Local News

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a man wanted on a Medford Police Department warrant following a traffic stop Wednesday.

A silver Chevy was pulled over near 200 Walters Drive for speeding at 10:48 a.m. Upon contacting the driver, Bryan Pena, deputies learned he was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant charging him with Furnishing False Information and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Pena was arrested by deputies and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant before being transported to another agency. The Chevy's registered owner was on scene and took possession of the vehicle.

 

The Interstate 5 Southern Oregon Wrong Way Driver Mitigation project has entered its final phase of work.

According to ODOT, short, nighttime closures of more than 40 off-ramps began last week in Douglas County.

Crews have been working since last summer to install signs, pavement markers and other safety features along I-5 off-ramps in both Josephine and Jackson Counties. These features help discourage drivers from entering the high-speed travel lanes from the wrong direction.

This final phase of work involves installing signs and roadside reflective posts, which requires closures of most I-5 off-ramps in the county for about two to four hours each. Contractors are working on about four off-ramps each night, with crews having completed most of the ramps between Glendale and Canyonville, plus several other ramps up to the Winston area.

Ramp closures are in place between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., Monday night to Friday morning. Each ramp is only closed once, and only one ramp is closed at any given time.

As these ramp closures continue through April, drivers are advised to use alternate routes, such as continuing to the next I-5 interchange and turning around. Watch for construction signs and roadside message boards.

 

Total payroll employment in Josephine County fell by 320 jobs in January.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, this was mostly due to seasonally typical losses in retail trade (-110); construction (-30); and leisure and hospitality (-20).

There were also job declines in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-20), and professional and business services (-20). Government employment slipped by 90 jobs in January. Job losses were posted in federal government (-40), local government (-40), and state government (-10).

Over the past year payroll employment in the Grants Pass MSA (Josephine County) dipped by 160 jobs, a loss of -0.6%.

Employment fell over the year in most private-sector industries, excluding private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality which gained 220 and 80 jobs, respectively. Job declines occurred in retail trade (-120); construction (-50); wholesale trade (-50); manufacturing (-40); financial activities (-40); and professional and business services (-30).

Government employment fell by 120 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education (-110), and local government excluding educational services (-20). State government added 10 jobs over the year.

Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 7.1% in January, little changed over the month and up from the January 2025 rate of 6.0%.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is reminding Oregonians that, as the May 19 elections draw near, it’s a good time to brush up on campaign sign placement rules.

According to ODOT, crews routinely remove improperly placed signs and other displays and items on any state highway right-of-way because they can distract drivers, create collision hazards, and block road safety messages.

Every election season, crews see political signs join other illegally placed items on highway right-of-way. ODOT says they receive complaints from the public and from candidates regarding the improper placement of political signs on highway right-of-way, where only official traffic control devices are allowed.

Wrongly placed political signs will be taken down and held at a nearby ODOT district maintenance office for 30 days. To reclaim signs, go to your nearest ODOT maintenance office.

The width of the state highway right-of-way can vary considerably depending on the specific location. If you’re uncertain whether you’re placing a sign on private property or highway right-of-way, check with the local ODOT district maintenance office.

Signs are prohibited on trees, utility poles, fence posts and natural features within highway rights-of-way. They also are prohibited within view of a designated scenic area. Local municipalities may also regulate the placement of political signs.

 

The Board of County Commissioners approved all agenda items during Wednesday evening's Weekly Business Session. The meeting opened at 5:30 p.m. with a board order for the Delegation of Signing Authority to the Interim Airports Manager. Following public comment, the commissioners moved in favor of the order 3-0. Also approved unanimously was an Illinois Valley Airport Fuel Farm Contract Award to All Construction Elements. This permits the installation of a fuel farm with an 8,000 gallon tank for the purpose of economic development in Cave Junction. The Authorization of Sale for property at 210 Tacoma Street passed, with the board approving 3-0 the full price offer. Lastly, an extension of the Franchise Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC for 10 years was approved. During public comment, there was concern for the recent Budget Committee terminations, as well as reported government hires and board spending. Topics brought to the board included ideas for franchise agreement changes and economic development, transparency, and inquiries about Michael Sellers.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will consider the delegation of signing authority to the Interim Airports Manager during tonight's Weekly Business Session.

Other administrative actions include an Illinois Valley Airport Fuel Farm Contract Award, a board order regarding the 210 Tacoma Street Property, and an Extension of the Franchise Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC.

The public may bring topics to the board during Requests and Comments from Citizens. The board will consider approval of the consent calendar, and, pending other matters, the meeting will adjourn.

Tonight's Weekly Business Session will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. Those wishing to attend may do so in person or via the county website.

The board is scheduled to meet in Executive Session Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room. According to the agenda, items include Consideration of Approval of Accredited Representatives of the News Media. Current Litigation and Litigation likely to be filed will be discussed.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on five warrants Tuesday night.

The officer contacted the suspect, Travis Davenport, at 1550 NW 6th Street around 10:52 p.m. He was known to the officer by sight and that he was wanted on five police department warrants. Four charged him with Possession of Methamphetamine, and one was for Third Degree Escape.

Davenport was taken into custody. After his warrants and identity were confirmed, he was transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged.

 

A campfire was reported Tuesday around 7:26 p.m., leading to one arrest by Grants Pass Police.

No one was seen around the campfire at the time of the report, and emergency crews responded to the scene just off 900 E Park Street. The campfire was located on the nearby island in the Rogue River.

Law enforcement was requested, and officers soon located a man that had left the scene towards Baker Park. Emergency units learned from bystanders that, while there was a fire in the area earlier, they weren't seeing it at that time.

The suspect, Austin Gardner, was contacted by officers. He was found to be wanted on a serviceable Springfield Police Department warrant for DUII. He was arrested after his identity was confirmed, and officers lodged him in jail.

 

A woman known to be wanted on a Methamphetamine Possession warrant was arrested in the Walmart parking lot Tuesday at 8:50 a.m.

An officer with Grants Pass Police observed the suspect, Julie Hatt, at the 135 NE Terry Lane supercenter. She was known to have a police department warrant out for her arrest, so she was stopped and arrested.

A consent search was conducted, and the officer located two bags of a white crystal like substance that field tested presumptive positive for meth. Hatt's identity was confirmed, and she was transported to the Josephine County Jail.

She was lodged on her warrant as well as a Meth Possession charge.