Local News

The Josephine Community Library invites children ages 5 to 10 to participate in the 2026 Library Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.

Participants are asked to create a short story and illustration inspired by the prompt, “One day, I planted a magical seed and….” Completed entries must be submitted in person by Saturday, January 17th, at any Josephine Community Library branch.

Contest prompts and submission forms are available at all four branches in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Williams, and Wolf Creek. Families may also access materials through ParentSquare for elementary students in Grants Pass School District 7 and Three Rivers School District.

All submitted stories and artwork will be displayed during the 2026 Summer Reading Program as part of a community art and writing show at each of the library’s four branches. Up to 15 entries will be selected for publication as part of the 2026 Community Storybook Walk.

For more information about the Library Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, the Storybook Walk, or the 2026 Summer Reading Program, visit josephinelibrary.org.

 

Rob Pell was elected President of the City Council for the calendar year 2026 on a 4 to 3 vote. Rick Riker was voted in as vice-president. The Grants Pass City Council approved an ordinance amending the city’s development code. The amendment allows new residential developments with alley-facing garages to reduce the front setback to a minimum of 10 feet, reducing the minimum of 20 feet. The amendment was passed with the goal of encouraging developers to build more housing units. A second ordinance was passed amending the municipal code to better address public safety risks associated with open flames and flammable materials in parks and exclusion orders. The amendment effectively clarifies the definitions of flammable material and cooking devices, allow the seizure and destruction of flammable materials and devices plus allow officers to designate a first offense a violation and the City Attorney to designate any

 

With the 30-day timeline now expired, a temporary board will fill the vacant Commissioner position. During an afternoon Administration Workshop, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks told the Board of Commissioners that when schedules with the other elected officials lined up, he recommended a meeting of the temporary board, without the Commissioners inclusion. Commissioner Chris Barnett had given Hicks a memorandum, and argued there was a quorum present, notwithstanding a commissioner's recusal. He said a recusal doesn't eliminate quorum nor divest the remaining commissioner of any authority. Commissioner Ron Smith disagreed, arguing there isn't anything to strip him of his discretionary rights, and that there's no point in having an elected official if they don't have said rights. Hicks said, regarding the vacancy filling, the safest route to take would be when the second vacancy occurs.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a trespassing complaint at Safeway Tuesday morning.

An employee of the 115 SE 7th Street grocery store reported a suspect that has been trespassed before was back on the premises begging for change. He wasn't being aggressive but appeared to be under the influence.

The employee wished to pursue a trespass charge. Officers were then able to locate the suspect in the alley behind the nearby G Street Bar and Grill. The man was identified as James Hall, and he admitted to being on the Safeway property.

Hall was taken into custody by officers for Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree. His parole officer was notified, which led to a detainer being requested. Officers then lodged Hall in the Josephine County Jail.

 

An employee of the 1200 NW 6th Street Dollar Tree reported a shoplifter to dispatch.

Around 6:20 p.m. yesterday, the suspect was reportedly talking to herself while putting about $13 worth of food items from the store into her pockets. She proceeded to bypass all points of sale and left the store. The employee wished to pursue theft and trespass charges if the woman was caught.

Grants Pass Police officers were able to locate and contact the suspect at First Interstate Bank at 1304 NW 6th Street. She was identified as Brittany Adams and found to have a warrant out for her arrest, but she insisted her name was "Hope Adams", even after being informed of her warrant.

Officers confirmed her identity and warrant for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. Adams was taken into custody, transported, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the warrant, Third Degree Theft, and Providing False Information to Police. She was trespassed from the Dollar Tree.

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a report of a man smoking meth inside his vehicle Tuesday evening.

Around 5:42 p.m., the suspect was reportedly on 10th Street near the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley at 203 SE 9th Street. An employee of the location told dispatch the man was possibly smoking meth inside his red pickup truck.

Officers arrived and contacted Sergio Trujillo at the scene. He denied using methamphetamine but consented to a search of his person and truck. A clear glass pipe with a white residue was located between the driver and passenger seat cushions.

The residue field tested presumptive positive for meth, after which Trujillo admitted to being a "meth addict". Officers lodged him in the Josephine County Jail on a Parole Violation Detainer and a charge of Meth Possession.

 

A traffic accident occurred on Holland Loop Road at Caves Highway in Cave Junction early this morning.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR-Josephine County were dispatched to the reported incident at 1:08 a.m.

Upon arrival, units discovered a single-vehicle collision, with the vehicle having left the roadway and impacted a group of mailboxes. A thorough search of the area confirmed that no occupants were present at the scene.

The vehicle was subsequently marked for identification, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office was informed for removal.

 

Jackson County experienced the second highest numbers of pertussis (whooping cough) cases in over two decades.

Public health officials are encouraging people to ensure they and their families are up to date on vaccinations and to use other strategies to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

According to the press release from Jackson County Health and Human Services, pertussis often goes undiagnosed. The illness is tricky to diagnose because not everyone with pertussis will have the trademark “whooping" sound when coughing.

In 2025, 63 pertussis cases were reported to Jackson County Public Health. Among reported cases, 65% occurred among school-aged children and adolescents ages 5 to 19, and 19% occurred among children ages 1 to 4.

Vaccination status data indicate that 13% of reported cases were up to date on pertussis vaccination, 24% were undervaccinated, and 63% of the cases were not vaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. As of December 27, 2025, a total of 1,541 pertussis cases were reported in Oregon, and one infant died earlier in 2025.

Jackson County Public Health recognizes pertussis activity may be concerning for families, particularly those with young children, and encourages families to review vaccination records and contact a healthcare provider if they have questions about pertussis vaccination or symptoms.

 

The Eagle Point Police Department served a search warrant in the 400 block of Crystal Drive following a two-year investigation into allegations of animal neglect and animal abuse at the residence, as well as numerous City Ordinance violations. On Tuesday, officers attempted to serve the warrant, but the resident was uncooperative. After negotiations, the resident, identified as Jana Tepper, exited the residence and was detained. A second male occupant then refused to leave the residence. Due to the large number of dogs believed to be inside, officers attempted to remove the occupants without entering the home. When the male occupant continued to refuse to exit, officers entered and safely escorted him outside. Officers from the Eagle Point Police Department, along with Jackson County Animal Control, Mercy Flights, Jackson County Mental Health, and Rogue Valley Emergency Veterinary Hospital, began processing the scene. Investigators estimated that more than 30 dogs were living inside the residence.