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Vacancy Available Historical Buildings & Sites Commission

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission due to a vacancy. This position expires on December 7, 2026. The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary; to promote the community historic preservation; to advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation; and to identify areas of archeological significance and buildings of historic or archeological significance. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. This position is for a representative from local historical societies in Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or by following the link below to apply online. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the committee on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The Council will interview applicants at the Council Workshop on Monday, September 15, 2025, and make appointments at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Posted on 7/17/25 4:55AM by Chuck Benson

Medford Man Gets 10 Years for Sexually Exploiting A Child Online

A Medford man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for using Snapchat and Kik Messenger, online social media and messaging platforms, to coerce and sexually exploit an Oregon child online.
Nicholas James Shaw, 38, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $66,000 in restitution to his victims.According to court documents, in March 2022, Homeland Security Investigations received CyberTips regarding child sexual exploitation materials uploaded to their platforms between October 2021 and April 2022. Investigators traced the accounts to Shaw and learned that, for approximately eight months, Shaw had engaged in sexually explicit communications with a minor online and coerced the victim into producing and sending him sexually explicit photos and videos. On June 28, 2022, HSI agents executed a federal search warrant on Shaw’s residence and seized several electronic devices which contained child sexual abuse material. On June 29, 2022, Shaw was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with transportation, receipt, distribution, possession, and access with intent to view child pornography.On January 21, 2025, Shaw pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor. As part of the plea agreement, Shaw agreed to pay restitution in full to his victims and forfeit criminally derived property used to facilitate his crimes.This case was investigated by Homeland Security with assistance from the Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

Posted on 7/17/25 4:53AM by Chuck Benson

Gold Hill Man Missing Since Monday; Assistance Requested

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is searching for a man missing out of Gold Hill since the evening of July 14. Roland “Rolly” Renfro left his house in the 1500 block of Rogue River Highway in Gold Hill and was last seen driving east in his Silver 2015 Ford F-350 with a personalized license plate of ELK-RNR. Roland is described as a 73-year-old man with fair skin, standing 6’1” tall, weighing 320 lbs., bald with hazel eyes. He is accompanied by his small pug/terrier mix dog. Roland has existing medical issues which require daily medications and it is unknown if he has those with him. He frequents the outdoors and is likely in a rural part of Jackson County.JCSO, Family, and friends have searched the Gold hill/Butte Falls/Prospect areas and have been unable to locate him or his vehicle. If you see Roland or his vehicle, call ECSO Non-Emergency Dispatch at (541) 776-7206 and reference JCSO Case 25-3740.

Posted on 7/17/25 4:51AM by Chuck Benson

Grizzly Complex of Fires in Late Stages of Mop-Up

Fire lines across the Grizzly Complex are holding strong as firefighters work to finalize containment and extinguish remaining hot spots. The overall containment across the complex reached 58%, with all fires individually at least 50% contained. Over half of the fires reached 90% or more containment and are being actively patrolled for potential flare-ups, although none have been found to date. Today, continued progress is expected, with day crews aiming to complete 300 feet of mop-up into the fire perimeters, extinguishing all fire or heat throughout these areas. This progress will allow repair work to begin and enable some resources to be released from the fire line. Initial attack resources from ODF CIMT 3 remain ready to respond to any new flare-ups or fire starts in the area alongside the ODF Southwest Oregon District. Some smoke may still be visible from the center of fire perimeters. Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation notices remain in place for zones JAC-542, JAC-558, and Zone JAC-536. For the latest updates on evacuations, visit: https://protect.genasys.com. All lanes on Interstate 5 are now open, but firefighters are still working in the area. Please be aware and use caution when traveling near any fire zones.

Posted on 7/17/25 4:41AM by Chuck Benson

GPCC Annexes Roguelea Ln. Property & Okayed FEMA Required Compliance Measures

The City Council approved the annexation of a property at 600 Roguelea Lane into the city limits. The south edge of the property abuts the city limits at the north end of Larch Lane. The parcel already has city zoning of R-1-8. The general plan from the developer is a 20-lot residential subdivision with 5 parent parcels for 69 middle housing units. The council approved a resolution authorizing the city’s Floodplain Manager to execute the FEMA required pre-implementation compliance measures on a permit by permit basis. This allows homeowners within the 100-Gpyear flood plain to access flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance program. The permit by permit plan allows the community to evaluate compliance with the Environmental Species Act through the use of a Habitat Assessment report.

Posted on 7/16/25 7:01PM by Chuck Benson

Interfering with Afternoon Commuting Traffic Lands Suspect in Jail

Multiple 911 calls sent Grants Police Officers hurrying to the South Y intersection to investigate a white male adult walking east in the middle of the road during prime afternoon drive time. The first call at 5:14 p.m. described the man and stated he was walking in and out of traffic, attempted to enter the caller’s vehicle and attempted to get into other vehicles as well. Other callers stated the man was knocking on other car’s windows when they were stopped at traffic lights. An officer reported having eyes on the suspect at 5:17 and being out with the subject at 5:19. The subject was identified as 28-year-old William Gene Bruhnsen-Studzinski and was officially arrested at 5:31p.m. He was lodged in the county jail on a charge of disorderly conduct II. He was previously arrested on July 12th for criminal trespass and on June 23rd for resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer, criminal mischief II and reckless burning.

