Local News

Following recent light rainfall and a trend of cooler temperatures, including continued lower overnight temperatures, the fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District in Jackson and Josephine counties is decreasing from “extreme” to “high” effective immediately. According to ODF, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level is also decreasing from Level 3 to Level 2. The recent change in weather has helped ease fire conditions across the district. However, fire season remains in effect, and restrictions remain in place, including the prohibition on outdoor debris burning. Vegetation can dry quickly following rainfall, and fires remain very possible. The public is asked to continue following all current fire prevention regulations and use caution when working outdoors. The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and the updated restrictions affects the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters and more.

 

Routine, monthly water quality testing results indicate that the following creeks have exceeded state bacteria standards for contact recreation.

According to the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, the affected creeks include:
- Ashland Creek near Bear Creek Greenway (Ashland)
- Bear Creek between Blue Heron Park and Fern Valley Road (Phoenix)
- Griffin Creek near Beall Lane (Central Point)
- Jackson Creek at Dean Creek Road (Central Point)

Residents are asked to use caution when in contact with any waterways and especially to avoid ingestion and contact with open wounds. Very young children should be fully supervised when playing in the water to avoid swallowing the water. It is important to note that contact with any water body carries some level of risk.

Possible causes of high levels of bacteria in the creeks include pet waste, livestock waste, wild animals, leaking septic systems, illegal dumping from portable toilets or RVs, or any other activity that results in the discharge of fecal matter directly into creeks or through storm drains.

Citizens are asked to notify the appropriate agency of any concerns. Failing septic systems and other pollutants discharged into streams should be reported to the Department of Environmental Quality, 1-888-997-7888.

More information is available from RVCOG’s Natural Resources Department, visit http://rvcog.org/what-wedo/natural-resources/

 

The County Commissioners approved an ordinance amending County land from Farm to Residential, and amended the zoning map from Farm Resource to Rural Residential and Goal Exception during their weekly business session.

The subject property is identified as Tax Lot 1400, owned by Rose Butte LLC. A second Public Hearing was held at the 9 a.m. meeting, with the board approving 3-0 the adoption of a supplemental budget and the making of appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

The board was unanimous in approval of two board orders regarding Personnel Policy Manual Revisions for Travel and Hiring. Pre-authorization for overnight travel only would be required, with the revision allowing for pre-authorization for regular meetings within the state. Hiring revisions will require position vacancies be advertised nationwide or as widely as possible, and detailed background and criminal checks prior to hiring.

A public hearing regarding the District Attorney and Various Fees was set for September 16th, 2026. Topics brought to the board during public comment included education in the community, appreciation for packet releases to the public, radio infrastructure in the County, and horseracing concerns. The consent calendar was approved, and the meeting adjourned.

 

Medford Police officers responded around 8:45 p.m. Sunday to a reported armed robbery at the West Main Street Walgreens. Store employees confronted a male and female who were attempting to leave the store with a shopping cart full of unpaid merchandise. During the confrontation, the female suspect reportedly produced a handgun, pointed it at an employee, and threatened to shoot. The suspects left the area in a white SUV with a black roof rack. Responding officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects or vehicle. Store security footage corroborated employee statements, and investigators obtained video and still images of the suspects and involved vehicle. Today at approximately 12:30 p.m., an officer located the vehicle near Sage Road and Highway 238. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled at a high rate of speed. Officers initiated a pursuit. The vehicle traveled through several areas before entering Interstate 5 northbound. Police were assisted by the Oregon State Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department

 

After tabling Legal Department Business, the Board of Commissioners approved orders and requests during their workshop.

Information Technology gave a progress report, stating communications material for the Firewise Defensible Spaces project has wrapped up, as well as the feedback period for the Strategic Communications Plan. Social Media and Records policies will be sent to Legal Counsel, and an AI Project extension request was approved by the board.

A motion passed 3-0 approving a rental agreement renewal for a Community Corrections transitional housing program property, as was an application for Real Property Tax Exemption. The lease on the property is $1500. In state travel to attend the Oregon Association of Community Corrections Directors meetings passed unanimously.

The board approved an order for Establishment of the Josephine County Economic Development Grant from Finance, tabled the order accepting By-Laws, and approved without objection a New Economic Development Grant Application.

Commissioner Gary Richardson will propose a process and timeline to 4H for Agricultural Education Grants, then bring further information to the board. An Outstanding Resource Water Designation for the Illinois River and Rough & Ready Creek was approved without objection.

All Human Resources personnel actions were approved. A request from the Regent Rogue Applegate Daughters of The American Revolution to bring the American Revolution Experience display to the Anne G. Basker Auditorium in December will be considered. Lastly, it was announced the Whitehorse Park re-opening, scheduled for September 2nd, is canceled due to rain.

 

Grants Pass Police cited and trespassed a suspect in a Walmart Theft case Monday morning.

Steven Dowell was detained by law enforcement at 8:05 a.m. He had concealed just over $8 worth of food in his backpack and passed all points of sale at the 135 NE Terry Lane store.

He was cooperative with police, and after being taken into custody and warned for trespassing at the Walmart, officers issued him a citation to appear for a Third Degree Theft charge. He was then released from custody.

 

A Best Western employee reported a suspect trespassing to dispatch, who was then arrested for Fentanyl Possession by Grants Pass Police.

Monday at 10:24 p.m., the suspect was reportedly sitting and sleeping in an outside hallway at the 111 NE Agness Avenue location. The employee requested the suspect be trespassed.

The suspect, Bobbie Jo Langdon, was contacted by arriving officers, and found with paraphernalia in plain view. A usable amount of a white powdery substance was found inside a piece of foil. Langdon admitted the substance was fentanyl, and a field test of the substance returned presumptive positive.

Officers advised Langdon she was under arrest, transported her to jail, and lodged her for Possession of Fentanyl. She was also trespassed from the Best Western.

 

A traffic stop conducted by Oregon State Police Monday resulted in the arrest of a suspended driver.

Troopers pulled over a gray Toyota 4-Runner at 9:24 p.m. at the corner of NE 6th Street and NE Jackson Street. A violation had been observed, and the driver was discovered to be operating the vehicle while having been revoked of her license since 2009.

She was identified as Dawn Bowen-Barnes, and troopers took her into custody. The vehicle was taken by her husband, while she was transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for a Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended or Revoked charge.

Bowen-Barnes was later released due to a lack of resources at the jail.

 

Grants Pass Police lodged a shoplifting suspect wanted on two serviceable warrants this morning.

Loss prevention at WinCo had the suspect in custody when alerting dispatch to the incident around 4:36 a.m. Officers arrived at the scene and identified the suspect as Christian Bradley. Probable cause was developed for a Third Degree Theft charge, after he attempted to steal over $77 worth of goods.

Law enforcement also found Bradley was wanted on warrants out of the Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Charges against him included Possession of Fentanyl, and First Degree Burglary. He was trespassed from the 231 NE Terry Lane Grocer, and promptly taken into custody.

The warrants were cleared, and officers transported Bradley to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for his warrants and Theft charge.