Local News

Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 62, in Josephine County Saturday. At 2:04 a.m., the preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet S10, operated by Annette Dea Dimmick, 34, of Grants Pass, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes for unknown reasons. Her vehicle struck a northbound Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by David Michael Jellison, 68, of Alliance, Ohio, head-on. Dimmick was declared deceased at the scene. Jellison and his passenger, Ceejay Clay, 29, of Warren, Ohio, suffered reported minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital. The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, and ODOT.

 

Visitors to Josephine County Parks and Campgrounds will see updated pricing beginning in 2026.

A release from the Recreation Department says various camping fees and the affixed Annual Day Use Parking Pass increase will take effect January 1, 2026.

Park enthusiasts will have the opportunity to purchase their 2026 Affixed Annual Parking Pass at the 2025 rate of $30 and the Transferable Annual Parking Pass for $50 from November 28 through December 31, saving $5. Starting January 1, 2026, the affixed Annual Parking Pass will increase to $35, and the Transferable Parking Pass to $55.

Additional increases will apply to select camping and yurt rental fees throughout County Campgrounds. Effective April 1, 2026, the single day use parking fee will increase to $10 per vehicle.

Josephine County Parks is a self-funded program that receives no support from local tax dollars. Every dollar collected is reinvested directly into park operations, maintenance, and improvements.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man after a reported robbery at the Lil' Pantry Sunday evening.

At 5:25 p.m., a man carrying a knife was reported to have just stolen money and cigarettes from the 979 Rogue River Highway location. An officer observed the suspect asking people for a lighter while walking Eastbound on Fruitdale Drive.

The man was identified as Andre Cotton, and the officer advised him he was under arrest. Cotton ignored the lawful commands and continued walking. Additional units arrived at the scene, and, despite commands, Cotton remained uncompliant.

Officers, using a less lethal shotgun, deployed a beanbag, prompting Cotton to comply. He was subsequently taken into custody. The cigarettes were located on his person, and both they and the knife were logged.

Medical clearance was given to Cotton from Three Rivers Medical Center, and he was transported to the Josephine County Jail. Officer lodged him for Third Degree Theft, Escape in the Third Degree, and Resisting Arrest. A charge of Menacing was forwarded to the District Attorney's Office.

 

Rural Metro Fire responded to a fatal two vehicle incident in the North Valley area early Saturday morning.

A semi-truck and passenger vehicle collided around 2:02 a.m. on Interstate 5 Northbound at the Manzanita Rest Area. The semi driver denied injury, but the other driver was found deceased upon arrival of rescue crews.

Northbound lanes were shut down as the scene was investigated by OSP.

 

A report of suspicious activity on a Wilderville property led the Josephine County Sheriff's Office to lodge two suspects on warrants Sunday afternoon.

Dispatch was notified around 12:02 p.m. that a couple kept going to and from and creeping around the location in the 32,000 block of Redwood Highway.

Deputies arrived and contacted Margaret Ledlow and Joshua Huff. Ledlow was found to be wanted on a Springfield Police Department Warrant for First Degree Criminal Trespass.

Huff had two warrants, with one being out of the Grant County Sheriff's Office in Washington. The warrants charged Huff with seven counts of Forgery, three counts of Second Degree Theft, and Driving While Suspended.

Ledlow and Huff were taken into custody on their warrants and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended two suspects wanted on warrants at WinCo early Sunday morning.

At 3:46 a.m. officers were conducting a patrol check at the 231 NE Terry Lane location when they detained both suspects, Jay Oncher Fontaine and January Fish.

Oncher Fontaine was found in a blue Impala with switched plates, and Fish was returning to the vehicle when officers contacted them. Officers found Oncher Fontaine to be in possession of a white chalky substance that tested positive for fentanyl.

In the vehicle's center console, officers found meth in a bag and a gun. Oncher Fontaine was identified as a felon, and both he and Fish were transported to the Josephine County Jail. Fish was provided an opportunity to relieve herself of any drugs per the amnesty box admonishment.

She denied having any, but after being brought inside the jail, a container with a substance inside that later tested positive for fentanyl was observed on her person.

Fish was lodged for Supplying Contraband, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and a previous warrant for Delivery of Meth.

Oncher Fontaine was lodged for Possession of Meth, Possession of a Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Driving While Suspended, and for two warrants out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Douglas County Sheriff's Office for Trespass and First Degree Theft respectively.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies apprehended a woman wanted on two out-of-county warrants Sunday.

The suspect, Mattea Anderson, was located at Pierce Riffle County Park, 5105 Averill Drive. Upon contact, she was found to be wanted on both a Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Central Point Felony warrant.

The warrants charged Anderson with DUII and First Degree Criminal Mischief. She was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was at first lodged, but then released due to lack of resources.

 

Early Sunday morning, Medford Police officers responded to a report of an armed suicidal subject.

During the encounter, shots were fired. The subject is in stable condition at the hospital and no officers were injured.

Per standard procedure, the involved officer is on paid administrative leave, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation to ensure an independent and thorough review.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR Josephine County responded to two vehicle accidents over the weekend.

On Saturday at 4:48 p.m., I.V. Fire and AMR responded near the 2000 block of Deer Creek Road in Selma to an incident involving a single vehicle and reported damage to a power pole.

Upon arrival, the vehicle was located, and the occupant was found to be uninjured.
Pacific Power was notified to address the damaged power lines. A lane closure was implemented during the incident to ensure safety.

Then on Sunday at 8:48 a.m., I.V. Fire and AMR responded to another reported vehicle accident on Deer Creek Road.

The vehicle was located and found to be abandoned. There was a search performed, but no person was found. The vehicle was flagged for the Sheriff's Office.