Local News

Ashland Police and a Jackson County Crime Unit began investigating a homicide yesterday morning. On September 7th, at 3:38 AM, Ashland Police Officers and Paramedics from Ashland Fire & Rescue were dispatched to a report of a person laying on the ground next to a vehicle near ‘A’ Street and North 2nd Street in Ashland. According to Ashland Police, officers arrived to find a male who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics confirmed the male was deceased upon their arrival, and a homicide investigation was initiated. The Jackson County Major Assault/Death Investigation Unit was activated by Ashland Detectives. The investigation has revealed the victim was inside his parked vehicle when an unidentified suspect approached and fired multiple rounds at the victim, striking him several times.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man on an Out-of-State warrant over the weekend.

Officers contacted Bart Batesel Saturday morning and found he had a warrant from the Modesto Police Department in California.

The warrant charged Batesel with Digital Penetration of a Child, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, and Lewd Act with a Child.

Batesel was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will cover Department Business and more for Tuesday's workshop.

The board will discuss contracts for the Forestry and Transit departments, a Title V Grant for Women, Children, and Families for Public Heath, and several items for the Community Justice Department.

Afterwards, there will be a Finance report and Business update, followed by board business involving the Oregon State University Intergovernmental agreement.

The Commissioners Tuesday Administration Workshop will begin Tuesday, September 9th, starting at 1:30 pm in the BCC Conference Room. You can view it on the County's website or on the Josephine County YouTube channel.

 

A fatal crash occurred in Jackson county Wednesday evening.

On September 3, at 9:25 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on the Highway 62 Expressway, at the intersection with Highway 62, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Honda CRV, of Eagle Point, failed to negotiate a turn, lost control, and struck a concrete barrier.

The vehicle caught fire with two occupants entrapped. First responders arrived on scene and extricated the occupants.

A passenger in the Honda, Michael R. Graham, of Eagle Point, was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Honda was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

 

Oregon State Police responded to a fatal crash yesterday morning.

On Thursday, September 4th, at 6:05 am, a single vehicle crash occurred on Highway 99 near milepost 6 in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Mazda MZ3, operated by Tristan Mitchel Donaldson of Rogue River, was travelling at an excessive speed when it lost control, left the roadway, rolled multiple times, and came to rest against a tree.

Donaldson was declared deceased at the scene. The highway was impacted during the on-scene investigation.

 

Grants Pass Police contacted a woman after a reported trespassing and burglary complaint.

The woman stated she used to live with the now deceased owner of the house and was given permission from the owner to look after the residence.

Officers attempted and were unable to contact the Minnesota based property owner.

The woman's parole officer was notified of the contact and requested she be place on a detainer. During a consent search, the officer located a small cylindrical container on her key-chain.

There was a white crystalline substance inside that tested positive for methamphetamine. The woman was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for probation violation and possession of methamphetamine.

 

Former Josephine County Commissioner John West was ordered by a Josephine County Judge to pay over $28,000 in fees to Lily Morgan. According to the Daily Courier, Morgan, the lead petitioner in Wests recall campaign, was sued by West in December 2024. He alleged she misrepresented his position on six different grievances listed in the petition. Morgan asked the court to strike West's lawsuit under the "anti-SLAPP" law, allowing early dismissal of lawsuits that appear as retaliation for free speech or petitions. County Judge Robert S. Bain struck 5 of the claims West made, saying the grievances were matters of opinion. Bain found part of the 6th claim to factually inaccurate, where Morgan claimed West eliminated funding from law enforcement and public health. The stricken claims were dismissed, and Judge Bain, in a separate move, said the court is required to award Morgan the attorney's fees and costs, totaling about $28,721. Morgan has appealed the part of the claim she lost, and West's attorney said he intends to appeal the areas his client lost.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office caught a man with help from a Jackson County unit during a pursuit yesterday.

The man was pursued by officers and, upon contact, refused consent to have his vehicle searched.

He was found to have a felony warrant for a weapon offense, and was subsequently charged with possessing a prohibited firearm, plus 13 counts of felon in possession of a weapon.

Officers discovered later that the suspect also had two warrants under a different name out of Missouri and Wisconsin. After contact from officers, neither state served their respective warrant.

 

Applications are being accepted for two positions on the Urban Area Planning Commission.

One position is a four-year appointment; the other position is to fill a vacancy with an expiration date of September 18, 2028. All appointments to the UAPC need to have their principal residence within the City Limits or the Urban Growth Boundary.

The purpose of this commission is to review and decide on all Type III Land Use Applications, function as an appellate body on appeals from Type I and Type II decisions of the City Staff, and review and recommend to the Council action on all Type IV Land Use requests.

In accord with the growth management philosophies of the governing boards, the commission will investigate, review, analyze, and recommend necessary changes in growth management policies or physical capacities to meet the needs for the lands within the Urban Growth Boundary.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application". Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, October 3.

The commission will review applications on Wednesday, October 8. The Council will interview applicants at the Council Workshop on Monday, November 3, and make appointments at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, November 5.