Local News

The Josephine County Clerk's Office was reporting a low turnout for the May 21st primary election.
On Friday evening, the Clerk's Office reported that only 13,366 out of 69,909 registered voters -- or 19.12% -- had returned their ballots. Out of the 13,366 ballots received, 12,815 had been accepted. Tuesday's primary election in Josephine County features eight candidates running for two positions on the Board of Commissioners, a ballot measure that would replace the Josephine County Charter, a local option tax to financially support the Josephine County Animal Shelter, and a bond levy to improve safety and security in aging Three Rivers School District buildings.The ballot deadline for the election is next Tuesday at 8 p.m.. Completed ballots can be mailed in or hand-delivered to designated drop sites before the deadline.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed two people who were allegedly involved in a shooting in the southern Illinois Valley early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies were alerted to the shooting incident in the 700-block of Lone Mountain Road near O'Brien on Thursday around 6 a.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report that he was taking his children to the bus stop when someone in a silver Honda Civic shot his truck and left the area. No one was injured, but the truck was damaged and the man's children were frightened. A short time later, the victim's wife called 9-1-1 to report that a white male adult in a blue truck was harassing them by driving back and forth past their house, slowing down, smiling at them and driving away. She told dispatchers she believed the man was associated with a property off East O'Brien Street. During the investigation, deputies developed probable cause to arrest a 37-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman as suspects in the shooting and ongoing harassment of the family. The male suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. The female suspect was lodged in jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. She was also being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a felon for multiple crimes after he illegally entered the yard of Farmer's Building Supply last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to an audible alarm and arrested the 42-year-old man at the business in the 1700-block of Dowell Road on Thursday shortly before 9 p.m.. Police said they found the male subject on the property in a vehicle that did not belong to him. During a consent search, the man was found to be in possession of a double-edged spring-loaded knife as well as a small amount of fentanyl. A records check revealed that he is a convicted felon banned from both weapons and drugs. According to the report, nothing was stolen from Farmer's. No information was provided as to how the man was able to enter the property. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and the narcotics violation. He was being held without bail.