Local News

Four members of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office have been recognized for their courage during a violent incident at an Interstate 5 rest area that occurred last year. Every year, the Oregon Peace Officers Association presents awards to law enforcement personnel and citizens who have performed exemplary deeds or services on behalf of their communities.Josephine County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Watson received the Life Saving with Valor Award while Medal of Valor Awards were received by Deputy Gerald Bayard, Sergeant Craig Ricker and Undersheriff Travis Snyder for their professional and courageous actions. Deputy Tanner Sherrow was honored for his valor by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners earlier this year. Members of the Oregon State Police received valor awards as well. On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Josephine County sheriff's deputies and state troopers responded to a call at the northbound Manzanita Rest Area. The situation was violent and turbulent, with citizens' lives being threatened along with the lives of responding law enforcement officers by a man armed with a pistol and semiautomatic rifle. The male suspect had already shot a female twice before law enforcement arrived. The situation ended with an exchange of gunfire and the suspect succumbed to his injuries. The female victim received medical care by law enforcement and survived.

 

Helping your neighbors and their families stay warm just got easier. Pacific Power will match every dollar you donate to the Oregon Energy Fund with $2 more. Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail will find they include an Oregon Energy Fund contribution envelope in November. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program. This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power. To enroll in the fixed donation program, customers can call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-(888)-221-7070 or visit "pacificpower.net." Donations may be tax-deductible and are forwarded directly to the Oregon Energy Fund, which verifies eligibility and allocates funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in need within the same county in which the donor resides. This year, Pacific Power will match up to $144,000 in donations.

 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to head outside on the day after Thanksgiving. Popularly known as "Green Friday," the day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for many families. State parks will once again waive day-use parking fees in the 24 parks that are open tomorrow and normally charge for parking. Parking is free year-round at almost all state parks. The waiver applies to the parks that charge $5 daily for parking. Fee parks include popular destinations such as Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Silver Falls, Champoeg, LL Stub Stewart, Smith Rock and Milo McIver. A complete list of parks that require day-use parking permits is available online at "stateparks.oregon.gov." The fee waiver applies from open to close on Friday except at Shore Acres State Park, where it expires at 4 p.m. for the Holiday Lights event that runs through New Year's Eve.

 

UPDATE: ERIC ROSSITER HAS BEEN FOUND. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating a man whose family has reported him missing. According to the Sheriff's Office, 45-year-old Eric Rossiter is a transient from the Cave Junction area -- although he has a history in Grants Pass. It is currently unknown if Rossiter is still in the area or who he may associated with. His family has not spoken with him in over one year. Rossiter is described as a white male adult, 5-feet-9-inches tall and 285 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Eric Rossiter is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123. Please reference Case #23-29092.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist on a local warrant for violating his post-prison supervision during a traffic stop on Williams Highway near Murphy this week. OSP reports troopers pulled over a GMC Sierra driven by 38-year-old Jason Allen Eldred of Spirit Lake, Idaho, near milepost 7 of Highway 238 on Monday evening. Troopers said they stopped Eldred for traffic violations and discovered that his driving privileges had been suspended in Oregon. They contacted his corrections officer who requested he be detained on a local warrant. Jason Eldred was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Felony Parole Violation and was being held without bail. His pickup was towed to a Grants Pass impound yard.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for entering an unlocked vehicle and removing a CD case in the north part of the city early today. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the Lucky Duck on NW 6th Street around 1:45 this morning. Police said an employee of the Lucky Duck reported a white male wearing a black sweatshirt and blue jeans entered her unlocked Toyota Camry and stole a CD case valued at about $25. The caller advised the suspect fled north on 6th Street. Officers searched the area and located 37-year-old Matthew Gary Beard at the nearby McDonalds restaurant. He was placed into custody after probable cause was established that he committed the crime. Matthew Beard was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and 3rd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail and he was also trespassed from the Lucky Duck.

 

A Riverside Park camper was arrested for trespassing when he returned to the park after being excluded from the facility earlier this month. Grants Pass Police contacted 61-year-old Timothy Sern Teige on the west side of the city park during a patrol check around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. Police said Teige returned to Riverside Park after having been given a 30-day exclusion on November 8th. He was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. His park exclusion was extended for another 30 days. A shopping cart and trash were taken to the City Shops, and two large trash bags of Teige's property were logged into evidence for safekeeping.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a young camper on an outstanding warrant during a patrol of city parks early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers contacted 18-year-old Alexis Shoesmith at Morrison Centennial Park on Tuesday at about 10:55 a.m.. Police said they determined that Shoesmith was wanted on a local warrant for an unspecified crime. She was placed into custody without incident. Alexis Shoesmith was lodged at the Josephine County Jail, but she was released before the end of the day.

 

Police cited a motorist for three violations after an unusual traffic stop near the Grants Pass Shopping Center. Grants Pass Police pulled over a Jeep Cherokee driven by Patrick Erwin in the 900-block of NE D Street on Monday night. Police said Erwin was observed towing a trailer held together with two straps. The trailer was missing a wheel, so it sent sparks from the rear left axle as it traveled down the street. During contact with Erwin, he told officers he was by himself. However, officers were surprised when they heard a female banging on the walls of the trailer and yelling to be let out. The woman in the trailer stated that she was not being held against her will, but she wanted to make sure she was not left in the trailer. Erwin claimed he strapped the woman in the trailer because that was the only way he could close it. He was ultimately cited for Driving While Suspended, No Insurance and Operation of an Unsafe Vehicle. The Jeep and trailer were towed.