Local News

Suspect Driver that Knocked Over Mailbox Arrested by GP Police for Hit and Run
Grants Pass Police apprehended a suspect after a hit and run complaint Wednesday afternoon.

A caller reported their mailbox was knocked over after a woman backed up her vehicle, hit it, and then drove away.

Officers were able to track the suspect down in the 1800 block of Rogue River Highway. They contacted Tina Serpa who was stumbling and admitted to drinking alcohol.

Serpa was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Officers charged her with Hit and Run Causing Property Damage.
Posted on 10/23/25 11:38AM by Alex Bauer
 

GP Police Apprehended Previously Trespassed Man at Walmart
Officers with Grants Pass Police responded to the local Walmart for a shoplifting complaint Wednesday morning.

The previously trespassed suspect, Gabriel Feliciano, returned to the 135 NE Terry Lane location and attempted to deprive the store of a cart full of stolen merchandise.

Feliciano left the building out the emergency exit and began walking towards the Grocery Outlet. He was later contacted by arriving law enforcement.

Feliciano was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass and Theft, as well as a Parole Violation.
Posted on 10/23/25 11:27AM by Alex Bauer
 

JoCo Sheriff's Office Apprehended Two Meth Possession Suspects in Separate Incidents
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two people wanted on meth possession warrants Wednesday afternoon.

At 12:15 p.m. at 134 S Redwood Highway, deputies contacted John Hruska at the backside of a building on the property. The owner of the location wanted him trespassed.

Deputies learned Hruska was wanted on a Grants Pass Police Department warrant for Meth Possession, so they took him into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail. He was also trespassed from the location for a year.

Then at 2:13 p.m. at 200 S Caves Avenue, deputies contacted and detained Sarah Jaentsch. She had a Sheriff's Office warrant for Unlawful Possession of Meth, and was found to have drug paraphernalia, which deputies seized for destruction.

Jaentsch was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrant.
Posted on 10/23/25 6:59AM by Alex Bauer
 

Board of Commissioners to Appoint Public Works Management Positions at Workshop
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The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will appoint two Public Works Department positions at the end of their General Discussion today. After a review of the applications and the interview process, the board will appoint an Engineering, Roads, Operations, and Fleet Manager, and an Administration, Budget, and Accounting Manager for the Public Works Department. At the start of the discussion, the board will cover department invoices, as well as many Personnel Requisitions and Actions from Human Resources. To conclude the meeting, the board may consider other matters, then the meeting will adjourn. Today's General Discussion will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those wanting to attend in-person are required to comply with the clear bag policy.
Posted on 10/23/25 5:42AM by Alex Bauer
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I.V. Chamber of Commerce Awarded $100,000 Grant for “Gateway to the Stars”
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The Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce has been awarded $100,000 through Travel Oregon’s Recreation Ready Program - Phase 2 to advance its Gateway to the Stars initiative. The project highlights the Illinois Valley’s potential as a destination for dark sky and astronomy-based tourism. Building on the success of the program’s Phase 1 feasibility study, Phase 2 will move the project forward including community dark sky outreach opportunities, dark sky and accessibility consultations, and lighting retrofits. A portion of the Chamber’s outreach budget will also be used to promote the Phase 2 activities through local and regional media, community events, and visitor engagement campaigns. Travel Oregon’s Recreation Ready program is aimed at supporting communities in developing outdoor recreation visitor experiences that drive economic prosperity and respect natural environments while increasing access and equity.
Posted on 10/23/25 5:00AM by Alex Bauer
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Rollover Crash Occurred in Selma, Emergency Crews Responded
Emergency crews responded to a rollover crash Wednesday afternoon.

At 2:22 p.m., the accident occurred at the McCaleb Ranch Swinging Bridge area located on Illinois River Rd in Selma.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene of a vehicle that had gone over the side.

One individual was transported by AMR with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Posted on 10/23/25 4:33AM by Alex Bauer
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Man Trespassing at Water Treatment Plant Arrested by GP Police
Grants Pass Police were notified of a man trespassing at the Water Treatment Plant Tuesday morning.

