Local News

Intoxicated Woman Arrested by GP Police after Resisting Arrest
Grants Pass Police officers were accidently notified of a possible crash at 12:10 this morning.

The caller on the line reportedly sounded under the influence. She refused to give her name and location, and didn't want anyone to check on her. She then told dispatch she was going to abandon her car.

Officers were able to track the woman down near the property in the 400 block of SE H Street. She was contacted and identified as Cynthia Martinez-Sandoval. Officers deemed her too impaired to care for herself, so she was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Martinez-Sandoval resisted though, refusing commands and pulling and pushing away from officers. While they attempted to put her seatbelt on in the patrol vehicle, Martinez-Sandoval tried to get out. She placed her foot against the door to keep it open, but officers were able to secure the seatbelt.

Officers transported Martinez-Sandoval to the Josephine County Jail rather than the Sobering Center where she was lodged for Disorderly Conduct.
Posted on 2/12/26 11:39AM by Alex Bauer
 

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Seeking Seasonal Employees
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and is encouraging local residents to apply.

The Forest Service is recruiting for a variety of entry-level roles, including recreation and trail and facility maintenance, as well as active resource management, with roles in botany, timber, and wildlife biology. These positions are in addition to seasonal fire hire events, already underway.

Bringing on seasonal employees will help improve trails, campgrounds and facilities for safer, reliable and enjoyable recreation experiences for all. Along with mission critical work, these seasonal employees will help accomplish the mission of maintaining recreation sites across the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

For more information about careers with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Forest Service, visit www.fs.usda.gov.
Posted on 2/12/26 11:20AM by Alex Bauer
 

JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Apprehend Trespassing Suspect for Mail Theft, Vehicle Entry
Josephine County Sheriff's deputies were alerted to a trespassing complaint at a property in the 2300 block of Hugo Road in Merlin.

A call came in to dispatch at 6:03 a.m. The caller reported seeing a man on the property via a ring camera. The call was disconnected, but dispatch was able to contact the woman, who then said she was alone while the man was walking around outside.

The suspect was described as having a tan hoodie with a black beanie hat. The woman said there was another tenant in a studio apartment on the property as well, but she hadn't contacted them yet.

At one point she said the suspect may have gone behind to garage where there's access to the studio. Deputies soon arrived and contacted the suspect, Jesse Johnson. He was trespassed from the property, and it was learned he had mail from not only the 2300 block property, but a property in the 1850 block of Hugo Road as well.

Deputies took Johnson into custody for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Unlawful Entry into a Vehicle, Mail Theft, and a Post-Prison Supervision Sanction. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 2/12/26 10:44AM by Alex Bauer
 

Historical Buildings and Sites Commission Applications Being Accepted
Applications are being accepted for a position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission due to a vacancy.

This position expires on May 3rd, 2027. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary. They will also help promote the community's historic preservation, advise interested agencies on historic preservation matters, and identify areas and buildings of historic or archeological significance.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application.

Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. April 3rd to be reviewed by the commission April 9th. Applicants will be interviewed by the Council during their workshop May 4th, and appointments will be made at the City Council meeting Wednesday, May 6th.
Posted on 2/12/26 5:19AM by Alex Bauer
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JoCo Jail Inmate Further Charged with Two Out-of-County Warrants
An adult-in-custody at the Josephine County Jail was further charged with two warrants.

The suspect, Michael Chezem, had two warrants sent to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon City Police Department for clarification.

The warrants charged Chezem with Interfering with Public Transport, Harassment, A Second Degree Theft Charge, and two counts of Theft in the Third Degree.
Posted on 2/12/26 4:50AM by Alex Bauer
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Juvenile Arrested for Reckless Driving, Felony Elude by JoCo Sheriff's Office
Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a juvenile near Taylor's Sausage Country Store Tuesday.

At 11:10 a.m., the suspect passed by deputies on a dirt bike with another juvenile riding as a passenger. After attempting to locate, the suspect was detained after he was knocked off the dirt bike by an adult.

