Local News

On Friday at 11:45 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 70 in Josephine County. The preliminary investigation indicated a red GMC Jimmy, operated by Jimmy Warren Stanley, 82, of Dunsmuir, California, was traveling northbound on I-5 when it veered off the roadway for an unknown reason onto the gravel shoulder. The vehicle rolled over, and Stanley was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation by the OSP Collision Reconstruction Unit. Rural Metro Fire, American Medical Response ambulance service, and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted OSP.

 

The seventh meeting for Interviews and the Appointment of Commissioner Position 1 could not proceed as planned due to Commissioner Smith's absence.

No business our actions could take place due to a lack of quorum. The meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m., and Commissioner Chris Barnett proceeded to ask questions to Legal Counsel Wally Hicks for informational purposes only.

Questions asked were in regards to the basis for recusal, board responsibility, lack of quorum, the vacancy appointment process, and chair responsibilities.

Meetings with the same agenda are scheduled for December 23rd, 29th, 30th, 31st, and January 5th at 10 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room. Each meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those who would like to attend in person must comply with the clear bag policy.

 

As people in Oregon prepare to welcome in the New Year, now is the time to make sure you and your family have the health coverage you need. Health insurance provides access to essential services helping you begin 2026 with confidence and peace of mind. All plans sold through OregonHealthCare.gov cover essential health benefits such as preventive services, mental and behavioral health care, pregnancy, maternity and newborn care, gender-affirming care, prescription drugs, and emergency and hospitalization services. During the open enrollment period for 2025, the vast majority of people in Oregon who enrolled through OregonHealthCare.gov qualified for financial help. In 2025, 80 percent of

 

A caller reported a man causing a disturbance at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and NE Agness Avenue early this morning.

The suspect, Richard Koep, was running and stumbling out in the roadway around 12:05 a.m. He was reportedly threatening to kill drivers and shoot officers if law enforcement was contacted.

The caller reported Koep "jumped out of a ditch like Superman" in front of her vehicle, causing her to swerve to avoid striking him. He ran up to her vehicle as she was contacting law enforcement and threatened to kill her if 911 was called. No weapons were seen on his person.

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies observed Koep along NE F Street and detained him after he fell down in the roadway. GPPD officers were then able to identify Koep via officer recognition and his missing toe per prior jail bookings, and detained him.

Koep was taken into custody and lodged for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct in the Josephine County Jail.

 

A tenant reported homeless people were trespassing on a property in the 500 block of NW A Street.

The suspects were reportedly going through people's mail and rummaging through the trash. Two had left and headed back towards a nearby camp before officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrived.

Officers contacted a suspect, Kristopher Young, and found he was wanted on two separate warrants charging him with Possession of Meth and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Young's identity was confirmed and he was taken into custody. Officers transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail on his warrants.

 

The Oregon State Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 73.5 Friday morning.

A white tractor-trailer was parked on the shoulder due to a vehicle-related issue. A brown Honda passenger car traveling southbound entered a left curve and failed to maintain its lane, causing the driver to lose control and collide with the underside of the stationary semi-trailer.

After impact, the Honda spun across both lanes of travel and came to rest in the center median. The driver then drove the vehicle to the shoulder for safety. The Honda sustained heavy rear-end damage and was towed by AllStar Towing.

The driver was transported with suspected minor injuries. The semitrailer sustained minor damage and was able to leave the scene.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a trespass request Sunday afternoon.

Deputies arrived at 102 S Redwood Highway around 3:42 p.m. The manager of the business said she thought she still had a valid trespass letter. She requested that anyone loitering be trespassed.

A new trespass letter was emailed to her, and deputies contacted a suspect, Joseph Ainsworth, trespassing at the lot. He was found to have a warrant out for his arrest for First Degree Arson.

He was taken into custody and lodged for his warrant in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The 911 dispatch center was called by a man saying he was being surveyed by the FBI early Sunday morning.

At 3:30 a.m., the suspect said he was traveling in a bus until it broke down. He was put up in the Best Western at 111 NE Agness Avenue where he was making the call. He requested contact to make a report for FBI subjects allegedly harassing and stalking him.

While on the line, it was determined the caller, Ali Cross, had a non-extraditable warrant out of Virginia for Assault, and a notice of caution from Washington for violent tendencies and assault on law enforcement.

Cross was agitated and began cussing. The call ended but he came back on the line still cussing and telling dispatch to send police or he was going to continue calling. He then hung up again.

A third call from Cross came through, where he said he wanted to fill out a complaint with the FBI. He was warned for his misuse of 911, and when he called back, he wanted to know if police were on their way, saying he was illegally being harassed by the FBI and Federal Informants.

Upon calling again, Cross was warned for misuse. He said he would keep calling and didn't care if he was warned for misusing 911. He was warned again, but he kept cussing and yelling at dispatch asking if police were en-route.

Cross continued to call 911. An employee of the hotel was heard in the background trying to quiet Cross down so he wouldn't disturb guests. Grants Pass Police did respond to the scene where they then detained Cross, trespassed him from the hotel, and took him into custody.

Cross was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for six counts of Improper Use of 911, as well as Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

 

The holidays can be a challenging time for people with substance use disorders, and the Oregon Health Authority has tips to help make the season safer and brighter.

OHA encourages planning ahead by preparing for potential triggers. Schedule healthy activities and avoid social situations that could lead to substance use.

Set boundaries and practice declining substances with a trusted friend. Maintaining connections with support groups and engaging in self-care can help as well. Always be prepared and familiar with your recovery plan and have a backup should challenges arise.

OHA reminds those struggling that help is always available. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org, call the Alcohol and Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357, go to FindSupport.gov, or FindTreatment.gov.

To learn more, visit oregon.gov/oha.