Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved sick leave benefit usage and a fee change hearing during today's Weekly Business Session. The first two agenda items were stricken from the administrative actions, and the board resolution for providing unused sick leave benefits to general service employees was discussed. A minimal cost to the county of about $1,000 would support this action. The board approved the resolution 3-0 along with the hearing and proposed fee changes for the BCC, Surveyor, Public Works, Recreation, Animal Shelter, and Public Health Departments. A public hearing would allow the public to weigh in on the fee changes that will go into effect January 1st, 2026. The proposed fee changes in full can be found at josephinecounty.gov on the Finance Department page. In the matter of confirming the Sheriff's Certificate of Sale, the board approved 3-0 and authorized proceed distribution and execution of all the quitclaim deeds and land sale contracts from the September 2025 Auction.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department observed a suspect wanted on a warrant at a local resting site Wednesday afternoon.

Officers contacted Carol Taylor-Selph at Resting Site 6, 704 NW 6th Street. They knew she had a Meth Possession warrant out for her arrest and took her into custody.

Taylor-Selph, while being read her rights, produced two glass pipes from her jacket pocket and admitted to using them to consume Methamphetamine. One of the pipes tested positive for meth.

Taylor-Selph was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for her warrant and a charge of Meth Possession. She was also issued a 30-day exclusion order from the resting site.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office apprehended a woman Wednesday afternoon on multiple warrants.

At 3:27 p.m., officers contacted Natassia Berger in the 1900 block of Lone Mountain Road. She was found to have three Sheriff’s Office warrants and a Grants Pass Police Department warrant out for her arrest.

Her charges included Failure to Appear for three counts of Felony Attempt to Elude, three counts of Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended, Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, DUII, and a Property Damage charge.

Berger was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants.

 

Oregon Main Street announced its 2025 “Excellence on Main” award winners Wednesday.

During the annual Main Street conference October 8th in Albany, the Excellence on Main awards honored outstanding accomplishments, activities, and people making a difference in historic downtowns across the state.

Among the 11 individuals, projects, activities, and businesses, the Holly Theatre in Medford was honored with the Bricks and Mortar Rehabilitation Award, and Phyllis Nelson with the Downtown Medford Association was recognized as a Standout Volunteer.

Oregon Main Street strengthens community networks, bolsters local economies, generates tax revenues, and fosters social connections across the state.

OMS leads a network of local Main Streets that oversee a wide range of programmatic efforts to build community, support local businesses, and create an attractive and vibrant environment for workers, visitors, and residents.

 

The Oregon State Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects in a fatal hit-and-run. On Tuesday, Sept. 30, at about 8:46 p.m., OSP responded to a report of a person down in the roadway in the 100 block of Hogue Drive, in Selma. Responding law enforcement determined the person had been struck by a vehicle, and the vehicle was no longer on scene. The pedestrian, Ray Arnold Wilder of Selma, was declared deceased at the scene. Detectives conducted witness interviews and learned a red truck and a white SUV with a black canopy were seen speeding away from the area after the crash. The vehicles reportedly drove past the scene several minutes later. The suspect vehicle is believed to have front-end damage and may have a broken windshield. Anyone with information is urged to call 800-442-2068 or *OSP from a mobile phone. Reference case number SP25-422785.

 

Grants Pass Police pulled over a vehicle for expired registration early this morning.

At 1:06 a.m. on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and NE Industry Drive, officers contacted the SUV driver, Matthew Barbosa, and cited him for driving while suspended and with no insurance.

Barbosa was found to be in possession of a small clear bag with over 6 grams of a crystalline substance which tested positive for amphetamines.

Barbosa was subsequently taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. His vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded.

 

Grants Pass Police contacted and arrested a woman after finding her smoking in her vehicle Tuesday night.

At 8:55 p.m., dispatch received a call from a man saying there were two people in the back of a black Chevy Tahoe smoking crack.

He said they had been in the vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes thought they were trying to get rid of something by tossing it out the door.

Officers arrived and contacted the man and woman in the Tahoe on the corner of SE Portola Drive and SE Herrick Lane. The woman, identified as Susan Zdziebkowski, was found to have a warrant out of Grants Pass for Second Degree Theft and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle.

Her identity was confirmed and she was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Tickets are available for the 2025 Tap Walk presented by the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, October 11th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., members of the community can stroll through downtown Grants Pass, going from business to business, and sample different brews and food options.

Tickets for this 21 and older event are $45 presale and $50 if purchased the day of the event. Get tickets now at grantspasschamber.org or at the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce at 1995 NW Vine Street.

With purchase of a ticket, you will receive a map of the event, commemorative pint glass, a reusable tote bag, plus free Wildlife Images trolley stops.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a potential drug deal out of an RV Tuesday afternoon.

A witness told dispatch there were drugs being sold through the window of an RV since 8 a.m. that morning on the 600 block of NE 7th Street. The witness said kids were present and that people were smoking out of a pipe next to a nearby dumpster.

Officers arrived to the scene, and a woman, later identified as Melissa Burger, was observed behind the dumpster. She quickly walked away but was contacted in a nearby parking lot.

Burger was wanted on an Eagle Point Warrant for Fraud and Furnishing False Information, and an Oregon Parole Board Warrant involving Drugs. She was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.