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GP Police Arrested Suspect after Previous Trespass from Same Location

A man called 911 to report a man sleeping on his property Monday morning.

Dispatch was alerted to the trespassing at 4:16 p.m. at a property in the 300 block of SE H Street. The suspect was reportedly on the grass to the side of the house, and the caller wasn't sure if it was the same suspect from a previous trespassing complaint, Thomas Ehens.

Grants Pass Police arrived and confirmed it was Ehens. The property owner wished to pursue charges, and Ehens was taken into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for a charge of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.

Posted on 2/10/26 12:44PM by Alex Bauer

Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Warning of Relationship Scams

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning consumers to be wary of romance scams and so-called “relationship investment scams,” a fast-growing form of fraud that blends emotional manipulation with fake investment opportunities.

DFR says in a release that relationship investment scams are a recent and damaging type of fraud, causing reported losses in the billions. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported $12.5 billion in investment-related scam losses in 2024, a figure that has tripled in just three years.

Relationship scams often begin on dating apps, social media platforms, messaging apps, or through unexpected “wrong number” text messages. Criminals use fake profiles, photos, videos, and even artificial intelligence-generated voices to appear attractive, credible, and successful.

Once contact is made, scammers send frequent messages to build trust and emotional attachment before asking for money. What often starts as a small request can quickly escalate into devastating financial losses. In other cases, they often claim to have made significant profits trading cryptocurrency, precious metals, or foreign currency thanks to special knowledge or insider help.

These scams do not discriminate. People of all ages and backgrounds have been victimized, though people who live alone or spend significant time on social media or online discussion groups may be more vulnerable.

State regulators are increasingly seeing complaints involving digital assets and artificial intelligence. If you believe that you have been a victim, or have any questions, call DFR at 1-888-877-4894.

Posted on 2/10/26 12:30PM by Alex Bauer

Woman Trespassing at Air B&B Arrested by GP Police

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department were alerted to a trespassing complaint at a property in the 100 block of SW I Street.

On Monday around 9:49 a.m., following a quickly disconnected call, dispatch was notified by the owner of the Air B&B property that someone had broken into the detached garage. The suspect wasn't being violent and was gathering her items to leave.

Law enforcement arrived at the scene and met with the owner, then contacted the suspect, Brooke Mack. She admitted, after being read her rights, to entering the garage and having no right to the property. She told the officer that she had entered the garage Sunday evening and stayed overnight due to being cold and tired.

Mack also reportedly wanted to retrieve her items from a previous burglary case at the same location. She admitted to using a portable electric heater to stay warm, which reportedly cost the Air B&B owner $10 in power.

Mack was trespassed from the property. Her Parole Officer was contacted and a detainer was requested. The officer subsequently transported and lodged Mack in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Burglary, Theft of Services, and the detainer.

Posted on 2/10/26 12:12PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Pull Over Convicted Felon, Arrested for Restricted Weapon, Drug Charges

Grants Pass Police initiated a traffic stop on a man found to be a convicted felon.

After observing multiple people contact the suspect driver through his vehicle's window at Seven-Eleven, law enforcement pulled the man over at the corner of SE I Street and SE 7th Street.

The suspect, David Anderson, had committed two traffic violations, failure to obey a traffic control device, and an unsignaled turn. Upon contact, the officer found Anderson to be a convicted felon with a weapon offense warrant out for his arrest.

During the stop, brass knuckles were found in plain view on the driver's seat floorboard. The officer conducted a search of the vehicle, and found Anderson to be in possession of a firearm and spring assisted knife. He also had about 5 grams of a white powdery substance distributed into small baggies.

A field test showed the substance to be fentanyl. During the search, the officer found a scale along with other drug-related items, plus around $280 on Anderson's person.

Law enforcement took Anderson into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged for three counts of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, the Manufacture, Distribution, and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and his warrant according to jail logs.

Posted on 2/10/26 11:28AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Seeking Potential Witnesses of Fatal Hit-and-Run

Oregon State Police is asking for any potential witnesses to a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred January 31st at 7:20 a.m.

OSP responded to the report of a person down on the northbound shoulder of Interstate 5 near the Exit 24 on ramp. The preliminary investigation indicated the pedestrian, Anthony Jonathan Byam, 34, of Phoenix, had been struck by a vehicle that did not stop.

Byam was declared deceased at the scene. Investigators believe he was struck sometime between 9:45 p.m. on January 30th, and 7:20 a.m. on January 31st.

An investigation into the hit-and-run crash is ongoing. Any potential witnesses or anyone with information is encouraged to contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-035245.

Posted on 2/10/26 5:03AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Woman for Trespassing Warrant

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman at the Rays Food Place in Selma.

Deputies took Andrea Cripps into custody Saturday at 11:27 p.m. at the 110 Deer Creek Road grocery store. She was wanted on a Sheriff's Office warrant charging her with First Degree Criminal Trespass.

Cripps was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged on her warrant. However, she was later released on her own recognizance.

Posted on 2/9/26 1:00PM by Alex Bauer

GP Seeking Public Input from Community for Year 2 Annual Action Plan

The City of Grants Pass is beginning the annual process for developing and adopting the 2026-2027 Year 2 Annual Action Plan.

This plan will fund activities and projects to address the priorities identified in the 2025-2029 5-Year Consolidated Plan. Every fifth year, Grants Pass adopts a 5-Year Plan that guides the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds over the next five years.

Each year the City prepares a 1-Year Action Plan to allocate annual grant funds for specific activities to address identified needs, and the time has come for next year's plan.

This process follows timelines specified in the City's Citizen Participation Plan and federal law. As in past years, Grants Pass has prepared a survey to complete that will ascertain community needs and priorities. These ideas and suggestions will help develop the 2026-2027 Year 2 Plan.

The deadline for completing the survey is March 16th, and the link can be found at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

Posted on 2/9/26 12:37PM by Alex Bauer

Library Joining Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Providing Tax Help to Community

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.

Posted on 2/9/26 11:20AM by Alex Bauer

Medford Salvation Army to Host Ribbon Cutting of Remodeled Family Services Center

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.

Posted on 2/9/26 11:08AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Partnered with DEA, Seized About 40 Pounds of Meth

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.

Posted on 2/9/26 10:35AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Arrested Man on Out-of-County Warrant Following Welfare Check

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.

Posted on 2/9/26 5:50AM by Alex Bauer

Alcohol Thief Arrested by GP Police, Later Released and Trespassed

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.

Posted on 2/9/26 5:50AM by Alex Bauer

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