Local News

The Josephine Community Library is teaming up with Josephine County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers to help community members with their federal and state taxes at no cost.

Starting February 10th and running through April 3rd from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays, citizens can set up appointments through the VITA program at the Grants Pass branch at 200 NW C Street.

Walk-in assistance for tax forms or general tax-related questions are accepted Fridays. Participants are reminded to bring proof of identity, their tax forms, a Social Security card, and last year’s tax return. Certified VITA volunteers will prepare and file returns, which are typically available for pickup within approximately one week.

The program is designed for individuals with simple tax returns, such as income from wages, Social Security, or retirement (1099 forms). To schedule an appointment, call VITA at 541-223-9597 or visit joco-freetaxes.com.

For more information about library programs and services, visit josephinelibrary.org, email info@josephinelibrary.org, or call 541-476-0571.

 

The Salvation Army will host a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the remodel of its Family Services Center at 922 Central Avenue in Medford.

In a release from the Salvation Army, they said that over the past year, they have served more than 14,000 unduplicated individuals seeking emergency assistance for food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs.

As demand surged, families often faced wait times of up to an hour, with critical services being delivered from less than 900 square feet of space. The remodeled center features a new check-in process, expanded service areas, and a shopping-style food pantry model

Adding to the celebration, Kelly’s Automotive Service be delivering around 2,000 pounds of peanut butter and jelly collected through its Wipe Out Hunger Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive, helping to stock the newly expanded pantry.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department has partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to counter drug activity in Grants Pass and Southern Oregon.

On Saturday, the Grants Pass Police DEA Task Force Officer led an investigation that resulted in the seizure of roughly 40 pounds of methamphetamine. Also assisting in the case were the Grants Pass Police SWAT Quick Response Team, the DEA, the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement team, the Oregon State Police, and other members of the task force.

As part of this partnership, the GPPD provides a detective as a Task Force Officer in the local DEA office, who then conducts investigations into drug crimes in Grants Pass and has successfully managed numerous major interdictions. The detective is responsible for arresting major drug suppliers and other high-level drug criminals who target Grants Pass citizens.

The GPPD is committed to tackling drug crimes in our community. Anyone with tips or information on drug activity are encouraged to call their tipline at 541-237-5607.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a report of a man passed out in his vehicle Saturday.

At 2:10 p.m., an employee of Mitchell Window and Door at 1569 NE 6th Street called 911 to report a man sleeping in the driver's seat of a blue Honda Sedan. Despite the employee tapping on the window, the man didn't wake up.

The employee, after reporting the suspect was breathing, requested a welfare check. Officers arrived, and were able to wake up and contact the man, Robert Mathers.

He was found to be wanted on a Medford Police Department warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. Mathers refused medical treatment, and was then taken into custody for his warrant.

Officers lodged Mathers in the Josephine County Jail, but he was later released due to lack of resources.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a man after he stole alcohol Sunday morning.

The suspect was reported to be under the influence and had stolen two 16 ounce cans of beer, possibly even a wine bottle, from the Pinnacle 365 at 836 NE A Street. The caller, an employee of the market, wished to pursue charges and requested the suspect be trespassed.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Brad Apperson. He admitted to stealing alcohol and still had the merchandise on his person. Officers took Apperson into custody.

He was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Third Degree Theft. He was later released due to a lack of jail resources, and he was trespassed from the Pinnacle 365.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a female in the roadway at Grants Pass Parkway and M Street, firing handguns. On Saturday at approximately 12:30 p.m., officers arrived at the scene and gave verbal commands for the female to drop the gun, which were ignored. Officers fired their department-issued firearms and struck the female. She was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center, where she was identified as Alicia Shelton, 43, of Grants Pass. Shelton was pronounced deceased at the hospital. There were no other reported injuries. The Josephine County Major Crimes Team was activated, and the Oregon State Police were tasked with leading the investigation. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab responded and processed the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and the Parkway has been reopened. As per standard protocol, the involved officers will be placed on paid leave during the investigation. Future updates will be provided by the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

 

An officer-involved shooting occurred on the Parkway Bridge Saturday. No official information has been released at this time. The Grants Pass Police Department is advising the public to avoid the bridge due to extended police activity. There is no danger to the public at this time. Video footage posted to Facebook shows an individual on the bridge possibly holding a gun. Shots were fired, and the individual is then seen on the ground as officers perform CPR and emergency crews arrive. Detours are in place as the investigation continues.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended two men Thursday, one for possession of a controlled substance, and the other for failing to register as a sex offender.

At 11:25 a.m., deputies detained Kevin Reeves at the Josephine County Community Corrections Department per his Parole Officer's request. Reeves presented a bag of an unknown substance to his Parole Officer during check in.

The substance tested positive for amphetamines, so Reeves was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Meth and a Parole Violation Detainer.

Then at 8:47 p.m., deputies contacted James Harelson in a white pickup in the 5,900 block of Riverbanks Road. He wasn't being compliant with law enforcement, so he was detained.

Haralson was taken into custody for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail. A friend of Harelson was coming to move the pickup out of the shared driveway.

 

The owner of the A1 Market and Deli at 605 NE 7th Street reported a suspect trespassing at his business.

An employee of the market called the owner, alerting him of the incident. After getting a description of the man, the owner called dispatch again. The suspect, a white male with short hair, a black shirt, and blue pants, was causing a mess at the market inside and out.

The owner requested the suspect be trespassed. Grants Pass Police arrived at the scene, where it appeared the man had fallen over a parking wire and was sleeping on the north side of the building.

The suspect, identified as William Muir, had his belongings scattered around the area, and the officer observed a strong odor of alcohol. Muir was woken up and displayed indicators of impairment. He admitted to consuming alcohol, despite being on probation.

His Parole Officer was contacted, and Muir was taken into custody. Law enforcement transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for a detainer. He was also trespassed from the market.