Local News

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department were alerted to a verbal dispute complaint Saturday afternoon.

An argument between a man and woman occurred in the 300 block of SW Bridge Street. Upon arrival, officers learned the man had already left and he and the woman were fighting over the phone.

She was yelling and breaking windows to her trailer in the backyard. Officers advised her of the complaint.

Early Sunday morning, at 12:52 a.m., the woman notified dispatch that the man had returned to the property. Officers arrived and contacted the man after he came out the front door with his hands up.

The suspect, Travis Gearlds, was found to be wanted on two separate warrants from the Medford Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. His charges included Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and two counts of Contempt of Court respectively.

Gearlds was taken into custody on his warrants and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. The woman was warned for Hindering.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a theft complaint Sunday morning.

At 11:29 a.m., deputies learned a woman had been robbed of a motorcycle. She said the main door into her garage was torn off by a man in order to get inside.

The victim was able to track down the suspect outside Sam's Market at 8530 Monument Drive. The suspect and a woman were next to a black Nissan Sentra with the windows smashed out.

A verbal dispute ensued, where the suspects stated they bought the motorcycle from someone walking down the road.

Deputies arrived and detained both suspects. While the woman was later released, the man, identified as Gregory Johnson, was charged with First Degree Criminal Mischief, Second Degree Burglary and Theft, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Johnson was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in White City Saturday night. The suspect fled the scene but was taken into custody after a nearly five-hour manhunt. There is no threat to the public. JCSO White City deputies responded to a 911 call at 9:37 p.m. for a stabbing at a mobile home park in the 3600 block of Avenue G. Deputies and Mercy Flights medics attempted life-saving measures, but the victim, Edward Dean Rowan, 72, of White City, was pronounced deceased around 10:12 p.m. Next of kin has been notified. The suspect initially fled the scene of the homicide but was identified as the son of the victim. Medford Police Department K9 and Drone Teams arrived to assist. A JCSO deputy located the suspect walking on Avenue C near the intersection of 28th Street. He was initially uncooperative before deputies arrested him without incident.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to multiple 911 calls this week linked to a nationwide viral TikTok prank involving Artificial Intelligence. In this trend, people use AI to generate realistic images of a disheveled “homeless man” appearing inside their own homes, then send the images to family or friends as a prank. Locally, several parents received these AI-generated photos from their teens and, believing an intruder was present, called 911. JCSO deputies responded, but all incidents were determined to be hoaxes. The teens involved were given warnings. However, such pranks may constitute initiating a false report, a Class A misdemeanor under Oregon law. Under the law, offenders may be required to repay response and investigation costs, and if a SWAT team is deployed, the charge carries a mandatory minimum jail term of 10 days. Parents are urged to talk with their children about how AI can create convincing fake content, the serious legal and emotional consequences of online pranks, and the dangers of misusing emergency services.

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suspended the monthly employment and unemployment reports for the nation, states, and metropolitan areas as of Oct. 1, 2025.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, Oregon had an average of 29,000 federal government jobs covered by unemployment benefits during the first half of 2025. That accounted for about 1.5% of all jobs in the state.

Looking at annual average wages, jobs on federal government payrolls in Oregon paid nearly $98,500 in 2024. That was 38% higher than the average annual wage for all jobs in Oregon.

In 2024, there were 1,950 federal government jobs in Jackson County with an average annual wage of $87,866 and 304 in jobs in Josephine County with an average annual wage of $83,577.

Federal jobs represented about 2.1% of total payroll jobs and 3.2% of total wages in Jackson County in 2024. In Josephine County, federal government employment accounted for 1.0% of payroll jobs and 1.6% of total wages.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police department reported to Walmart for a shoplifting complaint Thursday evening.

The suspect, Jack Doak, was stopped by loss prevention staff at the 135 NE Terry Lane store after passing all points of sale with over $500 worth of items.

Doak admitted to not having any money to pay for the goods. When officers arrived, they took him into custody. His parole officer requested a detainer.

Officers transported Doak to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on the detainer, and a charge of Second Degree Theft.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were notified of an attempted dine-and-dash Thursday night.

At 8:00 p.m., an employee with Taqueria Mexico at 137 SE H Street told dispatch a man had ordered and eaten over $40 worth of food. He didn't pay and then attempted to leave the restaurant.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Jake Thompson, who stated he didn't have the money to pay for his meal. His parole officer was contacted and advised he be placed on a detainer.

Thompson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for a charge of Third Degree Theft and his Parole Violation Detainer.

 

The Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash at the intersection of US Highway 199 and Midway Avenue Thursday afternoon.

Scene evidence and witness statements indicated the driver of a black Toyota Rav4 attempted to turn left in front of traffic, subsequently causing a blue Toyota Sequoia to crash into the passenger side of the Rav4.

The driver of the Rav4 was transported to the hospital for minor injuries, and was later cited for a dangerous left turn. Both vehicles were towed from the scene

 

Discarded woodstove ash ignited a wood pile and spread through dry grass up to the foundation of a house Thursday afternoon.

Thanks to the tall cinder block foundation, there was minimal flammable content next to the house in the 8600 block of Monument Drive in the North Valley Area. The structure was not damaged.

Rural Metro Fire says this is an early seasonal reminder that current conditions can still allow fires to occur from seemingly routine tasks around the house. Forecasted rainfall should help significantly lower this risk.

Tips for disposal of woodstove ash include using a metal can for collection, then leaving it in the can while it cools down. If unsure when cool, check with your bare hands or fill the can with water.

If dumping ash right away, be sure it is in a gravel, dirt, or paved area free from any flammable materials or vegetation. Do not dispose of ash in a paper bag, cardboard box, or plastic container, and do not leave it next to the house.