Local News

Deputies Jailed Illinois Valley Man for Roughing Up Mother on Caves Highway
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley man for allegedly roughing up his mother last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 42-year-old male subject at a home in the 2100-block of Caves Highway on Tuesday at 8:58 p.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her son punched her in the face and forced her to the ground. The woman said she was in pain, but she denied medical attention. According to the report, the victim said her son had been taking his medications and he had no access to any weapons. Upon arrival, deputies documented the victim's injuries before placing the suspect into custody. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 9/11/24 11:36AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Well-Known Criminal Offender for Violating His Probation
Grants Pass Police incarcerated a well-known criminal offender for violating his probation after spotting him at a downtown park late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers observed a 42-year-old male subject they identified as "Anthony James Fish" at Debo Park on SW G Street on Tuesday at 5:40 p.m.. Police said they were informed by Fish's corrections officer that he was wanted for Probation Violation related to recent arrests for Resisting Arrest and Escape. The suspect left the park on a bicycle and officers followed him west on G Street and through alleyways in the area of SW Jordan Street. Fish was contacted by officers at the entrance to an alley and he surrendered to them in the presence of K-9 "Kick." Fish was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Probation Violation and he was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 9/11/24 11:35AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Collared Man on Local Warrants while Performing Welfare Check
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on local warrants while performing a welfare check on a young girl in the southeast part of the city yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 25-year-old male subject in the 800-block of Fruitdale Drive on Tuesday at 3:53 p.m.. Police said a man requested a welfare check on his 6-year-old daughter who lives with her mother and the male subject at the residence. They said the caller told them that he is not allowed to go to the home and he is afraid for her safety. Officers performed the welfare check and determined the little girl was okay. During the investigation, officers discovered that the male subject was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Unlawful Use of a Weapon plus a misdemeanor warrant for Driving While Suspended and Petty Theft. He was placed into custody and lodged in jail on $25,000 bail.
Posted on 9/11/24 11:34AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Arrested 2 People for Different Reasons at Shop Smart Store in CJ
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two people for different reasons at a supermarket in downtown Cave Junction late yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, the first incident occurred on Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. at the Shop Smart market in the 200-block of West Watkins Street. Deputies said they spotted 34-year-old Christopher Wayne Powers and knew that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Identity Theft and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card. Powers was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on $25,000 bail. The second incident happened on Tuesday at 10:10 p.m. when deputies responded to a trespassing complaint at Shop Smart. Deputies said 30-year-old Carly Brooke Jensen was highly intoxicated when she trespassed at the store and was trying to fight people in the parking lot. She was detained because her corrections officer said she did not check in yesterday and she had been drinking. Jensen was lodged at the jail facility for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and Felony Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for 3rd-Degree Robbery. She was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show she has been arrested eight times for violating her post-prison supervision since September 2023.
Posted on 9/11/24 11:32AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

GP Police Snared Woman for Stealing from Big 5 with Meth Delivery Likely
Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing merchandise from a local sporting goods store last night and found her to be in possession of packaged narcotics ready for distribution. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint involving a 38-year-old female subject at Big 5 Sporting Goods on NE Agness Avenue on Tuesday around 7:15 p.m.. Police said the store manager reported a woman grabbed a pop-up cabana valued at $40, walked out of the store and rode away on a bicycle. Surveillance video showed the suspect heading toward Applebees on a dark-colored mountain bike. Officers searched the area and eventually located the suspect they identified as "Amanda Marie McCoy" at the designated campground on SE J Street. Upon contact, she admitted to taking the cabana without paying for it. She was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. Upon booking, jail deputies found approximately 5.6 grams of methamphetamine hidden in McCoy's undergarments. It was packaged in separate baggies and she admitted to the intent of selling the meth. Charges of Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance were referred to the District Attorney for consideration.
Posted on 9/11/24 11:30AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

OSP Located Missing Elderly Man Who Drove Car to Jo Co Sportsman Park
The Oregon State Police located a missing elderly man who drove a vehicle to the Josephine County Sportsman Park yesterday. According to OSP, troopers were alerted to a 77-year-old man arriving in a vehicle at the private park in the 7400-block of Highland Avenue on Tuesday at 3:11 p.m.. Troopers contacted the man who was confused and showed signs of dementia. The man's family was contacted and responded to retrieve the subject. They confirmed that he had dementia and lived in a local adult care facility. No information was disclosed on how the man was able to leave the facility or how he was able to gain access to a vehicle.
Posted on 9/11/24 11:28AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

