Local News

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man smoking from a glass pipe near a Les Schwab Wednesday morning.

Law enforcement observed the suspect, Lance Cardinal, and another individual on the south side of the 320 Union Avenue business with personal items, garbage, and food strewn about the property. Cardinal was approached and found to be openly smoking from a pipe with white residue.

A field test was conducted, returning positive for the presence of methamphetamine. Both individuals were trespassed from the Les Schwab at 8:24 a.m., and Cardinal was taken into custody.

He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Meth, Offensive Littering, and a detainer per his parole officer.

 

Following a Legal Counsel Update Executive Session, the Board of Commissioner's attorney was advised to proceed with the Gabbert et al vs. Josephine County et al case regarding a potential settlement of Surplus Litigation.

The board proceeded with a public comment agenda item concerning the US Forest Service, and a proposed rule to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Commissioner Ron Smith provided a draft proposal to Legal Counsel and will send a copy to the board to potentially open up more economic benefits regarding timber and mining.

The meeting adjourned, and the board will reconvene in the BCC Conference room at 2 p.m. for an Executive Session for consideration or decision regarding the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent.

 

Another day of rainfall and unseasonably cool temperatures has prompted a further decrease in fire danger across Jackson and Josephine counties. As of 10 a.m. today (Sept. 3rd), the fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District have decreased from “high” to “moderate”. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 2. Continued rainfall throughout the past day, combined with unseasonably cool temperatures, has further reduced fire danger across the district. While these conditions have allowed for a decrease to moderate fire danger, fire season remains in effect and vegetation can dry quickly once warmer, drier weather returns. The public should continue to follow all current fire prevention regulations and use caution during outdoor activities. Outdoor debris burning remains prohibited. 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. The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal and other spark-emitting equipment will now be allowed until 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m. daily. Mowing green lawns is allowed at any time.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance in locating missing and endangered resident David Lee Sparks, 74, of Grants Pass. He was last seen at approximately 9 a.m. Wednesday, at 195 Terry Lane, where he asked a relative for gas money for his truck. When he had not returned home by 5:30 p.m., family members became concerned. Mr. Sparks is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and is currently without his required medication, which places him at increased risk. He also experiences rapid memory loss, making it urgent that he be located quickly. He is described as 6’1” tall, approximately 132 lbs. He has long shoulder length gray hair, a long gray beard, and he wears metal frame bi-focal glasses. Common attire includes an American flag cowboy hat, suspenders, and blue jeans. He drives a 2004 light gray Ford F 150 extended cab with Oregon license plate 475 BJH. Anyone who has seen Mr. Sparks or has information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the Grants Pass Police Department at 541-450-6260 or call 911 if he appears to be in danger.

 

Josephine County District Attorney Josh Eastman has concluded a review of the officer-involved shooting that occurred on August 7th, 2026, at 100 NE Midland Avenue.

According to a release, because of the ongoing investigation and potential charges for Mr. Belardi related to this incident, the District Attorney’s Office is limited in the information it can disclose.

The District Attorney is charged with the duty of reviewing incidents where deadly
physical force is used by police and citizens to determine if the use of force was consistent with Oregon law.

Under Oregon Revised Statute 161.242, and after review of the officers’ reports, the body camera video, the civilian witness statements, and the ancillary parts of this investigation, Officers Jason McGinnis and Travis Draeger, as well as Corporal Brook Johnson’s use of deadly force was wholly justified. No further action in this matter is anticipated nor merited.

 

A high-speed head-on crash seriously injured two drivers Saturday night on West Griffin Creek Road in rural Medford.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 34-year-old woman for DUII after a trauma blood draw showed a Blood Alcohol Content of .20%, two and a half times the legal limit.

Due to the severity of the crash, the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded. The preliminary investigation indicates on August 29th at 7:41 p.m., the suspect was driving a 2025 Toyota RAV4 at a high rate of speed when she crossed into the oncoming lane for unknown reasons and struck a 2009 Toyota Highlander head-on.

Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were trapped inside their vehicles. Medford Fire extricated both patients and Mercy Flights transported them to a local hospital.

To address DUII crashes and other risks of impaired driving, JCSO will join local, state, and regional law enforcement agencies for a Multi-Agency High-Visibility DUII Enforcement Patrol throughout Labor Day Weekend. Additional deputies and officers will be on the road specifically looking for impaired drivers and working to keep our roads safe.

Plan ahead for a safe Labor Day weekend:
- Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare or taxi.
- If you plan to drink, give your keys to someone sober.
- If you’re hosting, make sure your guests have a safe and sober way home.
- If you see a suspected impaired driver on the road, call 911.

 

Homeland Security Investigations along with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team served a federal search warrant Wednesday morning in Medford. Investigators served the warrant after Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was purchased from a “Darknet” CSAM website. On scene, investigators interviewed potential witnesses and involved parties. Investigators are working to identify the suspect and refer criminal charges to the United States Attorney’s Office. Federal, State, and local law enforcement served the warrant at a residence in the 3000 block of Marilee Street in Medford. German investigators identified the potential Medford area suspect. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force for further evidence of child exploitation. Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

 

The Grants Pass City Council Wednesday night deferred a decision on an appeal of a UAB ruling and approved the purchase of a control system for the new water treatment plant. Councilors Seth Benham and Joel King were absent. The Council first delayed a public hearing on an appeal of the Urban Area Planning Commission's decision to deny the application of Eden Glen's Planned Unit development on Fruitdale Drive. The applicant asked for a variance for street width and length. The public hearing was rescheduled to September 16th. The applicant is proposing to development 20 townhouse.The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Control Systems NW to complete water system remote Supervisory Control and Date Acquisition upgrades. The current telemetry system is 26-years-old and is obsolete. It is important to complete this project prior to the completion of the water treatment plant to prevent requiring installation of the obsolete equipment into the new facility. The maximum fee is not to exceed $1,646,317. Two applicants were appointed to the Small Business Task Force. Logan Roberts was appointed in the Food & Beverage category and Rebekah Nugent in the Retail category. Police Chief Warren Hensman announced the hiring of a new parking enforcement officer.

 

Grants Pass Police pulled over a stolen vehicle early this morning, and lodged the driver in the Adult Jail Facility.

The traffic stop was conducted around 12:12 a.m. on a blue Toyota Tundra at the corner of NE Flint Street and NE A Street. The driver, Kyrin Greenwood, was cooperative during the stop after being observed not wearing a seatbelt and driving with no license plates or temporary registration.

It was determined by officers the vehicle was stolen, and Greenwood was driving while suspended with no emergent reason to be driving. She was issued for the violation, Driving Uninsured, and No Seatbelt.

Officers then took her into custody and lodged her in jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. The owner of the vehicle lot where the truck had been stolen arrived to retrieve it.