Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a trespass request Sunday afternoon.

Deputies arrived at 102 S Redwood Highway around 3:42 p.m. The manager of the business said she thought she still had a valid trespass letter. She requested that anyone loitering be trespassed.

A new trespass letter was emailed to her, and deputies contacted a suspect, Joseph Ainsworth, trespassing at the lot. He was found to have a warrant out for his arrest for First Degree Arson.

He was taken into custody and lodged for his warrant in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The 911 dispatch center was called by a man saying he was being surveyed by the FBI early Sunday morning.

At 3:30 a.m., the suspect said he was traveling in a bus until it broke down. He was put up in the Best Western at 111 NE Agness Avenue where he was making the call. He requested contact to make a report for FBI subjects allegedly harassing and stalking him.

While on the line, it was determined the caller, Ali Cross, had a non-extraditable warrant out of Virginia for Assault, and a notice of caution from Washington for violent tendencies and assault on law enforcement.

Cross was agitated and began cussing. The call ended but he came back on the line still cussing and telling dispatch to send police or he was going to continue calling. He then hung up again.

A third call from Cross came through, where he said he wanted to fill out a complaint with the FBI. He was warned for his misuse of 911, and when he called back, he wanted to know if police were on their way, saying he was illegally being harassed by the FBI and Federal Informants.

Upon calling again, Cross was warned for misuse. He said he would keep calling and didn't care if he was warned for misusing 911. He was warned again, but he kept cussing and yelling at dispatch asking if police were en-route.

Cross continued to call 911. An employee of the hotel was heard in the background trying to quiet Cross down so he wouldn't disturb guests. Grants Pass Police did respond to the scene where they then detained Cross, trespassed him from the hotel, and took him into custody.

Cross was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for six counts of Improper Use of 911, as well as Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

 

The holidays can be a challenging time for people with substance use disorders, and the Oregon Health Authority has tips to help make the season safer and brighter.

OHA encourages planning ahead by preparing for potential triggers. Schedule healthy activities and avoid social situations that could lead to substance use.

Set boundaries and practice declining substances with a trusted friend. Maintaining connections with support groups and engaging in self-care can help as well. Always be prepared and familiar with your recovery plan and have a backup should challenges arise.

OHA reminds those struggling that help is always available. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org, call the Alcohol and Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357, go to FindSupport.gov, or FindTreatment.gov.

To learn more, visit oregon.gov/oha.

 

On Saturday, firefighters arrived on the scene of a fully involved structure in the 3600 block of Leland Road, west of Sunny Valley around 4:10 p.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the structure appeared unoccupied. No injuries were reported.

Rural Metro Fire was assisted at the scene and with move-up coverage by units from Grants Pass Fire, AMR-Josephine County, Illinois Valley Fire District, Applegate Fire District, Jackson County Fire District #1, Oregon State Fire Marshal, and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a dispute between a landlord and their tenant early Thursday morning.

The tenant told dispatch their landlord, Boyd Swan, was outside the property in the 300 block of Cheney Creek Road. Swan was reportedly beating on the door and had turned off the power.

The tenant said he was living in the shed, and that Swan had broken windows of the property. He continued to tell dispatch that he was "done" and wanted the landlord arrested. He was advised though that, at that time, the situation didn't meet callout criteria.

The tenant stated he was in fear for his safety, and was advised to call back if the situation escalated, but to stay inside until a deputy could contact him.

Law enforcement arrived and detained Swan. After investigating the matter, it was determined the tenant and landlord were in a feud after their dogs got into a fight on the property days prior.

Since then, according to the police report, Swan attempted to get the tenant off the property through fear and intimidation by throwing a brick through the tenant's window and boarding up the front door knowing the tenant was inside.

Swan was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Probation Violation, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, and Felony Attempt to Commit a Crime.

 

The Bureau of Land Management will close the gate on Bear Camp Road, located near Galice, on Monday, December 22.

The gate, which is closed annually for public safety due to the hazards of driving in winter weather, will remain closed until snow conditions allow for safe passage in the spring. Travelers are advised to use Highway 199 as an alternate route.

Bear Camp Road, which is managed by both the BLM and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, is a remote, mountainous route that connects the Rogue Valley to coastal areas. It is not plowed during the winter, and weather conditions can often change quickly, making road conditions hazardous.

The BLM and the RRSNF remind the public that it is crucial to Know Before You Go this time of year.

Be prepared by bringing additional warm clothing, water, and extra food to account for unexpectedly longer travel times. Carry chains, a flashlight, and proper attire to install the chains, should the need arise, and know that many routes and back country roads do not have cell service. Always let someone know your expected travel route.

In addition to paper maps, before you leave, download all of your public lands maps on Avenza, and know where you are at all times. Cell service is NOT necessary to use Avenza. You can also find District Maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps online.

 

Pacific Power is monitoring stormy weather for parts of Oregon and Washington in the coming days.

Pacific Power’s meteorology team is closely monitoring the approaching storms and crews are ready to respond to any weather-related outages.

They want to encourage customers to always be prepared for outages, and they support state and local emergency management organizations, who recommend Oregonians have an emergency plan for up to 72 hours without essential services.

Steps customers can take to prepare and stay informed include updating your contact information with Pacific Power, signing up to receive outage alerts by text, email or phone, restocking your outage kit, keeping mobile devices charged, utilize Pacific Power's free app, or text OUT to 722797 to report your outage or STAT to check status.

You can also visit www.pacificpower.net/outages for restoration estimates.

Pacific Power reminds everyone stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous.

For more information and to report any outages, call Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.

 

A suspect wanted for murder was contacted by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies at the local Walmart Thursday afternoon.

Around 3:06 p.m., deputies contacted the suspect, Derek Shaffer, at the 135 NE Terry Lane store. He was wanted on a felony warrant charging him with Murder in the Second Degree, a secret indictment for Homicide, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Shaffer was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his warrant.

 

Grants Pass Police conducted a traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of man out-of-compliance with his sex offender registration.

The suspect, Francis Ward, was observed operating a silver Pontiac driving west on NE E Street. He was driving approximately 25 mph in a 20 mph speed zone, then failed to signal a turn south on 9th Street.

After being pulled over, Ward initially refused to provide any identification. However, officers found he was an out-of-compliance sex offender. He was also suspended at the violation level.

Officers informed Ward he was under arrest, but he began to physically resist being taken into custody. After being read his rights, Ward stated he had liability insurance for the vehicle and provided a policy number. A call to Progressive showed the vehicle in question wasn't on the policy.

Ward was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Resisting Arrest, and Giving False Information about Liability Insurance to Law Enforcement. He was later cited for a Driving While Suspended violation and Driving Uninsured.