Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office assisted the Oregon State Police by arresting a motorist for impaired driving on Redwood Highway in the Selma area last night. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies and state troopers pulled over a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Erica Aquilina Reyes-Vasquez on US Highway 199 just south of Hayes Hill on Thursday around 6:45 p.m.. Deputies reported that troopers observed Reyes-Vasquez driving in the wrong lane and pushing other vehicles off the highway. They said she struck an ODOT sign before they were able to pull her over and pin her in with patrol vehicles. Reyes-Vasquez displayed signs of impairment, performed poorly in sobriety testing and was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. Reyes-Vasquez was subsequently lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. She was being held without bail and her vehicle was impounded.

 

Thunderstorm activity in southwest Oregon late yesterday ignited at least four fires that were kept small by firefighters assisted by precipitation from the storms. The Oregon Department of Forestry responded to at least three fires in Josephine County as a large thunderstorm cell rolled through late Thursday afternoon. In an 8:45 p.m. update, ODF reported the Galice Road Fire was located on a steep slope near Ennis Riffle. Firefighters knocked down the active blaze and had 70% of the perimeter lined at an estimated 1/4-acre. Resources also responded to the Reeves Creek Fire northeast of Kerby. Crews caught the fire at just under 1/4-acre and had it 95% lined by last night. Mop-up operations were expected to continue overnight. Firefighters made good progress on the Chapman Creek Fire located southeast of Cave Junction. Resources held containment and extinguished hot spots on the fire that was GPS-mapped at about two acres. One other lightning-sparked fire was reported in Jackson County near milepost 1 of Interstate 5. It was 5-feet by 5-feet in size and quickly extinguished. A reconnaissance flight was completed across all strike areas before sunset and no additional smoke or fires were found. ODF officials said recon missions over these areas will continue this morning.

 

A Grants Pass woman was killed this week when she crashed her vehicle in the New Hope area. On Wednesday evening, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle rollover wreck in the 1100-block of Jaynes Drive. Deputies said the initial investigation indicated the vehicle was traveling on Jaynes Drive toward New Hope Road when -- for an unknown reason -- it left the road, rolled over and came to rest on its driver's side. The driver -- 23-year-old Angelina Marie Odell -- was pronounced deceased at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. First responders extend their condolences to Odell's family and friends. They also express their appreciation to witnesses and neighbors for their assistance. Those affected by the traumatic incident are encouraged to reach out if they are struggling to process the tragic event.

 

A Josephine County Community Corrections client was jailed on an outstanding felony warrant this week. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 36-year-old A. Choy Saephan at the Community Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Wednesday afternoon. Police said Saephan was visiting his corrections officer who alerted GPPD that his client was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant containing a secret indictment for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Saephan was unaware of the warrant and he was placed into custody without incident. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man on a statewide felony warrant at Three Rivers Medical Center this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 37-year-old Daniel Craig Hlavinka, Jr., at the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue around midday Wednesday. Deputies said Hlavinka was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. No other details were provided and it was unclear how deputies knew the arrestee was at the hospital. Hlavinka was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for two crimes while investigating a trespassing complaint at Three Rivers Medical Center this week. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 45-year-old Robert Clarence Beard in front of the hospital's emergency room Wednesday afternoon. Police said hospital security called 9-1-1 to report a male subject was loitering near some vending machines and he became hostile with them when they asked him to leave. The man eventually left the hospital and walked toward a nearby gas station, but he returned, refused to leave and was placed into custody by law enforcement. Officers said they initially warned Beard, but he elected to walk back onto the property in front of a patrol vehicle while disrupting traffic. Beard was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

 

The Redwood Foundation for Education is excited to support "10,000 Push-Ups in 10 Days," an inspiring fundraiser created by Meagan Ward to raise awareness and funds for underserved students. Ward -- a dedicated fitness trainer, nutritionist and advocate for educational equity -- is attempting to complete 10,000 push-ups in 10 days ending August 5th. She hopes it will bring attention to the needs of local students and to raise funds to support participation in extracurricular activities in the community. Thursday was Day 5 of this endeavor and Ward had already completed 4,000 push-ups. The Redwood Foundation for Education is proud to champion this community-driven effort. The Foundation is helping promote Meagan's campaign, managing fundraising logistics, and ensuring all proceeds go directly to schools and programs serving students in Grants Pass. The partnership reflects the Foundation's mission to empower local learners and support educators. Donate online via Redwood Foundation for Education's webpage at "redwoodforeducation.org/donors/donate-today/one-time-donations." Please designate the "10,000 Push-Ups Fund" in the online form.

 

The Salvation Army is calling on the Jackson County community to help children start the school year with confidence by participating in a Backpack Supply Drive on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Thrift Store on North Central Avenue in Medford. Community members are invited to drop off new backpacks and school supplies or sign up their kids to receive a backpack before the new school year begins. The event will feature prizes, popcorn and family-friendly fun -- all to support local kids who need a fresh start. Most needed items include new backpacks of all sizes; notebooks and binders; pencils, pens and markers; crayons and colored pencils; gluesticks and scissors. Donations can also be dropped off at any Salvation Army office in Jackson County during regular business hours. For more information or to make an online donation, call (541)-773-6965.

 

The Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved annexations to the Josephine Community Library District and an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that supports local home rehabilitation projects. The Board started the meeting by holding a public hearing and then unanimously approving three annexations into the local library district. The Commissioners held a second public hearing on applying for a CDBG grant from Business Oregon. Property Manager Helene Lulich testified that the County received a $500,000 grant in 2024 to fund the Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Program that helps low- to moderate-income residents in need of home repairs. Program contractor Home Bridging GP reported that $270,000 of the grant has been spent so far as they move into repairing mobile homes. The contractor called the program "a blessing to the community" and said they stand ready to continue their work with additional grant funding. The Board approved the application. Under Administrative Actions, the Commission approved the contract renewal with City-County Insurance Services, an invoice from the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials, an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Medford to assist with building inspections and electrical services, and an agreement with the Oregon Building Codes Division that streamlines the sharing of services and staff between municipalities throughout the state.