Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office booked a man for reckless driving and other charges Sunday afternoon.

Officers apprehended the man after he had crashed his vehicle. He required medical attention, then was promptly detained.

The "STOP" and other street signs were knocked down at Lonnon Road and Elk Lane. Officers called Public Works to assist with propping the signs back up.

The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving, Attempt to Elude Police, and Second Degree Criminal Mischief.

 

The Grants Pass Parks Advisory Committee will discuss multiple topics during their regular meeting.

After public comment, action items for the committee include the Dollar Mountain Grand Opening, a survey update, committee collaboration, and the election of the Vice Chair.

As needed, project updates will be discussed during matters from Committee members and staff.

The meeting will take place Thursday, September 11th, at 3:30 pm in the Ridge Room, 101 NW A Street.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 1, with Incident Commander Dan Quinones, took command of the Kelsey Peak Fire this morning. Resources from the Bureau of Land Management's Medford District Office and the ODF Southwestern Oregon District have made progress in building containment lines in the fire since lightning caused it last week. The change of Fire Command to Squad 1 results in additional capacity and resources to the incident and allows local firefighters to rest and be available to respond to new fires. Cooler temperatures are forecast for this week, precipitation along with the threat of more lightning. Fire crews will take advantage of the cooler and wetter weather to strengthen new and existing control lines.

 

Rural Metro and the Oregon Department of Forestry made quick work of a truck on fire over the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, the 1200 block of Azalea Drive was temporarily closed as firefighters with Rural Metro Fire and ODF Southwest Oregon District extinguished a truck full of hay.

There was no spread to the surrounding vegetation. It’s unclear what started the fire.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office assisted with traffic control, and Josephine County Public Works provided the cleanup.

 

Ashland Police and a Jackson County Crime Unit began investigating a homicide yesterday morning. On September 7th, at 3:38 AM, Ashland Police Officers and Paramedics from Ashland Fire & Rescue were dispatched to a report of a person laying on the ground next to a vehicle near ‘A’ Street and North 2nd Street in Ashland. According to Ashland Police, officers arrived to find a male who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics confirmed the male was deceased upon their arrival, and a homicide investigation was initiated. The Jackson County Major Assault/Death Investigation Unit was activated by Ashland Detectives. The investigation has revealed the victim was inside his parked vehicle when an unidentified suspect approached and fired multiple rounds at the victim, striking him several times.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man on an Out-of-State warrant over the weekend.

Officers contacted Bart Batesel Saturday morning and found he had a warrant from the Modesto Police Department in California.

The warrant charged Batesel with Digital Penetration of a Child, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, and Lewd Act with a Child.

Batesel was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will cover Department Business and more for Tuesday's workshop.

The board will discuss contracts for the Forestry and Transit departments, a Title V Grant for Women, Children, and Families for Public Heath, and several items for the Community Justice Department.

Afterwards, there will be a Finance report and Business update, followed by board business involving the Oregon State University Intergovernmental agreement.

The Commissioners Tuesday Administration Workshop will begin Tuesday, September 9th, starting at 1:30 pm in the BCC Conference Room. You can view it on the County's website or on the Josephine County YouTube channel.

 

A fatal crash occurred in Jackson county Wednesday evening.

On September 3, at 9:25 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on the Highway 62 Expressway, at the intersection with Highway 62, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Honda CRV, of Eagle Point, failed to negotiate a turn, lost control, and struck a concrete barrier.

The vehicle caught fire with two occupants entrapped. First responders arrived on scene and extricated the occupants.

A passenger in the Honda, Michael R. Graham, of Eagle Point, was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Honda was transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

 

Oregon State Police responded to a fatal crash yesterday morning.

On Thursday, September 4th, at 6:05 am, a single vehicle crash occurred on Highway 99 near milepost 6 in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Mazda MZ3, operated by Tristan Mitchel Donaldson of Rogue River, was travelling at an excessive speed when it lost control, left the roadway, rolled multiple times, and came to rest against a tree.

Donaldson was declared deceased at the scene. The highway was impacted during the on-scene investigation.