Local News

After 135 days, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District officially declared the end of the 2025 fire season in Jackson and Josephine Counties this morning at 12:01 a.m. Multiple days of widespread rain across the district and a shift to consistent fall weather allowed for all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to be lifted. The termination of fire season removes fire prevention regulations on equipment use and the use of fire for debris burning. This applies to the public and industrial operations on forestland, however, industrial slash burning is still prohibited. Many structural fire agencies require permits for residential debris burning. Check with your local fire department to obtain any necessary permits before burning and ensure it’s a burn day designated by county. For more information, call the Jackson County Burn Line at (541) 776-7007, or the Josephine County Burn Line at (541) 476-9663.

 

The Grants Pass City Council moved to address pay equity issues and offer a retroactive Cost of Living Adjustment of about 3% with further deliberation scheduled for the Compensation and Classification Plan. Councilman Seth Benham made the motion, and it passed 5-2. The Non-Bargaining Employee Compensation and Classification Plan was presented by taskforce recommending it take retroactive effect July 1st, 2025. The taskforce said the plan would support fiscal stability, balancing financial health and complying with Oregon Pay Equity law while hiring quality employees. There would be an increase of max vacation accrual from 200 hours to 370 hours to match analyzed averages. The presented cost was budgeted at just shy of $1.3 million, with $286,000 coming from the general fund. Following a grid system, the plan would place individuals based on experience and adjust based on pay equity.

 

A Fred Meyer shoplifter was apprehended by officers after a chase Sunday evening.

At 6:23 p.m., loss prevention from the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store notified officers that the suspect, Kody Halverson, had attempted to steal less than $100 of merchandise by concealing the items in his backpack.

Loss prevention got into a tug of war with Halverson over the backpack. Halverson eventually let go and proceeded to flee towards the O'Reilly Auto Parts at 150 NE Terry Lane.

Officers were able to locate Halverson and take him into custody. After admitting to the theft and tug of war, Halverson was charged with Third Degree Robbery.

A charge of First Degree Trespass was referred to the District Attorney's Office due to Halverson's prior trespass and theft from the Fred Meyer.

 

A Grants Pass Police Deputy contacted a man during an area check in the Shari's parking lot late Sunday night.

The man drove away afterwards and the officer noticed the vehicle had expired registration. After observing the suspect pull into the Verizon parking lot on Terry Lane, the officer conducted a traffic stop.

The suspect proceeded to provide two false names, until finally identifying himself as Richard Wallace Carlyle II. The deputy found Carlyle was wanted for a serviceable Oregon State Parole Board felony warrant and a Driving While Suspended Misdemeanor.

A wooden knife, meth, and a syringe that tested positive for the presence of meth were located inside Carlyle's vehicle. The deputy took Carlyle into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for his warrant, Driving While Suspended, Possession of Meth, and Providing False Information.

 

The Josephine County Commissioners finished unfinished workshop business during a brief discussion this morning.

After their department business items were stricken from the October 7 Workshop, the Human Resources Department brought Requisitions and Actions to the board for signatures.

The signed and approved requisitions included the Interim Human Resources Director, Public Works Managers, Recreation Operations Manager, a Corrections Deputy for the Sheriff's Office, and a Transit Operator.

The board also signed and approved Step Increases for the Assessor's Office, Community Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Recreation, and the Sheriff's Department.

Promotions and Pay Increases were approved for the Finance Director, Sheriff's Office Corporal Corrections, and the Community Corrections Division Manager for obtaining their master's degree.

The board then approved reinstatement of the Sheriff's Office Police Support Technician, a rehire of the Sheriff's Control Technician, the newly hired Group Life Counselor for Juvenile Justice, and a reclass for the Recreation Operations Manager.

Finally, during announcements, Commissioner Ron Smith voiced his support regarding a letter sent to the Forest Service encouraging the harvest of dead timber from the Moon Complex.

 

Two suspects were arrested at Walmart by Grants Pass Police officers on Sunday.

The first suspect, Gabriel Feliciano, was recognized by loss prevention as he entered the store. Having been previously trespassed within the last year, the serial thief was contacted by officers inside the store at 135 NE Terry Lane.

Feliciano admitted to possessing methamphetamine and meth paraphernalia in his backpack. Officers seized the items during a consent search, and contacted his parole officers, who requested a detainer.

Feliciano was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass, Meth Possession, and the detainer.

The second suspect officers contacted was Justin Stout, who admitted to stealing over $185 worth of merchandise from the same Walmart after walking past all points of sale.

Stout was trespassed from the store and taken into custody. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a Second Degree Theft charge.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners have a light agenda and multiple department business matters to cover during Tuesday's workshop.

The board will discuss county real property at 1798 SE "N" Street, and consider a board order regarding implementation of a clear bag policy for their weekly meetings.

Department business includes a resolution in the matter of property value appeals board appointments, the Forestry Department's Fall Tree Planting Contract, and invoices from the Airports and Public Works Departments.

After hearing from the Recreation and Public Health Departments, Community Justice will discuss payments and present amendments to personal service contracts and an Oregon Department of Education agreement.

The board will review the Hugo Heights Plat Map approval, potentially discuss other topics, and then adjourn.

Tuesday's County Administration Workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and stream live at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a harassment complaint regarding a suspect with a warrant out for his arrest Saturday morning.

At 8:18 a.m., dispatch was notified of the suspect, Andrew Taylor, harassing the Wonder Bur staff via text. The caller was notified to call law enforcement if Taylor arrived at the 116 SW H Street steakhouse.

Taylor called the staff again and drove by harassing them. A photo of his vehicle was sent to law enforcement, and officers located Taylor two hours later at the Sunset Inn at 1400 NW 6th Street.

A K-9 assisted with contacting Taylor, who was cooperative and found to be wanted on a Yamhill County Sheriff's Office warrant for Stalking and three counts of Contempt of Court.

Taylor was lodged on his warrant but was later released. Officers were unable to reach his parole officer.

 

A three-day event in Ashland will feature a variety of workshops and presentations designed to help employers and workers improve on-the-job safety and health.

On Oct. 14th-16th at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, the Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference will offer a preconference workshop with first aid, CPR, automated external defibrillator certification, and a professional development workshop on leadership and resolving conflicts.

Topics include hazard identification, fall protection, safety committees, confined spaces, respiratory protection, cultural change, and human resources concerns.

Special guest Scott Shumway, principal of Emiment LLC, will lead the Oct. 14th workshop on leadership and conflict resolution. On Oct. 15th, Jeff Crapo of Ethos Consulting Team LLC and Ethos Academy, will engage participants in fostering a positive team culture.

To register or for more information about upcoming workplace safety and health conferences, visit Oregon OSHA online.