Posted on 7/16/25 10:02AM by Chuck Benson

Anonymous 911 Call Alerted City Police to Suspected DUII Driver with an Infant

An anonymous 911 call Tuesday night just after 11 p.m. alerted Grants Pass City Police to a suspected intoxicated driver with a distressed infant in the back seat sending Officers northbound on Hawthorne Avenue. A license plate number returned to a Trevor Janssen and Officers located the vehicle at the registered address in the 1700 block of Hawthorne Avenue with the driver’s door left open and the infant alone in the back seat. According to the police report Janssen came out of his residence several minutes later and showed signs of impairment. He consented to field sobriety tests and a breath test. He was arrested and lodged in the county jail on charges of driving under the influence, child neglect and recklessly endangering. He remained in custody Wednesday morning. The child’s mother responded to take the infant into her care.

Posted on 7/16/25 9:26AM by Chuck Benson

2-Vehicle Crash on Redwood Highway Sends Three to Hospital

The Oregon State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash near milepost 8 on the Redwood Highway Tuesday morning about 6:30 that resulted in road blockage and serious injuries. All occupants were transported to medical centers for treatment. The at-fault driver and passenger received the greatest injuries with both taken into surgery and were still being treated in the intensive care unit Wednesday morning. The other driver had minimal injuries. Few other details were available other than one vehicle was a Ford Focus and one was a GMC Pickup. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Posted on 7/16/25 9:08AM by Chuck Benson

Felon Lodged on Detainer Following Harassment Allegations

A convicted felon is in the Josephine County Jail after allegedly harassing a female roommate after consuming alcohol. Sheriff’s dispatchers received a call Tuesday afternoon at 12:58 from a caller stating she is renting a room in a home and the landlord is out of town, but his son, who was just released from prison, is intoxicated and harassing her. The son could be heard yelling in the background as the 84-year-old woman, who uses a walker, had retreated to her room for protection. Josephine County Deputies contacted the suspect, now identified as David Mitchell McFarland, 46, and notified his parole officer. The P.O. placed a detainer on McFarland, who was then transported to the county jail and lodged on a post-prison sanction. He remained in custody Wednesday morning.

Posted on 7/16/25 8:20AM by Chuck Benson

Rolling Pin Assault Lands Elderly Woman in Jail

Elderly woman jailed for assault following drug and alcohol fueled disturbance at a residence in the 2900 block of Merlin Road. Josephine County Deputies responded Tuesday morning just before 11 a.m. to a caller saying a woman, who was alleged to be under the influence of alcohol and meth, was swinging a rolling pin at him. Dispatchers heard the woman screaming in the background. The caller stated the woman was blocking him from returning to his trailer. The victim, who is on blood thinners, was using his forearms to block the blows from the rolling pin and showed significant bruising to his arms along with cuts on his right bicep and both knees where he had been kicked. The suspect, 73-year-old Sherryl Marie Parliament, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and unlawful use of a weapon. She was transported and lodged in the County Jail and remained in custody Wednesday mor.

Posted on 7/16/25 7:44AM by Chuck Benson

River Rescue has Happy Ending

A happy ending was the result following three emergency responding agencies mobilized Tuesday afternoon at 3:27 to find a missing rafter on the Rogue River. Rescue crews from Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to the Winterbottom Riffle just above Chinook Park, to assist the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with locating a missing rafter. Initial reports indicated a male and female had dumped out of their individual rafts at the riffle and only needed assistance from one bank to the other. However, upon the deputy's arrival they determined the male was still missing. It was also unclear if the missing male was wearing a life jacket. Water rescue crews, including the rescue boat from GP Fire's Parkway Station, searched the water and banks from Baker Park to above Chinook Park. An authorized drone pilot from Josephine County Search & Rescue also assisted. After the search was called off, deputies clearing the scene located the missing male on a nearby road and confirmed there were no injuries. Even though this incident had a positive outcome, it provides another opportunity for First Responders to reiterate to river-users that properly worn life jackets are very valuable when rafts unexpectedly overturn.

Posted on 7/16/25 6:39AM by Chuck Benson

FEMA-Required Program for Floodplain Property Faces Council Vote

The Grants Pass City Council is poised to act tonight on a resolution authorizing the City’s Floodplain Manager to execute the FEMA-required pre-implementation compliance measures on a permit basis.
The Federal program enables property owners in participating communities to purchase flood insurance while requiring local governments to enforce minimum floodplain requirements.The City has approximately 1.088 properties that would be subject to the regulations if property owners choose to develop or redevelop. On average, the City’s planning department reviews and issues about three floodplain permits annually. Councilors have three different FEMA options to choose from. The Council will also consider annexing a Roguelea Lane parcel into the City Limits. The City Council’s business session is Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 101 Northwest 6th Street.

Posted on 7/16/25 5:53AM by Chuck Benson

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