Officers identified the man as Jack Doak. He was on a platform at the bottom of the filtration plant at 821 SE M Street, and he appeared to be impaired.

Fire crews responded to the scene and provided transportation for the officers to remove Doak from the riverbank.

Once safely ashore, officers contacted Doak's parole officer and were subsequently instructed to place Doak on a detainer. Officers took him into custody after he admitted to using methamphetamine within the last 48 hours.

Doak was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. He was also trespassed from the Water Treatment Plant.
Posted on 10/22/25 11:55AM by Alex Bauer
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GP Police Arrested Cyclist Wanted on Two Out-of-County Warrants
Grants Pass Police officers stopped a man wanted on two out-of-county warrants early this morning.

At 4:28 a.m., the suspect, identified as Shallone Sheets, was stopped at the corner of SE 6th Street and Voorhies Way. He was found to have two warrants out for his arrest.

Sheets had a one warrant out of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for Possession of Meth, and one from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for Larceny.

During a consent search, officers found a cylindrical glass pipe along with a crystalline substance inside a small plastic baggy on Sheet's person. The substance field tested positive for methamphetamine. Sheet's parole officer was advised of the arrest.

After confirmation of his identity, officers transported and lodged Sheets in the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 10/22/25 11:31AM by Alex Bauer
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GP Police Apprehended Man Out of Sex Offender Compliance during Traffic Stop
A Grants Pass Police officer pulled over a man for expired registration Tuesday afternoon.

At 1:47 p.m., the traffic stop was conducted at the corner of Harbeck Road and Southridge Way. The driver of the silver Chevy truck had failed to renew their vehicle registration.

The suspect, Shawn Fitzgerald, was contacted and run through dispatch. He was found to be out of compliance for failing to register as a sex offender.

The officer put Fitzgerald in constructive custody and issued him a citation to appear in court. He was warned by the officer for failing to renew his registration, and released.
Posted on 10/22/25 11:06AM by Alex Bauer
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County Commissioners to Discuss County Legal Property Usage at Business Session
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The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will discuss the potential usage of county real property during Thursday's Weekly Business Session. The property at 1798 NE N Street was proposed as the site Pathways to Stability would use in their Addressing Homelessness Grant Program Application. The property, and action considering a JB Steel Invoice payment, are on the agenda. There will be two public hearings to kick off the session: The first reading of an ordinance amending the Josephine County Code to Update Rural Land Development Code Sections and create Chapter 19.998 - Marijuana Businesses, and an ordinance repealing a chapter of the County Code relating to Marijuana Business annual compliance certificate and regulations. Following public comment, the board will also cover the consent calendar, approving minutes and potentially discussing other matters before adjournment. Thursday's Weekly Business Session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. All meeting attendees are reminded to comply with the clear bag policy.
Posted on 10/22/25 9:36AM by Alex Bauer
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JoCo Sheriff's Office Apprehended Woman Wanted on Out-of-County Warrant
Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect on an out-of-county warrant Tuesday evening.

The suspect, Karin Cole, was stopped in her white SUV around 6:50 p.m. at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Ken Rose Lane.

Upon contacting Cole, deputies found she was wanted on a Wasco County Sheriff's Office warrant for Meth Possession. She was subsequently taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 10/22/25 6:55AM by Alex Bauer
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JoCo Sheriff's Office Arrested Man Trespassing and Taking Pictures on Property
Josephine County Sheriff's Office deputies were called out to a trespassing complaint Tuesday afternoon.

Around 3:45 p.m., dispatch received a call from a woman saying a man was wandering around her property in the 300 block of Prottsman Way.

She said the suspect was taking pictures while standing outside next to his vehicle, a white Kia Rio.The property has a gate, and there are "private property" and "no trespassing" signs on the premises.

Deputies arrived and contacted the suspect, James Howard, at the scene. He admitted to trespassing, was subsequently arrested, cited for Second Degree Trespass, and then released.
Posted on 10/22/25 5:46AM by Alex Bauer
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