Local News

Josephine Community Library invites the public to attend the two-part program, “The Holocaust Remembered: ‘Who Will Write Our History.”

According to the Library, the program will explore the importance of preserving historical memory through firsthand accounts and primary sources with former Oregon History Teacher of the Year, Lois MacMillan, and Regional Museum Educator or the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Heidi Kaufman, Ph.D.

The series includes a free documentary screening on Thursday, May 14th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Grants Pass Performing Arts Center, followed by a community discussion Thursday, May 21st from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Grants Pass library branch.

This program is free and open to the public, and a library card is not required. Attendees are welcome to join one or both events. This program series is funded in part by the 2026 Oregon Humanities Mini Grant for Libraries. For more information, call 541-476-0571.

 

Commissioner Gary Richardson, following the 3 p.m. executive session Monday, said Mike Crisafulli will be returned from administrative leave and will return to work at 8 a.m. today. Crisafulli will report to Commissioner Richardson until further direction from the board.

The next Commissioner meeting scheduled is their 1:30 p.m. County Administration Workshop in the BCC Conference Room. The Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management will present a resolution in the matter of the Declaration of a Drought Emergency in Josephine County, and an amendment to the Securus Technologies Master Services Agreement.

Personnel Requisitions and Actions from Human Resources will be considered, as well as Appointments to the Compensation Committee, and Interim Emergency Management Director Compensation.

The Recreation department will bring a recommendation of Appointment to the Fair Board, and Public Works has a board order on the agenda in the matter of Proceedings to legalize a portion of Caves Camp Road.

The board will hear an IV Business Hub Economic Development Grant Agreement and Central Square Invoice from Finance, and Public Health will present the Oregon Health Authority 2025 Triennial Review.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies lodged a woman on a Medford Police Department warrant after two welfare checks were requested.

One call to 911 reported the woman was walking in the middle of the road in the 3100 block of Walnut Avenue. The caller requested a welfare check, saying the woman had stepped in front of their vehicle while heading towards Prairie Lane.

The next report to dispatch said the woman was on Redwood Highway. The caller had picked the woman up and dropped her off at the Jerome Prairie area. A welfare check was requested, as the woman was wandering in circles and kept going into the highway.

Deputies were able to locate the suspect south of Helms Road on U.S. Highway 199. According to the police report, the woman, Lisa Jones-Stearns, had been walking down the side of the highway while drinking from a beer can.

She was found to be wanted on a Medford Police Department Felony Warrant for Underlying First Degree Burglary. Deputies lodged Jones-Stearns in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office lodged a man wanted for Strangulation and Menacing Sunday afternoon.

The suspect was contacted at a property in the 100 block of Hogue Drive. Deputies detained Mark Fuller, knowing he had a valid and serviceable warrant out of the Sheriff's Office for his arrest.

Fuller was taken into custody for his strangulation and menacing charges, and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was later lodged.

 

A man was arrested for DUII after he was reported at Allcare Health to be under the influence.

Dispatch was notified that the suspect, later identified as Brian Thibeault, entered the 1701 NE 7th Street possibly under the influence. He went into a CPR class and fell out of a chair, after which he was asked to leave.

Thibeault proceeded to his vehicle, where officers with the Grants Pass Police Department contacted him. After being read his rights, he admitted to driving after the consumption of intoxicants. He showed visible signs of impairment, but refused to provide a breath sample.

Officers transported Thibeault to Three Rivers Medical Center where a legal blood draw documented his inebriation. He was subsequently transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for DUII.

 

All three Commissioners are scheduled to meet for two Open and Executive Sessions Monday, as well as a County Administration Workshop Tuesday afternoon in the BCC Conference Room.

The board's 10 a.m. Monday meeting will be held regarding the Robert Brandes vs. Josephine County, Andreas Blech case. A second session will be held at 3 p.m. to consider the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against the Airports Manager. The meetings will adjourn following the Executive Sessions.

Tuesday's 1:30 p.m. workshop will begin with Department Business. The Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management will present a resolution in the matter of the Declaration of a Drought Emergency in Josephine County, and an amendment to the Securus Technologies Master Services Agreement.

Personnel Requisitions and Actions from Human Resources will be considered, as well as Appointments to the Compensation Committee, and Interim Emergency Management Director Compensation.

The Recreation department will bring a recommendation of Appointment to the Fair Board, and Public Works has a board order on the agenda in the matter of Proceedings to legalize a portion of Caves Camp Road.

The board will hear an IV Business Hub Economic Development Grant Agreement and Central Square Invoice from Finance, and Public Health will present the Oregon Health Authority 2025 Triennial Review.

Both meetings will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

Family Night Live, a three concert event series is heading to Tom Pearce Park this June.

According to a release, the event will take place June 11th, June 18th, and June 25th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. nightly. The weekly event series will bring the community together for themed evenings full of live music, children’s activities, and food trucks.

Artists performing include Cody Ponder on the 11th for Country Night, Trevor Hanks on the 18th for Hero Night, and The Lack Family for Dino-Might on the 25th.

Families can enjoy live music performances by the river, interactive kid’s attractions, themed activities each week, the playground, and food vendors. Guests 21 and older can also enjoy beverages from Weekend Beer Company.

The event series is sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank. For more information, call 541-474-5285.

 

The Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce is beginning preparations for Lemonade Day.

According to the Chamber Calendar and Lemonade Day website, registration is now open for any young entrepreneurs who want to learn how to start, own, and operate their own business. They will learn about business skills, financial literacy, goal setting, and teamwork throughout the course of the program.

This year's Lemonade Day will be held Saturday, August 8th, from Noon until 3 p.m. Sign your child or student up now by going to www.lemonadeday.org/grants-pass. For more information, call 541-956-4100. Businesses interested in sponsorships can visit business.grantspasschamber.org.

 

A woman was arrested on two out-of-county warrants following a medical episode Sunday morning.

Grants Pass Police observed the suspect, Megan Mitchell, walking northbound on 6th in front of the 7-Eleven. She was known by law enforcement to have two valid and serviceable warrants out of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Charges against Mitchell included Assault, Third Degree Theft, and a Computer Crime. Officers soon contacted her in front of Gates Furniture and Mattress and took her into custody.

Mitchell began having a medical episode while in the back of the patrol vehicle. She was unconscious, but breathing ok when AMR arrived and transported her to a hospital. She was medically released, then transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility on her warrants.