Local News

Commissioner's Colene Martin and Gary Richardson approved the interim Finance Director Contract, placing Arthur O'Hare in the position. Commissioner Ron Smith was excused from the 1:30 p.m. workshop.

The payment plan is based on the salary schedule of the Finance Director for twenty hour work weeks. The board also approved Community Justice's request for authorization to begin initial conversations with the Federation of Oregon Parole and Probation Officers (FOPPO) for collective bargaining.

Forestry's request for the Forester's trip to California for a weed control seminar was approved without objection, as well as Circuit Court's request to rent the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Lastly, the board moved 2-0 to appoint Heyleigh Strempel to the Josephine County Housing and Community Development Council, and were unanimous in approval of the Conklin Avenue Townhomes Plat Map, providing smaller housing options for the community.

 

Rural Metro Fire is urging caution with two popular activities that can turn to tragedy if not treated with respect.

Warm weather entices many to head to the river for recreation. Fire crews warn the public to remember the river is deceptively cold and swift under the surface.

Do not under-estimate the hidden hazards of the Rogue River. Also, do not over-estimate your swimming ability to combat the cold or current. Rural Metro says nearly early every year, someone dies on the Rogue River, usually without a life jacket.

With continual drying conditions, and prior to the official start of fire season, burning should be done in the morning when winds are calm and humidity is high.

Be sure to clear a ring of bare dirt around the pile that is free of flammable vegetation including grass, leaves and pine needles. Always have ready a reliable water source such as a garden hose with nozzle, a shovel, and your cell phone to call for help.

It is better to have help on the way, even if you get the fire under control prior to first responder's arrival.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman outside City Hall wanted on warrants out of both the Grants Pass and Medford Police Departments Wednesday.

Law enforcement spotted the suspect, Carrie McCoin, outside on 101 NW A Street. She was known to have two warrants, one from the GPPD for Harassment, and an MPD warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

McCoin was positively identified and taken into custody. She was transported by officers to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged on her warrants. Her two dogs were taken by Animal Control to the shelter.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for trespassing at a vacant property listed for sale in the 300 block of Robmar Lane.

A call to 911 reported to dispatch around 5:15 Wednesday afternoon that the lockbox on the property was gone. Further investigation by the caller revealed food on a counter top inside, with items thrown around, and the removal of window safety bars.

According to the caller, the residence was secured when the property was checked Saturday the 2nd. Dispatch was told the caller would place cameras at the home and advise law enforcement if a suspect returned to the scene.

The caller again got in touch with dispatch around 8:38 p.m. The property was checked on by the reporting party's brother, who saw a man in the house. Sheriff's deputies were given permission to enter the property, and the brother reported two more suspects had shown up at the residence in a red Mustang.

Deputies contacted Alejandro Soto. He and another suspect were trespassed from the residence, but law enforcement took Soto into custody. He told deputies he arrived at the home the day prior and was given keys by a realtor. Attempts to contact said realtor were fruitless, and Google searches showed no such realtor existed.

According to the police report, Soto was never given permission from anyone deputies could contact to confirm his story. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

The City of Medford has selected longtime Medford Police Department leader Trevor Arnold as its next Chief of Police.

The appointment includes additional formal steps due to the City’s current interim city manager transition process. The Medford City Council has authorized Interim City Manager John Vial to extend an offer of employment, which Arnold has accepted.

The Council is expected to formally consider the appointment during its May 20th meeting, with a swearing-in anticipated at the June 3rd City Council meeting.
With 27 years of experience with MPD, Arnold has served in every rank and demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, leadership, and community engagement throughout his career.

As Deputy Chief since 2021, Arnold has overseen department operations, strategic initiatives, major investigations, and regional public safety partnerships. Arnold would succeed Chief Justin Ivens, who announced his retirement earlier this year after more than three decades of service.

 

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici sent a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve waivers for and to fully fund two projects funded through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. According to a release from Senator Merkley's website, the two projects included in the letter were the Clatsop County Columbia Memorial Hospital, and the Grants Pass Water Treatment Plant Relocation. The City had been selected to receive $50 million in BRIC funding to relocate the plant outside the Special Flood Hazard Area to prevent system failure if flooded. This letter comes after City leaders returned from a trip to Washington D.C. expressing the need for the BRIC grant funding. Along with Merkley and Bonamici, Senator Ron Wyden, and members of Congress Andrea Salinas, Maxine Dexter, Val Hoyle, and Janelle Bynum signed the letter.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire Department, American Medical Response, and Oregon State Police reported to a traffic accident Wednesday afternoon.

According to IVFD, the incident occurred at 5:23 p.m. at the intersection of Caves Highway and North Old Stage Road in Cave Junction. Crews were dispatched to the scene of the two-vehicle collision.

OSP reported a brown Mercedes was traveling eastbound when a white Chevy pickup made an abrupt stop. The driver of the Mercedes was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear of the pickup.

No injuries were reported. The Chevy sustained minor damage while the Mercedes had front end damage, requiring a tow from the scene. The driver of the Mercedes was warned for following to close.

 

Total payroll employment in Josephine County rose by 130 jobs in March, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

Notable job changes to private-sector industries were private education and health services (+40), and leisure and hospitality (+30). Government employment added 60 jobs over the month. Gains were posted in local education (+30), federal government (+20), and non-education local government (+10).

Over the past year payroll employment decreased by 80 jobs, a loss of -0.3%. Employment fell over the year in most private-sector industries, excluding private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality, which gained 190 and 60 jobs, respectively. Job declines occurred in retail trade (-100), professional and business services (-50), wholesale trade (-40), manufacturing (-40), and information (-30).

Government employment fell by 80 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education (-90) while state government added 10 jobs over the year.
Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 6.8% in March, little changed over the month and slightly above the March 2025 rate of 6.3%.

 

The Grants Pass City Council Wednesday night renewed a contract with the Josephine County Visitors Association, awarded a contract for a study on non-bargaining salaries and approved waivers of park fees for two non-profits. Councilors reconsidered a resolution passed March 30th in a special meeting authorizing an agreement with the Josephine County Visitors Association including the addition of the Downtown Welcome Center operations. The Association does business as the Downtown Business Association and Visit Grants Pass. The move would potentially save the City $45,000 because the City would no longer be responsible for the salaries for the four employees at the Welcome Center. The tourism services provided with this agreement are funded at 28% of the City's annual lodging tax revenue. An hour's long parade of business owners testified in favor of the agreement prior to the Council unanimously passing the resolution. The Grants Pass City Council approved a resolution authorizing notice of intent to award the non-bargaining salary and compensation study proposal. City staff had gathered proposals five proposals, one of which was declared non-responsive to questions. Cost of the proposals ranged from $25,500 to $35,000. Council awarded the contract to Logic Compensation Group for $27,500 with the caveat their information be delivered in a more understandable format. The resolution passed on a 4 to 3 vote.The council did approve to waive the City's permit fee of $1,150.75 for the 2026 Frog O'Faire event while also allowing commercial activity in the park for the event being staged by Legacy Family & Leadership organization on June 6th.Councilors then approved the waiver of a park reservation fee of $440 for the Gazebo for 2026 Kids Day scheduled for June 26th. The request came from Park Watch GP.