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No Gas Tax, Transportation Fee Hikes for Oregonians in January

The Republican-led group attempting to halt a scheduled increase to Oregon's transportation taxes officially submitted enough required signatures to allow voters the final say next November.

According to The Daily Courier, the Oregon Secretary of State's office announced Tuesday that it had, so far, verified 163,451 signatures of the 194,000 submitted by the campaign earlier this month, exceeding the required 78,000 signatures. An additional 57,000 signatures submitted Monday have yet to be verified.

This means Oregonians will officially no longer see a 6-cent increase to the state's 40 cents per gallon gas tax or hikes to title and registration fees in January. The state's 0.1% payroll tax for transit will not temporarily double as it was set to do.

The tax hikes had already been suspended while the secretary of state's office verified the signatures. Unless lawmakers act, the tax hikes will remain frozen pending a decision from voters next November.

Posted on 12/31/25 1:15PM by Alex Bauer

Commissioner Ron Smith Absent, Mandamus Action Filed by Citizen

Commissioner Ron Smith was absent from today's meeting, leaving Commissioner Chris Barnett to conduct the meeting for informational purposes only. No quorum was present, so no business or actions could be conducted regarding Interviews or an Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1. According to a statement read by Barnett, and confirmed by a call to the Commissioner's office, a mandamus action has been filed by a citizen, seeking judicial clarity on Smith's obligations. County legal counsel declined to take part in this meeting. Barnett continued, saying if this impasse continues beyond the 30 day period following former Commissioner Andreas Blech's resignation, "judicial or other lawful remedies may need to be explored to resolve a situation that threatens the continuity of county governance."

Posted on 12/31/25 10:49AM by Alex Bauer

Jackson County Sheriff's New Year’s Eve DUII Virtual Ride-Along Tonight

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) is inviting the public to join their virtual ride-along highlighting a multi-agency DUII High-Visibility Enforcement Patrol tonight starting at 8 p.m.

Photos and videos from DUII stops and other notable calls will be shared on JCSO's Facebook and Instagram Stories. This content will not be live, but rather will be posted after incidents occur.

JCSO and partner agencies will conduct a DUII patrol tonight to deter impaired driving and help keep roadways safe. Officers will work alongside deputies throughout the evening and into the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.

The grant-funded DUII High-Visibility Enforcement Patrol will focus on areas in Jackson County with higher rates of DUII arrests and crashes. Law enforcement will be actively watching for signs of impairment.

This effort is made possible through grant funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

As a reminder from JCSO and its partner agencies, driving under the influence of intoxicants is illegal and carries serious consequences, including jail time, fines, and license suspension. Even one drink can impair your ability to drive.

If you’re hosting a party where alcohol is served, ensure guests have a sober ride home. Always wear your seat belt, and if you suspect an impaired driver, call 911 immediately.

This collaboration includes the Oregon State Police, Medford Police, Ashland Oregon Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Eagle Point Police Department, Phoenix Oregon Police Department, the City of Talent Police Department, and the Rogue River Police Department.

Posted on 12/31/25 8:06AM by Alex Bauer

19.07% Voter Turnout So Far Shows Recall Election Ballot Return Report

The Ballot Return report for the Recall Election against Commissioner Chris Barnett shows a voter turnout of 19.07% so far.

The latest report, provided by County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels, shows a grand total of 13,435 ballots received. Of those, 11,821 ballots have been verified. There is a total of 70,448 eligible voters in Josephine County.

According to a notice on the county website, the schedule for January 6, 2026 Recall Election reporting begins that same Tuesday after 8 p.m., followed by further results January 14th and 23rd posted by 5 p.m., pending schedule changes dependent on receipt of ballots.

Certified Results will be posted no later than February 2nd, but no sooner than January 28th posted by 5 p.m.

Posted on 12/31/25 5:44AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Conducted Traffic Stop, Arrested Suspect for Felony Driving While Suspended

The Oregon State Police conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Holbrook Road and Merlin Road in Merlin Monday afternoon, resulting in an arrest for suspended driving.

The suspect, Steven Nielsen, 49, of Grants Pass, was pulled over for speeding at 1:10 p.m. He admitted to troopers that he was criminally suspended, which was confirmed after a status check.

Nielsen was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Felony Driving while Suspended, as well as a post-prison supervision sanction according to jail records.

His vehicle was towed from the scene.

