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Emergency Crews Responded to Fatal Vehicle Crash in Murphy

The 911 Dispatch Center was notified Monday at 5:07 p.m. of a motor vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality in Murphy. Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response, Oregon State Police, and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to find a pickup truck rolled off an embankment and the driver had been ejected. The driver Brent Smith, 54, was deceased upon arrival and was the only occupant in the vehicle. The initial investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling towards Spencer Creek on a gravel BLM road. The vehicle left the roadway, and went down an embankment, striking several trees, before coming to rest on its side nearly 500 feet down from the roadway. Josephine County Search & Rescue's Rope Team was activated and successfully recovered Brent. Next of kin has been notified. No further information will be released at this time.

Posted on 10/27/26 1:38PM by Alex Bauer

Patrol Vehicle Purchase, Victim Assistance Grant Amendment Approved by BCC

The Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of new patrol vehicles for the Sheriff's Department and an amendment to a Department of Justice Grant Award at the start of today's workshop.

The grant award, with just over $325,000 from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), and over $122,000 from the Criminal Fine Account (CFA), was amended to continue for a second year in support of victim assistance following a 3-0 motion from the board.

Sheriff Dave Daniel requested the purchase of five 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicles with upfitting for five new deputy positions. Approval was unanimous, and the approximate total of $418,000 would be paid for through the Sheriff's Equipment Reserve Fund.

Further discussion was postponed for new portable patrol radios, but five in-car radios have been approved for purchase. The board then moved in favor of reducing the Fund 26 Animal Control Budget contingency to increase personnel and vehicle expense. The cost is covered by the contingency balance within the fund.

Approval to pay $1,762 in 2027 County Membership Dues was granted unanimously, and the board moved 3-0 in favor of the Tree Planting Contract with Rogue River Forestry LLC for the planting of approximately 173,500 seedlings.

All Human Resources Position Requisitions and Personnel Actions were approved, and the board convened in executive session to discuss real properties in relation to the Flying Lark sale.

Posted on 10/27/26 1:18PM by Alex Bauer

Fire Season Ends Wednesday

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District is officially declaring an end to the 2026 fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties, effective Wednesday, October 28th, at 12:01 a.m. Recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and a shift toward consistent fall weather have allowed all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to be lifted. Since fire season was declared on May 15, ODF firefighters have responded to 210 fires across Jackson and Josephine counties, totaling approximately 17,220 acres burned. Crews successfully kept 95% of fires at 10 acres or less, just below ODF's annual goal of 98%. The termination of fire season removes ODF's seasonal fire prevention regulations on equipment use and debris burning for the public and industrial operations on protected forestlands. However, industrial slash burning remains prohibited. Before burning, residents should check with their local fire department for permit requirements and confirm that burning is allowed in their area. Residents can check daily burning conditions through their county's burn information line:
- Jackson County Burn Line: (541) 776-7007
- Josephine County Burn Line: (541) 476-9663

Posted on 10/27/26 12:09PM by Alex Bauer

Sheriff's Deputies Lodge Man Camping on Someone's Property for Active Warrant

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies apprehended a trespass suspect wanted on a warrant after he set up a tent on the reporting party's property.

Dispatch received a call Monday at 8:44 a.m. stating the suspect had arrived at a home in the 100 block of Wild Raspberry Circle Sunday night, saying he was waiting for a ride. That morning, the suspect had reportedly put up a tent on the property.

Deputies arrived and contacted the suspect, Neyland Oliver. It was determined he had an active warrant for his arrest for Resisting Arrest, Third Degree Escape, Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, and Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree. He was detained, and the warrant was confirmed.

Oliver was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail, before being conditionally released at 3:31 p.m.

Posted on 10/27/26 11:56AM by Alex Bauer

Woman Walking on Railroad Tracks Lodged for GPPD Warrant

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department lodged a woman walking on railroad tracks for an active warrant.

Monday at 3:54 p.m., Bobbi Jo Langdon was located walking on the tracks behind Si Casa Express. She had a warrant out of the police department charging her with Possession of Fentanyl, so she was taken into custody at the scene.

Officers arrested Langdon after confirming her warrant, and proceeded to lodge her in the Adult Jail Facility at 4:17 p.m.

Posted on 10/27/26 9:33AM by Alex Bauer

Woman with Drug Paraphernalia Arrested outside Walgreens for Meth Possession

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman found with drug paraphernalia outside Walgreens last night.

Shani Fedosky was contacted after being observed with a tooter in open view around 10:48 p.m. outside the 111 Union Avenue store. Following field testing, the tooter yielded a presumptive positive result for methamphetamine. The officer confirmed items surrounding Fedosky were all her belongings, and took her into custody.

She was transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging on a charge of Meth Possession, as well as a detainer per her parole officer.

Posted on 10/27/26 9:14AM by Alex Bauer

Ray’s Food Place, Shop Smart Launch Stuff the Truck Program

Ray’s Food Place and Shop Smart are inviting shoppers to help fight hunger close to home through the Stuff the Truck program.

According to a release, the company-wide food drive begins tomorrow (October 28th), and will run through December 24th at all locations. This year’s goal is to collect more than 6,500 pre-packaged bags of food for local food banks in Oregon and Northern California.

Each bag costs $25 and contains approximately $36 worth of food. All food donations stay in the local community, with each store partnering with a local food bank or community organization.

The public can purchase a pre-filled donation bag at any Ray’s Food Place or Shop Smart location and place it in the designated collection area, or purchase donation bags online at www.stuffthetruck.gives.

