Local News

Community members are invited to attend a demonstration of free online genealogy research tools at the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library.

According to a release, the program takes place Saturday, October 10th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will gain hands-on guided practice using some of Oregon’s largest newspaper and research databases including Archives West, BLM General Land Office Records, Chronicling America, Josephine County Property Records, Northwest Digital Heritage, Oregon Digital Newspaper Program, Oregon Historic Sites Database, Oregon State Archives, and State Library of Oregon.

Participants are encouraged to bring personal devices such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. A limited number of laptops are available to borrow while supplies last for those who do not have their own device.

This workshop is offered in partnership between Josephine County Historical Society, Josephine Community Library, and the Southern Oregon Library Federation. It is sponsored in part by 2026 funding from Oregon Heritage.

A library card is not needed to participate. Space is limited and pre-registration is recommended. Register at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsGYy_3fLI_wCazjWhKR6rV_awqZ9Xf8VHNCCeQlOcqniELg/viewform.

 

MINT, the Mobile Integrative Navigation Team, has withdrawn from lease negotiations with Elk Island Trading Group, LLC, and will conclude its current arrangement for Parker’s Place Village on October 15th, 2026. According to a release from MINT, this decision follows an extended period of discussion regarding the terms under which MINT would lease the Parker’s Place Village property and manage shelter operations. The parties were unable to reach mutually workable terms for both organizations. The property and all shelter operations have been, and will remain, with Elk Island Trading Group, LLC. MINT will continue to provide inclement weather shelters, as well as navigation services and case management through the MINT Navigation Center and mobile navigation throughout the community. These services will remain available to individuals residing at Parker’s Place Village, and those in the community without a safe place to stay. In addition, MINT will continue coordinating breakfast Monday through Friday and lunch seven days a week for all 150 Parker’s Place Village residents.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a repeat trespasser at Bi-Mart Thursday night.

Daniel Hubanks was contacted around 8:36 p.m. at the 230 Redwood Highway business after having been previously trespassed September 4th. He and one other individual were trespassed and given an hour to gather their belongings and leave.

Hubanks admitted to knowing he was trespassing, so he was placed under arrest. According to the police report, the jail refused to lodge Hubanks due to ongoing medical issues. He was then issued a citation in the jail parking lot for Second Degree Trespass, and released.

 

A man asking for money outside Chipotle was reported to law enforcement, later to be arrested for trespassing.

The assistant manager of the 1000 NE E Street restaurant called 911 Thursday at 7:55 p.m. to report the suspect. He had been asking customers for money and food, and when asked to leave, he told the complainant to call the police, and remained unlawfully on the property.

It was requested the suspect be trespassed, and Grants Pass Police responded to the scene to find him inside the building. Officers identified him as Silas Houze, arrested him, and transported him to jail to be lodged on a Second Degree Criminal Trespass charge.

He was trespassed from the Chipotle, and a bike in his possession was logged for safekeeping.

 

Oregon State Police, during a traffic stop, arrested a suspended driver with a Douglas County warrant out for his arrest.

Thursday at 8:50 a.m., the driver of a green Jeep was pulled over on Interstate 5 after he was observed not wearing a seatbelt by troopers. The driver, Steven Despain, was arrested for his warrant charging him with Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Troopers also cited Despain for Driving While Suspended and Uninsured, and warned him for Failure to Use a Safety Belt and Failure to Register his Vehicle. The Jeep was towed from the scene. Due to a lack of jail resources, Despain was later released.

 

Applications are being accepted for one position on the Grants Pass Development Code Review Taskforce. Appointments are for the duration of the taskforce.

The purpose of the taskforce is to review and evaluate the Grants Pass Development Code to help simplify and streamline the City’s land use process and various development standards.

The desired outcome is a written recommendation to the City Council containing specific actions to modernize the code to reduce ambiguities and barriers to new construction investment and development projects within the Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary.

The special qualifications and/or experience for these positions include being a licensed civil engineer or architect, local builder, residential or commercial developer, and an at-large citizen representative.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.org/committee-application.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. September 29th. Appointments will be made by the Council at their October 21st meeting.

 

Grants Pass Police cited two individuals Wednesday following theft attempts at NE Terry Lane businesses.

The first suspect was reported by WinCo loss prevention at 7:13 p.m., after he ran off with almost $45 worth of food. The suspect with grayish brown dreads, wearing brown pants and a tie dye shirt, was standing in the Walmart parking lot at the time of the report, and was soon located by arriving officers outside the Taco Bell.

He matched the description provided, and told police loss prevention had recovered the items, and that he was sorry for his actions. Officers issued the suspect, Scott Smith, a citation for Third Degree Theft. He was also trespassed from WinCo.

Later that same hour, Brianna Bailey was contacted by Walmart loss prevention after passing all points of sale with multiple merchandise items concealed on her person. She was detained and admitted to stealing the items totaling over $61.

Officers placed Bailey under arrest, then released her with a citation to appear in court for Theft in the Third Degree.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies contacted a man standing in the roadway Wednesday, and later arrested him for a warrant.

Deputies were informed that a man wearing a tan jacket was standing in the roadway of an undisclosed location around 5:18 a.m. During a check of the area, the suspect, Johnny Huffman, was contacted and found to have a Josephine County warrant for misdemeanor Driving While Suspended.

The warrant was confirmed, and Huffman was taken into custody. He was lodged in jail for his warrant, and deputies advised Oregon State Police of the arrest.

 

A woman known to be wanted on three warrants out of the Grants Pass Police Department was apprehended Wednesday afternoon.

Officers observed Brittany Adams at the 5th Street overlook at 1:32 p.m. Her identity was confirmed, and she was quickly taken into custody for her three warrants. Charges against Adams include Failure to Appear for a Drug Offense, a Probation Violation, and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Police transported Adams to be lodged in the Josephine County Jail for her warrants. Her parole officer was advised.