Local News

Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Wildland Fire Service officials issued restrictions on certain activities on public lands in Southwest Oregon to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.

The public is reminded to visit BLM Oregon/Washington’s fire restriction webpage to see what fire restrictions are in effect for the area you are planning to go to. As the weather warms up, fuels are rapidly drying out, and firefighters are responding to more fires.

Here are some of the actions you can take to prevent wildfires while on public lands: If you have a campfire, you are required to have a gallon of water or a 2.5 pound fire extinguisher and a shovel. Make sure your fire is “dead out”. While traveling in a motor vehicle, visitors must have one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher.

According to officials, smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on roads or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material. Power saw users must have a shovel and an 8-ounce (or larger) fire extinguisher and must maintain a fire watch for at least one hour after saw use.

Lastly, fireworks are prohibited on BLM public lands, along with exploding targets, metal targets, and firing tracer or incendiary devices.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District were dispatched to a small vehicle fire and a reported grass fire in Cave Junction on Friday and Saturday respectively.

The vehicle fire occurred May 15th at 1:12 p.m. at 305 South Redwood Highway. Crews were dispatched to the blaze located in the Speedy Mart's parking lot. The fire was extinguished, and no injuries were reported.

Then, on May 16th at 1:12 a.m. I.V. Fire responded to a reported grass fire in the 1000 block of Dick George Road in Cave Junction.

Units arrived and determined the incident to be a small trash fire, which was subsequently extinguished. A violation notice was issued in connection with this event.

IVFD reminds the public that burning is strictly prohibited at all times, both day and night.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives investigated a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian that occurred Saturday in the Gold Hill area.

Deputies responded to a call for a man on Access Road at 3:12 a.m. near Jackson County Fire District 3 Gold Hill Station and Blackwell Road. Medics were dispatched, but the 47-year-old man died from injuries before they arrived.

The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to assist the investigation. Next-of-kin has been notified. An arrest has been made in the case, according to the Sheriff's Office's Facebook page.

 

An officer with Grants Pass Police arrested a woman known to be trespassing at the Motel 6 for Meth Possession.

Brittany Adams was recognized at the 1800 NE 7th Street location by the officer that had previously trespassed her from the motel May 5th. She was contacted and arrested for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Adams consented to a search, which revealed a tooter, a small zip baggie containing a white crystal-like substance, and burnt foils in her jacket pocket. The substance in the baggie field tested presumptive positive for meth.

Her parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was placed on Adams. She was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for her criminal trespass charge, Meth Possession, and her detainer.

 

Two suspects were arrested Thursday by Grants Pass Police for Methamphetamine Possession charges, with one additionally charged with theft after the two were reported to be in a gated trash can.

Dispatch learned the suspects had been in the trash can before leaving the 162 NE Beacon Drive location, closing the gate behind them on their way out. The two were noticed 20 minutes prior to the 911 call.

Officers checked the area and took both Sage Torgerson and Demetrius Hughes into custody at 5 p.m. They had drug paraphernalia in plain view at the time of contact, which field tested positive for meth.

According to the police report, Hughes had an active and serviceable warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for Second Degree Theft. Both were lodged in jail on their respective charges and warrant.

 

A man holding a sign outside the entrance of Albertsons was arrested for two Grants Pass Police Department warrants Thursday afternoon.

An officer with the police department observed the suspect in the parking lot of the 1690 Allen Creek Road business, and soon contacted him outside the nearby Taco Bell. He was identified as Bumpus McPhumpus Angeledes, and found to be wanted on two active and serviceable warrants.

Charges against Angeledes included Felon in Possession of a Weapon, and Fentanyl Possession. He was arrested, transported, and then lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. A backpack in his possession was submitted into evidence.

 

Voter Turnout for the May 19th 2026 Primary Election shows a participation rate of 17.44%.

According to the latest update as of Thursday at 4:30 p.m., the grand total of ballots received are 12,253, with a total of 11,894 accepted thus far.

According to the county website, the schedule for election reporting will begin after 8 p.m. Tuesday the 19th, with results broadcast on KAJO that evening. The next result reports are scheduled to be posted May 27th and June 10th by 5 p.m.

Certified results will be posted no later than June 15th by 5 p.m. This schedule is subject to change. Unofficial results will be posted at results.oregonvotes.gov.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public help in locating a runaway boy. Dameian Ray left his home in the Murphy area May 3rd at midnight. He was wearing sweats and a sweater, and is known to always wear a hat. He's described as a 5'11" white male weighing 120 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. Please call the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123 with any information you may have on his whereabouts. Reference Case #26-13225.

 

The deadline to purchase a paver for the Owl Plaza is June 1st at 5 p.m.

For just $250, people wishing to add their personal touch to the Owl Plaza can purchase a brick with up to three lines of text engraved on a brass plaque and embedded in the brick. The bricks will form part of the patio base of the Owl Plaza near the 5th and H Street sidewalks.

Approximately 470 bricks are expected to be available for purchase. Civic groups and businesses headquartered in Josephine County are also eligible to purchase a paving brick. For this campaign, the City is restricting the lines of text to names only, not slogans, quotes, or phrases of any kind.

The City reserves the right to refuse submitted text if it deems it inappropriate and will notify people and give them the option to edit the submission. Refunds will be issued if an appropriate compromise cannot be reached.

Visit www.grantspassoregon.gov/FormCenter to fill out the form online, or come to Suite 202 at City Hall to fill out a paper form and make your payment. For more information, call 541-450-6014.