Local News

A Cave Junction man was arrested for impaired driving and more after he crashed into a Josephine County Sheriff's Office vehicle on Redwood Highway and fled the scene yesterday. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the incident on US Highway 199 near Hogue Drive on Wednesday around 2:45 p.m.. Troopers said an investigation determined that 29-year-old Karl Cody Arnold was driving a Toyota Solara when he wrecked into a Sheriff's Chevrolet Silverado patrol pickup driven by a 35-year-old male deputy. No one was hurt and the suspect took off after the crash. Arnold was tracked down and pulled over a short time later. He showed strong signs of impairment and was determined to be impaired at the time of the crash. He was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he provided a breath sample that was 2-1/2 times the legal driving limit. Arnold was jailed for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Recklessly Endangering a Highway Worker and Public Indecency. His wrecked car was impounded.

 

The Oregon State Police cited an elderly motorist after he struck a Josephine County Sheriff's patrol vehicle on Redwood Highway near Hayes Hill yesterday. According to OSP, troopers responded to the two-vehicle crash on US Highway 199 near milepost 15 on Wednesday at 5:21 p.m.. Troopers said an investigation indicated that a 90-year-old Kerby man was driving a Mazda MZ3 and a 53-year-old male deputy was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicle when the wreck occurred. The deputy was passing the slower Mazda sedan when its driver made an unlawful lane change and hit the deputy's vehicle. No one was hurt and neither vehicle required towing. Following the investigation, the Kerby man was cited for Unlawful Lane Change and Driving While Suspended. He was also warned for No Insurance.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department continues its recent focus on citing motorists for traffic violations. Between 6 and 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, GPPD officers pulled over a total of seven motorists in different parts of the city. The traffic stops occurred at SE 6th and J streets, the 100-block of NE Mill Street, Redwood Highway at Tussey Lane, Grants Pass Parkway at NE Beacon Drive, Harbeck Road at SE Aztec Drive, and NE 6th and A Streets. In one incident, a Door Dash worker was observed using an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle and driving through a red light. He was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device and Distracted Driving. In another incident, a female motorist was observed swerving in her travel lane and making a left turn from the right lane without a signal. She was cited to appear in court for No Operators License. A licensed driver took possession of the vehicle.

 

Grants Pass Police cited three people and trespassed one of them during a patrol check at a temporary homeless campground early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers cited Holly Long, Jeffery McPeake and Lori Signs for Utilization of Space at the NE 7th Street campsite on Wednesday. Officers said they trespassed Signs from the campsite for 30 days due to repeat violations. Signs was also issued a trespassing warning at Newman United Methodist Church.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for violating a court order by threatening his mother with a weapon at a home between Wilderville and Wonder. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 42-year-old David Brian Rich for the incident in the 12,400-block of Redwood Highway on Tuesday morning. Deputies said 9-1-1 dispatchers received an open line call and they could hear a car engine when the line disconnected. A woman called back to report her son was off his medications, threatened her with a knife, locked her out of the house and was following her in his vehicle. According to the report, the woman had a valid restraining order protecting her from her son -- but she recently let him move back in with her. Deputies searched the area and pulled Rich over on Highway 199 at Slate Creek. They placed him into custody at Taser point. A pit bull dog was seized and secured at the Animal Shelter. Rich was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing and Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on a local warrant for old impaired driving and new drug possession charges at the Courthouse this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies contacted 65-year-old Sean Dennis O'Keefe and placed him into custody at the NW 6th Street facility in Grants Pass late Tuesday afternoon. Few details about the encounter were disclosed, but deputies said O'Keefe was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for three counts of Probation Violation related to a 2023 arrest for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants plus one count of Methamphetamine Possession related to an arrest from earlier this year. O'Keefe was lodged at the Josephine County Jail where he was being held in lieu of posting $60,000 bail.

 

The Josephine County Public Works Department has excess property that is being auctioned off via the online bidding process. Vehicles to be auctioned -- posted on "GovDeals.com" -- include a description and recent pictures of both the interior and the exterior. All vehicles, equipment and miscellaneous items are being sold "as is." The auction began on Wednesday and will last for 14 days, ending April 16th.

 

Jackson County Sheriff's Lieutenant Dave Penkava retired last week after 25 years of dedicated service to the community. Lieutenant Penkava is very proud to have served with the United States Marine Corp prior to joining the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. In 1997, Penkava began his law enforcement career as a Corrections Deputy. After leaving the Sheriff's Office for a few years, he returned in 2003 and joined the Patrol Division. He quickly proved himself to be a great deputy and leader. Penkava became a Field Training Officer, Traffic Team member, Lethal Threat Management Instructor and a member of the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team. Penkava was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2017. In 2018, he moved up to Sergeant and two years later became a Lieutenant. As such, he was tasked with the difficult job of SWAT Commander as well as overseeing the entire Patrol Division and Lethal Threat Management training program. Lieutenant Penkava has dedicated the last 40 years of his life to serving his country, county and community. His leadership and presence will be greatly missed at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is celebrating "National Property & Evidence Professionals Appreciation Week." The Sheriff's Office recognizes the dedicated professionals who play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system. These law enforcement professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that property and evidence are properly handled, stored and tracked for investigative and legal purposes. Sheriff Dave Daniel thanks them for their hard work, attention to detail and commitment to excellence. He said they are essential to keeping our communities safe and keeping the legal process fair for everyone.