Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners heard from Pipe Fork supporters, made appointments to three local advisory committees and addressed the problem of local drug overdoses during its weekly business session on Wednesday. With no public hearings or action items on the agenda, Board Chair John West started the 66-minute meeting with Requests and Comments from Citizens. At least a dozen people spoke of their support for the sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams, with some of the speakers chastising the Commissioners for not agreeing to an immediate sale. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board unanimously approved appointments of Jamee Harrington to a four-year term on the Special Transportation Committee, Justin Lyons to a four-year term on the Housing & Community Development Council and Todd Greer to a three-year term on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger talked about the alarming increase in local drug overdoses and the ineffectiveness of Measure 110. He cited City of Grants Pass statistics that show 22 responses to overdoses and 11 deaths in 2022 grew to 197 responses to overdoses and 15 deaths in 2023. He said statistics for Josephine County were unavailable because they had not been released by the state.

 

Grange Co-op has announced the acquisition of a new distribution center in Medford, further solidifying its commitment to growth and service excellence. The state-of-the-art facility -- spanning approximately 71,000 square feet on approximately six acres -- is strategically located adjacent to the South Medford Grange Co-op on South Pacific Highway. Marketing Manager Jason Wall said the expansion comes as part of Grange Co-op's efforts to enhance its distribution capabilities, ensuring efficient and timely delivery of quality products to its valued customers. He said the new distribution center in Medford aligns with their strategic vision for continued growth and efficiency, adding the facility will play a crucial role in their distribution network. Grange Co-op's 25,000-square-foot former distribution center in North Medford is being sold as part of the transition. The retail cooperative remains dedicated to optimizing its facilities to best meet the needs of the communities it serves. Established in 1934, Grange Co-op is a member-owned cooperative providing agricultural supplies and more to communities throughout Oregon and Northern California.

 

The Josephine County Foundation is teaming up with Amigo Vision to present a Free Vision Clinic this weekend at North Valley High School. The Free Vision Clinic is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school located at 6741 Monument Drive near Grants Pass. Josephine County Foundation (JCF) is a student-led non-profit that inspires, engages and strengthens the community through innovative leadership and service. The goal of this clinic is to serve those who cannot afford vision care. An appointment for the free clinic is required. To schedule your appointment, visit the Josephine County Foundation website at "jcfserves.org/jcyf/current-projects/vision-clinic." For more information, please call Andrea Bennett at (541)-450-8782.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners heard from Pipe Fork supporters, made appointments to three local advisory committees and addressed the problem of local drug overdoses during its weekly business session today. With no public hearings or action items on the agenda, Board Chair John West started the 66-minute meeting with Requests and Comments from Citizens. At least a dozen people spoke of their support for the sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams, with some of the speakers chastising the Commissioners for not agreeing to an immediate sale. The speakers included the Williams Rural Fire Protection District Chief, who pointed out that the sale would benefit his community by helping to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board unanimously approved appointments of Jamee Harrington to a four-year term on the Special Transportation Committee, Justin Lyons to a four-year term on the Housing & Community Development Council and Todd Greer to a three-year term on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger talked about the alarming increase in local drug overdoses and the ineffectiveness of Measure 110. He cited City of Grants Pass statistics that show 22 responses to overdoses and 11 deaths in 2022 grew to 197 responses to overdoses and 15 deaths in 2023. He said statistics for Josephine County were unavailable because they had not been released by the state.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed one person and were looking for another in connection with a vandalism incident near Hog Creek Boat Landing. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 19-year-old Victoria Reanna Corona for the incident in the 4700-block of Galice Road on Tuesday at 4:17 p.m.. Deputies said they received a call from a resident reporting two people torched her travel trailer, injured her dog and stabbed a tire on her vehicle. She identified the suspects as Corona and her boyfriend, William Foxx. Foxx was reportedly armed with a large knife when he eluded law enforcement by running into the woods. Corona was located inside a vehicle driven by a woman named "Brown" and she was placed into custody. She was transported to Grants Pass and lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Burglary and 3rd-Degree Theft. A search for Foxx in the Hog Creek area was unsuccessful. Charges of 1st-Degree Arson, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Burglary, Menacing and Escape against him were referred to the District Attorney's Office for eventual prosecution. Brown was cited for Failure to Register a Vehicle.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man and his older sister on outstanding warrants last night during an investigation near Westholm Park. The Police Department reports officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on 34-year-old Kyle Daniel Miller in the 200-block of SW Wildwood Drive on Tuesday around 8:45 p.m.. He was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for Heroin Possession. Police said neighbors confirmed that Miller lives at the residence, so they tried to contact him there. He immediately shut the door and refused to identify himself, retreating into the back part of the house. His sister -- 37-year-old Bobby Rae Miller -- came out of the home and said she was trying to get him to surrender. Turns out that Bobby Miller was wanted on a Multnomah County felony warrant for Fraud, Abuse and Computer Crime as well as a Washington County warrant for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Theft and Supplying Contraband. She was placed into custody and lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail. Kyle Miller was eventually placed into custody and lodged in jail on his warrant.

 

A Grants Pass felon was arrested for violating his post-prison supervision early yesterday after he attempted to return stolen property to the victim of a recent burglary. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 30-year-old Dominick Jeffrey Aragon at a mini-storage business on NW Booth Street on Tuesday around 7:45 a.m.. Police said Aragon was a suspect in a burglary that occurred Monday at a home in the 4300-block of Foothill Boulevard. They said the victim reported that he texted her, told her the stolen items were at Booth Street Mini Storage and that he would meet her there at 7 a.m. when he would return the items. With that knowledge, officers were able to stop Aragon and discover that he was driving with a suspended license. His corrections officer was contacted and asked that his client be detained. Aragon was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer and additional charges are pending further investigation, A charge of Driving While Suspended was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for hitting a parked vehicle and then fleeing the scene on foot early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a hit-and-run crash in the 700-block of NE 6th Street on Tuesday at about 9:35 a.m.. Police said 31-year-old Jeremiah Rigoberto Mossman was driving a pickup south on 6th Street when he crashed into a parked vehicle and then left the scene of the wreck without making any attempt to contact the victim or law enforcement. Total damage to both vehicles was estimated to be well over $2,500. Mossman reportedly left his pickup at the scene and tried to run away, but he was located near the corner of NE A and Baker streets near Grants Pass High School. Jeremiah Mossman was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. No indicators of impairment were observed, but his Dodge Dakota was impounded. The victim's vehicle was towed.

 

A Grants Pass motorist was cited for colliding with an unoccupied vehicle near the high school early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the two-vehicle crash in the 800-block of NE A Street on Tuesday around 8:20 a.m.. Police said a female adult they identified only as "Hoover" told them she was driving her vehicle at 15 miles per hour when she became distracted and rear-ended a parked vehicle, causing significant damage to both. She admitted to driving away, but stopping at a nearby location on Baker Street just off A. Following an investigation, Hoover was cited for Careless Driving. She was also warned for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Distracted Driving and Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock System on her vehicle. Both vehicles were towed.