Local News

Dispatch was alerted to a shoplifting report Tuesday, leading to a response from the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

The assistant manager of a business in the 100 block of Deer Creek Road called 911 saying a shoplifter ran out of the store across the street with stolen items. She was described to dispatch as having brown hair, tattoos on her face, wearing a leather vest, brown shirt, and tan pants.

Deputies were advised, and attempted to locate the suspect on the highway, and two nearby bridges. She was soon contacted at the 76 gas station and identified as Amanda Snow-Tursi. She was trespassed from the store for one year after having consumed a rotisserie chicken. A stolen 6-pack of beer was recovered and returned to the store.

Snow-Tursi was then cited to appear for Third Degree Theft, and released.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested one and cited another in separate Walmart shoplifting cases.

Tuesday at 11:12 a.m., loss prevention with the 135 NE Terry Lane store called 911 to report a man and woman were at the self-checkout skip scanning. The employee felt the value of all the items was about $1,000.

The man was described as wearing a black baseball cap and white t-shirt, while the woman had brown hair, and was wearing a blue Puma t-shirt. Both suspects were detained in the loss prevention office before the arrival of law enforcement.

Police contacted both individuals. The male suspect, Shane Shelton, admitted to committing the theft of about $259, while the female suspect denied it. Officers subsequently took Shelton into custody on a parole violation detainer, with charges of Second Degree Theft being referred for both suspects.

Shelton was lodged in the Josephine County Jail, and trespassed from the Walmart.

That afternoon at 2:50, loss prevention confronted Lacy Young Girard after she stole almost $60 worth of merchandise and passed all points of sale with the items concealed in her purse.

She was later contacted by arriving police officers, and admitted to the theft. She was issued a citation to appear in court, then released.

 

A summer of hands-on action along Oregon’s waterways wrapped up in September.

From May through September, the Waterway Cleanup Series, a partnership between SOLVE and Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES), supported 64 cleanup events across 10 counties, engaging over 1,400 volunteers who collectively removed over 24,000 pounds of litter from waterways and natural areas throughout the region.

The series brought volunteers to a wide range of waterways and natural areas, from the Clackamas River to the Rogue River and Johnson Creek. Among the largest events were the Down the Clackamas River Cleanup, which drew 161 volunteers; the 34th Annual Rogue River Cleanup, with 150 volunteers; and the Johnson Creek Cleanup, where 133 volunteers helped remove more than 7,000 pounds of litter.

Together, these efforts help address litter where it can have an impact far beyond the place where it is found. The impact of these efforts goes beyond the pounds of litter collected. For nine consecutive years, SOLVE and Clackamas Water Environment Services have partnered to support volunteer-led cleanups and connect volunteers to the relationship between litter, stormwater, and water quality.

From neighborhood cleanups to restoration projects, volunteers can find upcoming opportunities with SOLVE at solve.org.

 

The Board of County Commissioners approved two administrative policy revisions at their 9 a.m. Weekly Business Session.

Both the Social Media and Public Records Policies were updated to be more organized and better reflect the current understanding of State law. Motions to approve both revisions passed unanimously.

Also on the agenda was a resolution in the matter of affirming compliance with State and Federal Law, requesting the State address Counties' Federal Funding and False Claims Act exposure. The resolution draft is not intended to be voted on at this time. Continued discussion for public input will take place. It will be addressed at a future meeting.

Accountability, education, and a question about records requests were all brought up during public comment, and after approving the consent calendar, the meeting adjourned.

 

Applications are being accepted for three positions on the Committee on Public Art (CoPA). These are three-year positions.

CoPA works to engage the community and enrich public spaces by placing original artwork in the areas. The committee also provides the Grants Pass City Council with information about public art, creates opportunities for the placement of art in public locations, and promotes collaboration between city departments, artists, architects, developers, and property owners.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 2nd.

The Committee will review applications on Tuesday, December 8th, with the Grants Pass City Council making appointments Wednesday, December 16th.

 

The Josephine County Treasury and Tax Office will be the first in Oregon to offer a new online property tax payment option in 2027, allowing property owners an option to make monthly payments instead of a single lump-sum payment. According to a release, the County is contracting with Easy Smart Pay (ESP), and rollout is planned for early 2027. ESP allows participating property owners to spread their property tax obligation into scheduled monthly payments. ESP collects those payments throughout the year and submits the full property tax payment to the County before the applicable deadline, which potentially will give the taxpayer a 3% full-pay discount. Participation is completely voluntary, taxpayers who prefer the traditional payment options can continue using them with no changes.

 

9th Street will be closed to through traffic from Wharton Drive to Madrone Street this Saturday, October 10th, from 5 am to 10 pm. This to accommodate the Pride of the Northwest Marching Band Competition at Grants Pass High School.

Traffic will be diverted east onto Wharton and Madrone. During that same time, the westbound lane of A Street between 9th and Dean Drive will be closed, and traffic will be diverted south via Baker Drive. Dean Drive will be closed from A Street to Olive Street, and Olive will be closed from Dean to 8th Street. Flint Street will be closed to through traffic at A Street.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through. For more information, call 541-450-6000.

 

Tuesday at approximately 10 a.m., Oregon State Police detectives were assisting the Medford Police Department with follow-up related to a missing person investigation. While at a property in the 10,000 block of Williams Highway, the OSP detectives made contact with an individual who later retreated inside the residence, and shot at detectives. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Grants Pass Police Department responded, and the incident developed into a barricaded subject situation. Once the residence was secured, two individuals were found deceased inside the home. No law enforcement officers were injured. Due to the involvement of the responding agencies, Medford Police were requested to take over the investigation, which remains ongoing. Questions regarding the incident should be directed to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Applications are being accepted for four positions on the Budget Committee.

According to the City website, the committee receives and reviews the Recommended Budget and approves a Budget for Council’s consideration.

Half of the City of Grants Pass Budget Committee members are elected officials, and half are applicants from the community at large. The committee representation welcomes divergent views, and special qualifications include being residents and electors of the City.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 2nd.

Candidates will be interviewed by the City Council December 14th, and appointed Wednesday, December 16th.