JMET Raided Illegal Pot Grow near CJ and Broke Up Human Trafficking Ring
News Image
The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) raided an illegal cannabis growing operation near Cave Junction yesterday and broke up a suspected human trafficking ring. On Tuesday, JMET -- with assistance from Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety -- served a search warrant on June Drive. During execution of the warrant, more than 6,200 marijuana plants and around 1,000 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed. The grow site also had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations that could result in criminal forfeiture of the property. Eleven people were contacted on the property at the time of the search. Based off information gathered during the investigation, these individuals were suspected to be victims of human trafficking for exploited labor. All 11 individuals were referred to the UNETE Center for Farm Worker and Immigrant Advocacy, which provided them with resources and guidance to aid them in their situation. JMET reports the primary suspect was not at the location during the time of the search. If located, they will be charged with Unlawful Manufacture and Possession of Marijuana as well as Unlawful Appropriation of Water. Detectives said the investigation is ongoing and no further details were being released at this time.
Posted on 9/11/24 6:38AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

GP Police Jailed Missing Man for Bizarre Series of Events on RR Highway
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for a bizarre series of events that happened on Rogue River Highway this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 38-year-old man they identified as "Jimmy Dean Couch" near the Bottle Drop Center at the corner of Highway 99 and Parkdale Drive on Monday afternoon. Police said Couch was the subject of three separate calls for service. First, he was reported shouting at passing vehicles. Second, he entered private property and was cutting branches off a tree. Third, he was screaming at customers at U-Save Gas & Tackle while pretending to shoot people with his hand shaped like a gun. Officers located Couch at the Bottle Drop Center and told him he was under arrest. He began to walk away, so one officer grabbed his left arm and another officer grabbed his right arm. He actively resisted by tightening his muscles and pulling his arms upward. He was then taken in a controlled manner to the ground where he continued to resist and kicked an officer, causing minor pain but no serious injury. Couch was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Resisting Arrest, Escape and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail. Upon booking, it was discovered that Couch was reported as a missing person in Jackson County. GPPD contacted the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to let them know he had been located.
Posted on 9/11/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

GP Police Nabbed Young Motorist for DUII after Several Traffic Complaints
Grants Pass Police arrested a young man for impaired driving this week after receiving numerous traffic complaints near the downtown area. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a red Jeep Cherokee driven by a 19-year-old male subject in the 1300-block of SW Foundry Street on Monday night. Police said the driver was first called in as a complaint at NW B and Fry streets where he was reportedly doing burnouts and traveling at a high rate of speed. He almost hit some pedestrians, was fish-tailing and allegedly pulled a gun on one witness. Officers pulled him over after observing several moving violations. Upon contact, officers said the young man displayed indicators of impairment. He asked for legal counsel, so a search warrant was obtained and he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented impairment. The young suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. It was unclear if his vehicle was impounded. Police said there was a Remington shotgun located inside the SUV.
Posted on 9/11/24 6:28AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

DEQ Selects Four Communities for New Local Air Quality Monitoring Program
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is launching a new community air monitoring pilot program supported by a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant. The program is designed to empower communities to assess their local air quality and identify potential strategies to reduce their exposure to pollution. DEQ selected four communities from 200 applicants to participate in the Community Air Action Planning pilot program or CAAP. The communities are Medford, Chiloquin, McMinnville and two neighborhoods in Gresham. Locally, the program will be launched in downtown Medford and north Medford. DEQ selected the four communities using environmental justice principles and criteria identified by a team of program co-designers representing advocacy, nonprofit and environmental groups. Through the CAAP program, DEQ will work with these communities to collect local air quality data using monitoring equipment in each of the locations.
Posted on 9/11/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

BCC Slated to Approve Ordinance Paving Way for North Valley Development
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve the final reading of an ordinance that will pave the way for a new development in the North Valley area during its weekly business session this morning. Following a public hearing, the Board will decide whether to adopt an ordinance amending the Josephine County Comprehensive Plan from Forest to Residential and amending the Zoning Map from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential with a five-acre minimum lot size for a property bordering Interstate 5 near South Schoolhouse Creek Road. The property owner is KND Development, LLC. Also on the agenda is a proclamation of September 17th-23rd as "US Constitution Week" and the monthly recognition of county employees. As always, there will be Requests and Comments from citizens when participants are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 9/11/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

20th Person Files Lawsuit in Case of Fentanyl Diversion at Asante Hospital in Medford
News Image
Another lawsuit has been filed against Medford's Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in the case involving a former nurse accused of giving patients non-sterile tap water instead of intravenous fentanyl. In a September 6th filing in Jackson County Circuit Court, an attorney for 63-year-old Candi Kay Palomares says former Asante nurse Dani Marie Schofield diverted fentanyl prescribed to Palomares for the severe respiratory distress that brought her to Asante's intensive care unit on March 26, 2023. The suit seeks $116 million for Palomare's pain and suffering, future medical expenses and lost wages. By March 31, 2023, blood tests showed infections in Palomares, then a mobile home park manager in Brookings. By April 3, 2023, Palomares suffered from sepsis-induced brain dysfunction, the suit claims. On April 14, 2023, a patient safety representative for Asante posted a notice online about what the hospital termed "water quality rumors." The Oregonian reports a spokesperson for Asante declined to comment on the suit. Schofield was also named as a defendant in the suit. In June, a grand jury indicted her on accusations of harming 44 patients.
Posted on 9/11/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh
Read more