstate 5 Exit 33 northbound on-ramp. Dispatch received a report of a pedestrian struck at approximately 5:39 p.m. on Wednesday. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Central Point Police Department (CPPD), Jackson County Fire District 3, and Mercy Flights responded to the scene. The vehicle involved was a 2022 GMC Sierra. Mercy Flights transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased approximately one hour after the crash. The victim was from the Las Vegas area. JCSO deputies on scene requested a STAR Team callout to conduct a full investigation. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours while the investigation was conducted, and Jackson County Roads assisted with traffic control.

 

A traffic accident occurred on Rockydale Road at Sherier Road in Cave Junction Thursday.

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to the reported incident at 6:30 p.m.

While units were en route, the caller advised dispatch that the individual involved had departed the scene in another vehicle.

Upon arrival, apparatus confirmed there were no individuals at the location.

The vehicle was subsequently flagged, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was notified for its removal.

 

Former Commissioner John West is pursuing separate cases against Jay Meredith and Jonian "JJ" Scofield respectively.

The Daily Courier reports West sued Meredith, one of the leaders of the campaign that engineered West's recall from office, and Scofield, former head of Josephine County's Human Resources department. He accused the pair of defamation and abuse of process.

After briefly dropping Scofield from the complaint, West last week filed a new defamation complaint against Scofield concerning a social media post and is asking for $2 million.

In his initial complaint, West accused Meredith of authoring a "dossier" in support of the recall petition that West says included false claims. He accused Meredith and Scofield of "conspiring" with others to file an extensive series of frivolous complaints against him with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to "manufacture claims against West that he was a serial lawbreaker" for the recall.

West said both men had personal, ulterior reasons for wanting to recall him from office.

 

As cold temperatures linger across the region, Pacific Power is reminding customers of a few simple adjustments they can make at home that can help them stay warm while also reducing their energy bill.

To help customers get started, Pacific Power recommends setting the thermostat at 68°F when you’re home and awake is recommended. You can close window coverings at night to reduce drafts, and seal air leaks with caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows.

Clean or replace furnace filters monthly during the heating season, use space heaters sparingly and safely, and use appliances during off-peak hours. This helps reduce strain on the grid and can help customers manage their bill.

Pacific Power offers a range of energy assistance programs, including income-qualified discounts, weatherization support and resources for customers managing high bills. For more information, visit PacificPower.net/Assistance or call 888-221-7070.

 

Authorities responded to a multi-vehicle incident this morning.

At 07:54 a.m., an on-duty Medford Police detective viewed the three-vehicle crash at the 300 block of South Columbus between 10th and Prune which impacted traffic flow.

Medford Fire Department and Mercy Flights responded to the scene to provide medical care. Two patients were transported for treatment.

Traffic on South Columbus was briefly impacted during the response. The roadway has now been cleared and the case is currently under investigation.

 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in November and December, according to a release from the Oregon Employment Department.

In December, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 2,200 jobs, following a gain of 800 jobs, as revised, in November. December’s gains were largest in professional and business services (+1,100 jobs) and government (+500). Losses were largest in construction (-2,500 jobs); retail trade (-900); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-900).

Professional and business services added 1,900 jobs during the last two months of 2025. Each of its three component industries rose between October and December, with administrative and waste services growing the fastest (+900 jobs, or 0.9%).

Construction cut 3,000 jobs during the last two months of 2025. At 113,900 jobs in December, it is close to its spring level, and slightly below its three-year average of 116,900 jobs during 2022 through 2024.

Holiday hiring in retail trade was 1,200 jobs below the normal seasonal pattern during the last two months of the year. It employed 199,200 in December, which was 11,300 jobs, or 5.4%, below three years prior.

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities cut 1,400 jobs during November and December. It employed 78,200 in December, which was close to its three-year average of 78,500 jobs during 2022 through 2024.

 

The Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 meeting today was conducted online only.

Commissioner Barnett stated this was due to documented safety concerns involving credible threats directed at an elected official. There was no quorum of the board so no business could be conducted.

One more meeting with interviews and an appointment on the agenda is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. and will be held in the BCC Conference Room. The meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.