The suspect was taken into custody at the 202 S Redwood Highway business. He was charged with Reckless Driving and Felony Elude. Deputies lodged him in the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center.
Posted on 2/11/26 1:14PM by Alex Bauer
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City Announces Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan
The City of Grants Pass has announced its Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan

According to a release posted to the city's website, Grants Pass has held the Tree City USA designation for over 30 years. With the building of the new Water Treatment Plant continuing, the city is taking steps towards the preservation of trees in the area.

A new raw water pipeline is going to be installed along U.S. Highway 199 near the new plant site. This will ensure reliable water service will be provided to the community for generations to come. Some trees will need to be removed beginning February 16th for the work on the pipe to continue.

The city says every effort will be taken to "minimize the impact and maintain the beauty of our community.” You can view the Redwood Highway Tree Removal Plan at www.grantspassoregon.gov.
Posted on 2/11/26 11:44AM by Alex Bauer
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JoCo Sheriff's Deputies Arrested Suspect, Trespassed from Hancock Timber Land
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was attempting to locate a man driving a black Hummer Tuesday afternoon.

The driver, known to deputies as Cameron Dailey, was also known to carry knives. According to the deputy report, he had a parole violation for an underlying weapon offense of Felon in Possession of a Weapon. Dailey also had an Oregon Parole Board warrant for absconding from a charge of Meth Possession.

He was soon located by deputies at the corner of South Redwood Highway and Caves Highway. After being taken into custody, Dailey was interviewed for a separate matter. He was warned for trespassing from all Hancock timber land after camera footage showed him cutting down trees on the land.

His Parole Officer was notified, and deputies took Dailey to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.
Posted on 2/11/26 11:35AM by Alex Bauer
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Former Employee Trespassed at Business, Arrested by GP Police
Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man for trespassing at Timber Products Company.

On Tuesday around 2:38 p.m., one of many witnesses reported Jackson Mattock, a former employee of the 1090 SE M Street business, had returned. He had been trespassed the day before, and was leaving in a white Honda Civic at the time of the report.

It was unclear which direction Mattock left. Officers responded to the scene and subsequently detained Mattock at his father's home in the 1400 block of Florence Lane. Mattock was taken into custody, transported, and then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.
Posted on 2/11/26 11:07AM by Alex Bauer
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Temporary Board to Discuss Interview Process, Select Applicants for Vacancies
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The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers will meet for a special meeting Thursday. At 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, the board will convene the meeting. According to the agenda, they will begin with a look at the eligibility and background checks of the applicants for the vacant Board of County Commissioner positions. The board will then discuss interview protocols and questions, the scoring of applicants and the interview process, the protocol for tie breakers, plus Human Resources Authority. The selection of applicants to be interviewed will follow, and pending other matters pertaining to the application and interview process for Commissioner Positions 1 and 2, the meeting will adjourn. Those wishing to attend the meeting in person must abide by the clear bag policy. The meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.
Posted on 2/11/26 10:42AM by Alex Bauer
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White City Man Indicted on Sex Abuse Charges by Jackson County Grand Jury
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A Jackson County Grand Jury indicted a 19-year-old White City man Tuesday on sex abuse charges. The suspect, Eli Mulugeta Young, of White City was lodged in the Jackson County Jail for second and third degree sexual abuse charges. On Friday, February 6th, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a report of 19-year-old man sexually abusing a girl under the age of 14. Deputies arrested the man in the 7000 block of Houston Loop in White City. JCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives believe Young may have other victims. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Detective Jill Wenzel at 541-770-8928. Detectives are currently investigating this case. Further information will come from the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.
Posted on 2/11/26 5:57AM by Alex Bauer
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JoCo Sheriff's Office Arrested Trespassing Suspect on Burglary and Theft Charges
Josephine County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a report of a man trespassing inside his parent's home Monday.

A call to dispatch around 4:35 p.m. reported the suspect's parents were out of town, and the caller went to check on the property in the 3700 block of Foothill Boulevard because the alarm was going off.

Deputies responded to the scene and created a perimeter. After the caller confirmed no one was supposed to be inside the home, law enforcement began to clear the residence.

The door was kicked in, but the home and garage were clear. Deputies soon located the suspect, identified as Jack Doak. He was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail.

Prison logs show Doak was lodged for First and Second Degree Burglary, two counts of Third Degree Theft, and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.
Posted on 2/10/26 1:42PM by Alex Bauer
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