Local News

Grants Pass Fire is proud to announce the addition of a new Pierce Impel fire engine to its fleet.

The new apparatus will officially be placed in service this morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Parkway Fire Station, 800 E. Park Street. The public is invited to join them in a traditional “Push In” ceremony.

The Pierce Impel is a state-of-the-art fire engine designed to enhance operational capability, firefighter safety, and service reliability.

The purchase of the new Pierce Impel was made possible through the current City Council approved budget. The department thanks the Grants Pass City Council for their ongoing support and investment in public safety.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry will drop the Fire Danger Level in Jackson and Josephine Counties to "low". Recent fall-like weather and multiple days of widespread rain in the forecast has made it possible to ease off on some public fire prevention regulations on ODF Southwest Oregon District protected lands. Effective Saturday, October 11, at 12:01 a.m., the public fire danger level will decrease to “low” in Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at "one". In low fire danger, restrictions still in place include no debris burning, fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition, and smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, or in boats on the water. For more information about ODF's Fire Season regulations, visit www.swofire.com

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a report of a man barricading himself in a Fred Meyer bathroom stall Wednesday night.

At 11:04 p.m., a caller reported the suspect was refusing the leave the stall. He had been asked to leave earlier in the day after causing a commotion at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway superstore.

The caller wanted the man trespassed. Upon arrival, officers opened the stall door and contacted Russel Coe. He was placed into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

A woman with 7 warrants out for her arrest was taken into custody by Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

Rishell Hurd turned herself in to officers in the 300 block of NE Beacon Drive. Hurd had warrants from the Grants Pass and Coos Bay Police Departments, and the Douglas and Linn County Sheriff's Offices.

The warrants included charges of Second and Third Degree Theft, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Burglary, Identity Theft, Larceny, and Unlawful Possession of Meth.

Hurd's identity was confirmed, and she was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants.

 

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 1,000 block of Arrowhead Drive, O’Brien, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office said the warrant was executed Tuesday, October 7, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service. During the execution of the warrant, approximately 300 marijuana plants and 300 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed. Three firearms were seized on scene. The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. Aaron Cletis Johnson and Bi Yun You were taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. They are both charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved sick leave benefit usage and a fee change hearing during today's Weekly Business Session. The first two agenda items were stricken from the administrative actions, and the board resolution for providing unused sick leave benefits to general service employees was discussed. A minimal cost to the county of about $1,000 would support this action. The board approved the resolution 3-0 along with the hearing and proposed fee changes for the BCC, Surveyor, Public Works, Recreation, Animal Shelter, and Public Health Departments. A public hearing would allow the public to weigh in on the fee changes that will go into effect January 1st, 2026. The proposed fee changes in full can be found at josephinecounty.gov on the Finance Department page. In the matter of confirming the Sheriff's Certificate of Sale, the board approved 3-0 and authorized proceed distribution and execution of all the quitclaim deeds and land sale contracts from the September 2025 Auction.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department observed a suspect wanted on a warrant at a local resting site Wednesday afternoon.

Officers contacted Carol Taylor-Selph at Resting Site 6, 704 NW 6th Street. They knew she had a Meth Possession warrant out for her arrest and took her into custody.

Taylor-Selph, while being read her rights, produced two glass pipes from her jacket pocket and admitted to using them to consume Methamphetamine. One of the pipes tested positive for meth.

Taylor-Selph was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for her warrant and a charge of Meth Possession. She was also issued a 30-day exclusion order from the resting site.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office apprehended a woman Wednesday afternoon on multiple warrants.

At 3:27 p.m., officers contacted Natassia Berger in the 1900 block of Lone Mountain Road. She was found to have three Sheriff’s Office warrants and a Grants Pass Police Department warrant out for her arrest.

Her charges included Failure to Appear for three counts of Felony Attempt to Elude, three counts of Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended, Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, DUII, and a Property Damage charge.

Berger was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants.

 

Oregon Main Street announced its 2025 “Excellence on Main” award winners Wednesday.

During the annual Main Street conference October 8th in Albany, the Excellence on Main awards honored outstanding accomplishments, activities, and people making a difference in historic downtowns across the state.

Among the 11 individuals, projects, activities, and businesses, the Holly Theatre in Medford was honored with the Bricks and Mortar Rehabilitation Award, and Phyllis Nelson with the Downtown Medford Association was recognized as a Standout Volunteer.

Oregon Main Street strengthens community networks, bolsters local economies, generates tax revenues, and fosters social connections across the state.

OMS leads a network of local Main Streets that oversee a wide range of programmatic efforts to build community, support local businesses, and create an attractive and vibrant environment for workers, visitors, and residents.