Local News

Officers with Grants Pass Police arrested a man wanted on two out of county warrants Thursday morning.

Law enforcement contacted the suspect, Tyrone Cashatt, at the corner of NE B Street and NE 6th Street around 10:51 a.m. He was heading westbound on B and wasn't stopping. As he was approaching 6th, officers detained him.

Cashatt was known to be wanted on two warrants out of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Medford Police Department. He was wanted for Eluding Police and Possession of Methamphetamine, so officers took him into custody.

He was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on his warrants.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is warning the public of ongoing Oregon DMV scams. According to ODOT, this nationwide scam, which began as a toll phishing scam, has been targeting drivers in several states for nearly two years. Oregon DMV will never send you notices, warnings or payment requests by text or email. These fake messages often come from international phone numbers or non-government email addresses. They can cite fake administrative codes, and threaten to suspend vehicle registration or driving privileges. Scammers will demand payment by a certain date, and provide a link to URLs that may contain the agency name but with added letters or dashes. Past scam messages often included obvious spelling and grammar mistakes. While those are still a red flag, many of today’s criminals are using artificial intelligence to generate realistic, professional-sounding messages.

 

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.