Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested an Illinois Valley woman last night after she was caught trying to enter vehicles at a Selma supermarket. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a trespassing complaint involving 50-year-old Shannon Leann Petersen at Ray's Food Place on Deer Creek Road around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. Deputies said a store employee reported that Petersen was attempting to get into vehicles in the parking lot and that she had been previously trespassed from the business. She was contacted and placed into custody without incident. Shannon Peterson was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

The Oregon State Police is apparently investigating another homicide in Josephine County, but the local law enforcement agency has not released any information on the incident. Josephine County Jail records show two men -- 25-year-old Julian Cendejas and 23-year-old Isaac Simonian -- were lodged within a seven-minute period last Friday night. Cendejas and Simonian were both charged with 2nd-Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Criminal Conspiracy. They were still being held without bail on Tuesday. OSP was listed in the booking history as the arresting agency, but no information has been released so far. A similar situation occurred last week when the agency provided no information about a homicide in Cave Junction. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office typically hands off homicide investigations to OSP due to a lack of resources.

 

An Eagle Point man is in custody for violating a restraining order and barricading himself inside a house when law enforcement arrived on scene. The Eagle Point Police Department reports officers responded to the incident involving 26-year-old Jacob Johnson in the 400-block of Merlee Circle on Monday afternoon. Police said Johnson was inside a residence armed with a knife and violating a restraining order. When they arrived on scene, he refused to answer the door. Officers tried to gain entry, but the suspect blocked the door and barricaded it. At that point, EPD called the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for assistance. Officers attempted to talk with Johnson and learned there was also a 16-year-old juvenile in the house who was secured in the bathroom. They continued to try to get Johnson to come out while also working to get the juvenile out safely. The teen eventually did exit the residence without incident and officers established contact with the suspect by phone. However, he refused to come out and made threats to harm officers through the use of weapons and a dog. Deputies and supervisors with the Sheriff's Office arrived and assisted with ensuring the safety of nearby residents and securing the area around the house. They also tried to negotiate with Johnson, but he continue to refuse to comply with efforts to resolve the situation peacefully. Deputies ultimately breached the door and placed the suspect into custody without incident.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for multiple crimes after catching him illegally entering an equipment yard this week. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 35-year-old Ian Seiwell Hogue for the incident at Grants Pass Equipment Rentals on Rogue River Highway on Monday night. Police said the business owner alerted them to an intruder after he was notified on his phone that someone was in the yard. They said he wanted to pursue charges if anyone was located inside the property. Responding officers contacted Hogue who they said "very clearly matched the silhouette seen on camera" at the equipment yard. They said the suspect lied about his identity and tried to leave the scene. After being advised he was under arrest, he fled on foot across the highway, impeding traffic. Ian Hogue was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, Escape and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. The name "Jimmy Sparilin" was entered as an alias for Hogue.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners has only one action item on its agenda for today's weekly business session. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider an order confirming the Sheriff's Property Sale that occurred on November 1st. Under the order, the Commissioners are scheduled to accept the Sheriff's Return of Sale and the Sheriff's Certificate of Sale before authorizing distribution of proceeds from the sale. Under Requests and Comments from Citizens, participants are given three minutes to address the Board on just about any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue recently hosted its annual badge-pinning ceremony for firefighters, engineers and lieutenants who have been promoted over the last year. Last week, the local firefighting agency recognized several promotions including Lieutenant Vavrock, Lieutenant Ward, Lieutenant Quintana, Engineer Alvarez, Engineer Taylor, Engineer Bennett and Firefighter Beiter. Those promoted during the ceremony were joined by their families, friends and distinguished guests. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue is proud to recognize these members and is confident in their ability to provide exceptional services to the city.

 

Grants Pass voters overwhelmingly approved the renewal of a levy to fund police and fire services in Tuesday's special election while the Josephine County Law Enforcement Service District was winning by a narrow margin. According to the unofficial results as of late last night, 78.22% of Grants Pass voters approved Measure 17-114 which is a five-year renewal of a $1.79 local option tax. Just under 22% of the voters said "no." The unofficial results show Josephine County voters approved Measure 17-115 by a 51.14% to 48.86% tally, a margin of 332 votes which is still too close to call. The law enforcement district -- which would include the City of Cave Junction -- would cost property owners 99 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. Josephine County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels reported voter turnout as of 11:15 last night was just over 34%, with about 33.4% of the ballots accepted. She said the next election update will be released on or before November 17th. Over the next few days, ballots that were mailed in will be included in the totals.

 

The Grants Pass School District recently welcomed the Chief of Staff for the Oregon Department of Education back to her alma mater. During her visit, Grants Pass High School graduate Tenneal Wetherell visited site-based special education programs, observed the district's new early learning program and toured the high school's Career and Technical Education programs. Wetherell's visit was highlighted by a meeting with members of the Grants Pass School Board when she recognized District 7 for its efforts in improving student reading and math scores across all grade levels for the 2022-23 school year. Wetherell said "it was wonderful to be back at my alma mater and see firsthand the great work the district is doing to support students." She added that "the special education programs, early learning initiatives and CTE offerings are impressive." The Grants Pass School District is grateful for Wetherell's visit and recognition of its efforts to improve student outcomes.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is waiving recreation day-use fees for visitors on Saturday in celebration of Veterans Day. The BLM recognizes and honors veterans' contributions to our nation and invites visitors to explore the unique and diverse natural landscapes and facilities found on America's public lands. Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon and Washington State Director, said he's thrilled to honor and celebrate veterans across the nation with a fee-free day for everyone. It's the last of BLM's fee-free days of 2023. Within Oregon and Washington, the BLM's standard amenity day-use fees will be waived locally at Hyatt Lake Recreation Area. The standard amenity fee waiver does not apply to any expanded amenity fees for overnight camping, group day-use, cabin rentals or individual Special Recreation Permit fees along rivers. You can search all available BLM recreation opportunities to explore on your public lands at "blm.gov.visit."