Some of the participating cities and their respective organizations include:
- Cave Junction, Merlin, and Selma - Josephine County Food Bank
- Central Point - Salvation Army
- Eagle Point - St. Vincent de Paul
- Gold Hill - Gold Hill Food Bank
- Jacksonville - Food for Friends: Table Rock Fellowship Pantry
- Rogue River - Rogue River Community Center

Posted on 10/27/26 9:07AM by Alex Bauer

Mt. Ashland Association, Southern Oregon Ski Education Foundation Partner for Racing Opportunities

The Mt. Ashland Association (MAA) and the Southern Oregon Ski Education Foundation (SOSEF) announced the development of two new youth ski racing programs for the upcoming 2026-27 winter season.

According to a release, the organizations are working to ensure that young athletes throughout Southern Oregon continue to have opportunities to develop their skiing abilities, build confidence, and participate in alpine ski racing at Mt. Ashland.

Following the announcement that the Mt. Ashland Racing Association (MARA) would not operate its youth ski racing program for the upcoming season, the MAA and SOSEF began working together to develop a solution for the families and athletes affected by the program's absence.

The MAA will introduce a new nine-week Race Development Program designed for intermediate to advanced skiers ages 7 through 10 to develop their foundational skills necessary for alpine ski racing. SOSEF is expanding its offerings to include a new Junior Ski Racing Program for students in 5th through 8th grade.

Enrollment for both programs is limited, and families are encouraged to register early. Learn more at www.mtashland.com/lessons, or www.sosefskier.com.

Posted on 10/27/26 7:38AM by Alex Bauer

Information Coordinator Offers Clarification on Homeless Services Grant Program

Grants Pass' Information Coordinator Mike Zacchino has issued a release offering clarification on the Homeless Services Capital Development Grant Program Monday afternoon.

In the statement, he says "the $60,000 … Program released on October 22, 2026, is being offered as required by the Settlement Agreement reached in 2025 between the City of Grants Pass and Disability Rights Oregon. As part of the negotiated settlement in that case the City is obligated to provide this grant funding in addition to the previously issued grant used to construct Parker’s Place Village."

He continued, saying "the agreement language requires the $60,000 in funding to be provided by December 31, 2026, and that it be used for capital development related to any facility including bathroom facilities that supports the delivery of services to homeless individuals, including individuals with disabilities, in the City of Grants Pass."

Posted on 10/27/26 7:23AM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Sheriff's Office, OSP Alerted to Hit and Run Incident, Suspect Lodged

Law enforcement apprehended the suspect in a motor vehicle collision Monday, lodging him for multiple charges including Assault, Hit and Run, and DUII.

One of the involved vehicles was reported to be on fire at 7:18 p.m. The two vehicles had collided at the corner of N Frontage Road and the Exit 76 On-Ramp. One of the drivers was reportedly drunk, with claims he was trying to kill the other driver, screaming and swinging at him in the process.

All occupants had exited the vehicles, and the suspect was said to have run off northbound on the freeway. Both vehicles were now involved in flames and blocking traffic. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police were alerted to the situation.

The fire was knocked down, the vehicles were towed, and the two injured occupants were transported by American Medical Response. Both had been contacted by police beforehand, and probable cause was established to arrest the suspect, later identified as Arthur Espinoza.

Law enforcement located and took Espinoza into custody for Hit and Run, Third Degree Assault, DUII, Attempted Assault in the Fourth Degree, Reckless Driving, and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. He was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

Posted on 10/27/26 6:49AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Locate ARCO Thief that Started a Fire by Big 5

A man was arrested after stealing merchandise from an ARCO station and starting a fire Sunday morning.

Dispatch was notified of the suspect acting strange and leaving the 190 NE Terry Lane service station with just over $3 worth of stolen merchandise around 2:14 a.m. The caller wished to pursue theft charges and have the suspect trespassed.

He was seen walking towards a nearby Taco Bell, but upon arrival, officers were unable to locate him.

Later that morning at 3:56 a.m., however, police were alerted to a fire involving a bush and tree about two to three feet tall. Following an investigation, officers located the same suspect and detained him.

He was identified as Connor Snodgrass, and he admitted to starting the landscape fire at Big 5 Sporting Goods. He was arrested and transported to the Adult Jail Facility for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Theft in the Third Degree, and Reckless Burning, the last charge of which wasn't filed by the District Attorney.

Posted on 10/27/26 4:48AM by Alex Bauer

Board, Department Business Up for Consideration after City/County Update

After an 11 a.m. discussion with City representatives Tuesday, the County Commissioners will consider department and board business in the BCC Conference Room.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. the District Attorney will present an amendment to an Oregon Department of Justice Grant adding year two funding, followed by a Finance request for approval to pay 2027 County Membership Dues to the National Association of Counties.

The board will consider approving Forestry Director Dave Streeter to sign a Tree Planting Contract with Rogue River Forestry LLC, then purchase requests from the Sheriff. Also to be discussed is a contingency reduction for the Fund 26 Animal Control Budget.

Following Position Requisitions and Personnel Actions from Human Resources, the board will meet in executive session to discuss real properties in relation to the Flying Lark sale.

Board business will be considered next, including re-appointments to the Josephine Housing and Community Development Council, and the Critical Oregon Airport Relief Grant Program. Lastly, the board's department report for Fiscal Year 2025-26 will be discussed, as well as a proposal potentially implementing the 90-Day Airport Lease Modernization Program.

Posted on 10/26/26 12:31PM by Alex Bauer

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