Posted on 12/31/25 4:56AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Looking for Missing Woman

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing woman. Sarah Shaffer, 42, is 5'6" tall and 159 lbs. She has blondish brown hair but has been known to change her hair color, and her eyes are blue. Shaffer was last seen around Thanksgiving in the Selma area. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Sarah please call the Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123. Reference case #25-31011

Posted on 12/31/25 4:42AM by Alex Bauer

Grange Co-op Shoplifter Apprehended by GP Police

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a man shoplifting at the Grange Co-op Sunday.

At 2:19 p.m., dispatch was notified by an employee of the store that the suspect stole a pair of Ariat Boots valued at $170 and ran off.

The caller wanted to pursue charges for theft, and soon lost eyes on the man after identifying a van possibly associated with the suspect.

The caller pursued until the shoplifter left the property. Grants Pass Police officers were able to track down and detain the suspect, Jason Burkett, in McDonalds.

He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Theft and First Degree Criminal Trespass. The boots were returned to the Grange Co-op.

Posted on 12/30/25 11:29AM by Alex Bauer

18.13% Voter Turnout So Far Shows Recall Election Ballot Return Report

The Ballot Return report for the Recall Election against Commissioner Chris Barnett shows a voter turnout of 18.13% so far.

The latest report, provided by County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels, shows a grand total of 12,776 ballots received. Of those, 7,884 ballots have been verified. There is a total of 70,482 eligible voters in Josephine County.

According to a notice on the county website, the schedule for January 6, 2026 Recall Election reporting begins that same Tuesday after 8 p.m., followed by further results January 14th and 23rd posted by 5 p.m., pending schedule changes dependent on receipt of ballots.

Certified Results will be posted no later than February 2nd, but no sooner than January 28th posted by 5 p.m.

Posted on 12/30/25 10:56AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Intoxicated Fred Meyer Trespass Suspect

Fred Meyer was the site of an arrest for trespassing and meth possession Sunday evening.

Grants Pass Police responded to a complaint regarding a previously trespassed suspect returning to the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store around 7:47 p.m. She was reportedly under the influence, and Fred Meyer wanted to pursue a charge for trespassing.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, identified as Shani Fedosky, and arrested her for Second Degree Trespassing. During a consent search, a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue was discovered in her jacket pocket.

Several other small items of drug paraphernalia were found on her person, so officers charged Fedosky with Meth Possession as well. She was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 12/30/25 10:47AM by Alex Bauer

Tuesday's Commissioner Meeting Canceled per Request, Workshop on Wednesday

According to the Commissioner's Office, today's 10 a.m. meeting regarding the Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 was cancelled per Commissioner Chris Barnett's request. The board still has two meetings in the BCC Conference Room scheduled for December 31st and January 5th at 10 a.m. Both have Interviews and the Appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1 on the agendas. On Wednesday, the board will also meet for their County Administration Workshop to cover Department Business for Information Technology, Community Justice, Airports, and Human Resources. Board Business includes Josephine County Airports Advisory Board Bylaws, then, pending other matters, the meeting will adjourn. Wednesday's workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 12/30/25 9:39AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Two Suspects at Riverside Park for Drug Possession

Grants Pass Police arrested two suspects at the upper gazebo in Riverside Park during a proactive check.

This morning at 2:48 a.m., the officer walked up to a black Cadillac Escalade parked at 304 E Park Street and observed burnt foil in plain sight on the passenger Raven Hall's lap. The driver, Jasper Miller, was observed with his hands below his knees.

Upon exiting the vehicle, Miller dropped a bag of a white crystalized substance on the floorboard. The substance tested presumptive positive for the presence of Methamphetamine.

Hall then exited the vehicle, and a tooter with a burnt substance was underneath her. After being read her rights, she stated she used the foil in her lap for fentanyl. Further testing proved the presumptive positive presence of fentanyl.

Miller and Hall were both taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail; Miller for Meth Possession, and Hall for Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Posted on 12/30/25 8:36AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office Arrested Man Wanted on Three Out-of-County Warrants

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office took a man wanted on three warrants into custody Monday afternoon.

The suspect, Donald Jones, was stopped and detained at the corner of Merlin Road and Merlin Landfill Road. Deputies confirmed he had a misdemeanor warrant out of Lake County, and felony warrants from Coos County and the Oregon State Parole Board.

Jones's charges included Larceny, Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Contempt. He was also charged with Meth Possession and Felon in Possession of a Weapon at the scene.

Deputies lodged Jones in the Josephine County Jail on his warrants and charges. His vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 12/30/25 5:30AM by Alex Bauer

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