Local News

The Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass sends its thanks to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to their 2025 Annual Gala, “Storytellers.”

The PCC said, "This year’s event was made possible through the generosity of our sponsors, in-kind donors, and volunteers who gave their time and resources to help make the evening a success. Because of your support, the Pregnancy Care Center can continue offering free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, parenting education, and compassionate care to individuals and families in our community."

Thanks to the partnership of many businesses and individuals, the Pregnancy Care Center is able to continue serving our community, and they thank everyone for helping them make a difference, one story at a time.

 

A brief recess paused today's County Administration Workshop due to an undisclosed security issue. The board reconvened shortly thereafter, and invited U-Turn for Christ to introduce their proposal for a 24-hour supervised, low-barrier entry site to help provide shelter and reintegration resources for the homeless. Further discussion will be on the next workshop agenda. The board approved a manager report and recommendation regarding County Legal Property at 210 Tacoma, along with documents from the September auction. A recommendation to stick with a 10% fee funding 50% of property management in the matter of confirming the Sheriff's certificate of sale and authorization to distribute the proceeds was also approved. Department business saw no objection from the commissioners to the Sheriff's request for authorization to acquire the e-Citations Integration Program.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Technical Rope Rescue Team saved a man after he fell nearly 300 feet down a cliff near Prospect. At 2:19 a.m. Saturday, October 4, dispatch received a call reporting that a man had gone over a Rogue River canyon cliff near the 1100 block of Mill Creek Drive. Witnesses told dispatchers they could hear the man calling for help from below. The Jackson County Fire District 4 and JCSO deputies responded with assistance from the JCSO Fire District 3 Technical Rescue Team, and determined that a high-angle rope rescue would be necessary. The JCSO SAR Technical Rope Rescue Team and Fire District 3, conducted a complex rope operation. Using 400 feet of rope and a litter, SAR volunteers lowered rescuers and raised the injured man back to safety from the bottom of the canyon. Mercy Flights Inc. transported the man by air ambulance to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

 

A call came in to the Grants Pass Police Department about a trespassing complaint Monday afternoon.

Officers learned the suspect had arrived at a property in the 1300 block of NE 10th Street, and refused to leave.

The caller had just returned to the location and found the suspect there, and told officers the suspect wasn't allowed on the property.

Officers contacted the suspect inside the residence and took her into custody. She was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Trespass and a Parole Violation Detainer.

 

The James C. Richards Award was presented to Rogue River Mayor Pam Van Arsdale Friday during the League of Oregon Cities’ 100th Annual Conference in Portland.

The League says this award is given to an elected city official who serves the citizens of Oregon through exceptional personal investment in intergovernmental affairs.

During her eight years as Mayor, Van Arsdale has modernized city policies and secured vital transit services from neighboring counties.

Her regional leadership includes eight years on the Rogue Valley Council of Governments board, and she also serves on the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development’s Local Officials Advisory Committee and several LOC Policy Committees.

In 2018, her efforts were recognized with the Mayor’s Leadership Award for Small Cities from the Oregon Mayors Association.

Balancing a full-time career with civic engagement, Mayor Van Arsdale sets a high bar for integrity and impact. Her steadfast commitment to open, educated discussion, along with realistic solutions, has benefited her city, Jackson County, the Southern Oregon region, and the entire state.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office made a traffic stop Monday morning resulting in the arrest of a man with two warrants.

Officers pulled over Tyler Garland at the corner of Fruitdale Drive and Gaffney Way. He was found to be wanted on both a Grants Pass and Jackson County Warrant.

Garland was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the warrants for Fentanyl and Meth Possession, First Degree Forgery and Theft, and Three Counts of Identity Theft.

Garland was also cited for Driving While Suspended, and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

 

Following a report of a traffic accident, the Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to the Collier Tunnel by Gasquet Fire and Del Norte Ambulance.

Upon arrival, responding units assessed two vehicles involved in the incident blocking the lane, with no reported injuries.

The scene was subsequently released to Gasquet Fire and the California Highway Patrol.

 

Thirty-one Oregon arts organizations will receive $10,000 grants to strengthen K-12 arts education during the 2026 fiscal year.

According to the Oregon Arts Commission, the awards are part of a $310,000 investment from the OAC's Arts Learning grant program. Every funded project is a collaboration with local schools and communities across Oregon.

Two recipients of the grant funding include the Rogue Valley Art Association in Medford, in support of the Elementary Arts Outreach serving up to 900 5th graders in Jackson County schools, and the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization in Cave Junction, supporting RiverStar's dance and theatre education for youth ages 5-18 in rural Illinois Valley and Josephine County.

These projects foster the sharing of knowledge between artists and educators and positively impact the achievement, skills, and attitudes of learners.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing a purse out of someone's vehicle Sunday night.

Officers contacted the victim in the 100 block of NE Evelyn Avenue. She said that she and her husband returned to their vehicles and realized both cars had been broken into, and that her purse had been stolen.

An off-duty Oregon State Police officer later identified the suspect looking into and attempting to break into other vehicles. She was contacted by officers, who identified her as Mya McCreery.

She admitted to entering the victim's vehicle and stealing the purse. McCreery was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Theft and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. The purse was returned to its owner.