Local News

Applications are being accepted for five positions on the new Small Business Taskforce.

The sixth and seventh positions are being filled by a member of the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Main Street Grants Pass. Appointments are for the duration of the task force, which is anticipated to be no more than 12 months from the date of appointment.

The purpose of the task force is to establish a group of local business owners and advocates to explore local business conditions, consider strategies for stabilization, and identify key topics for a long-term business support plan.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 NW A St., or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/FormCenter. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. February 27th.

Appointments will be made by the Council at their Wednesday meeting, March 18th.

 

An officer with Grants Pass Police identified a wanted woman in a white SUV early this morning.

The suspect, Mya McCreery, was observed in the vehicle at the corner of NW 6th Street and NE A Street around 1:47 a.m. The officer knew she had a warrant out of the Grants Pass Police Department charging her with Second Degree Theft and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle.

Upon contacting McCreery and her warrant being cleared, the officer took her into custody and lodged her in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended two suspects in two separate cases Tuesday.

At 2 a.m., deputies detained a man in the 12,000 block of Lower River Road. He had a Josephine County Felony Warrant out for his arrest charging him with Strangulation and Menacing.

He was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Deputies ran his Vehicle Identification Number and flagged his car as totaled. The suspect was later released after posting bail.

Then at 11:31 p.m. deputies contacted a woman at the Shell station on 397 Old Highway 99. She was identified as Stephanie Vey, and was found to be wanted on a Josephine County warrant for Third Degree Robbery.

Deputies took Vey into custody and transported her to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged on her warrant.

 

Data Privacy Day is today, and Attorney General Dan Rayfield reminds Oregonians of a tool they can use to protect their personal data online.

A Universal Opt-Out under the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA) can be used by all Oregonians to keep covered businesses and nonprofits from selling or sharing your personal data or using it for targeted advertising.

Rayfield said that, even while doing ordinary tasks online, information can get sold without permission. “Universal Opt-Out changes that. It gives Oregonians a simple way to draw a line once and have it respected across the internet, instead of having to hunt for a ‘do not sell’ button on every site.”

The Universal Opt-Out gives individuals and families greater control over personal data including home addresses, browsing history, and financial information. Under Universal Opt-Out, businesses must honor certain electronic signals sent directly from a consumer’s browser, dramatically simplifying the process.

To learn more about Universal Opt-Out and other privacy protections, you can visit www.doj.state.or.us.

 

The election to recall Former Commissioner Chris Barnett has been certified ahead of schedule. County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels certified the results this morning, showing a voter turnout of 32.3%. The percentage of yes votes was 61.76%, the no votes were 38.24%. The Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers are now able to meet for a special meeting, which has been scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room. The agenda begins with a selection of the chair, a discussion of the process for Appointments to Josephine County Commissioner Positions 1 and 2, and a Timeline for appointments. The Temporary Board will continue with consideration of whether to establish a new application deadline, contents of a new application, approval of vacancy postings, and other matters related to the filling of the vacancies. The meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those attending in person must abide by the clear bag policy.

 

An O'Brien man wanted in connection with multiple stolen vehicles and a high-speed pursuit was apprehended in Washington. Washougal Police arrested Billy Dean Gregory, 55, on January 16, and booked him into the Clark County Jail. Gregory was arrested for third-degree theft, and making a false statement to a public servant. He is also being held on outstanding warrants for 13 additional charges, including five counts of theft, forgery, theft of a motor vehicle, and attempting to elude. Local charges have been referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The initial incident began just before 10:30 a.m., December 19th, when Josephine County reported a stolen vehicle eluding law enforcement on Interstate 5. The pursuit continued into Jackson County, where Central Point Police Department officers successfully deployed spike strips on the suspect vehicle along I-5. Despite the damage, Gregory continued to elude officers at a high rate of speed into Ashland. The pursuit was later terminated due to public safety concerns.

 

Emergency crews responded to a large vehicle fire in the 4000 block of Holland Loop Road in Cave Junction at 12:08 this morning.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and Rural Metro Fire were initially dispatched to a reported Structure Fire.

Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene and confirmed that the incident involved a recreational vehicle, which was fully engulfed in flames.

The Illinois Valley Fire District successfully suppressed the fire. Rural Metro Fire was subsequently canceled and provided district coverage. The fire is currently under investigation.

 

After the Medford City Council approved the ordinance establishing the Economic Improvement District (EID), the Downtown Medford Association (DMA) is launching its Storefront Activation Program.

This complementary initiative is designed to reduce vacancies and support business growth in the downtown core. Funded by $25,000 from the Council Community Initiative Fund, the program will focus on filling three to five vacant storefronts with businesses aligning with downtown’s character and economic goals.

As part of the Storefront Activation Program, DMA will host a series of Reimagine Tours, which bring together property owners, prospective business owners, and community partners to explore available properties and discuss potential uses.

The upcoming Reimagine Tours will take place Thursday, January 29, Tuesday, February 24, and Thursday, April 9 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. RSVPs are required.

The next step in the EID process is a public hearing anticipated in mid-February, providing an opportunity for community members and property owners to share input on the proposed district before final consideration.

 

The Medford Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting a structure fire in the 1400 block of Ashbrook Circle Sunday at 12:17 a.m.

Upon arrival, gray smoke was coming from the backyard of the residence. Crews quickly attacked the fire from the exterior side, knocking the fire down within three minutes.

Thanks to the crew's quick response, there was no interior damage, and the occupants were able to remain in their home. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians, and the cause remains under investigation.

As a reminder, MFD says to store wood piles away from structures and ensure ashes are fully extinguished and disposed of in a non-combustible container.