Local News

Total payroll employment in Josephine County fell by 320 jobs in January.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, this was mostly due to seasonally typical losses in retail trade (-110); construction (-30); and leisure and hospitality (-20).

There were also job declines in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-20), and professional and business services (-20). Government employment slipped by 90 jobs in January. Job losses were posted in federal government (-40), local government (-40), and state government (-10).

Over the past year payroll employment in the Grants Pass MSA (Josephine County) dipped by 160 jobs, a loss of -0.6%.

Employment fell over the year in most private-sector industries, excluding private education and health services, and leisure and hospitality which gained 220 and 80 jobs, respectively. Job declines occurred in retail trade (-120); construction (-50); wholesale trade (-50); manufacturing (-40); financial activities (-40); and professional and business services (-30).

Government employment fell by 120 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education (-110), and local government excluding educational services (-20). State government added 10 jobs over the year.

Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 7.1% in January, little changed over the month and up from the January 2025 rate of 6.0%.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is reminding Oregonians that, as the May 19 elections draw near, it’s a good time to brush up on campaign sign placement rules.

According to ODOT, crews routinely remove improperly placed signs and other displays and items on any state highway right-of-way because they can distract drivers, create collision hazards, and block road safety messages.

Every election season, crews see political signs join other illegally placed items on highway right-of-way. ODOT says they receive complaints from the public and from candidates regarding the improper placement of political signs on highway right-of-way, where only official traffic control devices are allowed.

Wrongly placed political signs will be taken down and held at a nearby ODOT district maintenance office for 30 days. To reclaim signs, go to your nearest ODOT maintenance office.

The width of the state highway right-of-way can vary considerably depending on the specific location. If you’re uncertain whether you’re placing a sign on private property or highway right-of-way, check with the local ODOT district maintenance office.

Signs are prohibited on trees, utility poles, fence posts and natural features within highway rights-of-way. They also are prohibited within view of a designated scenic area. Local municipalities may also regulate the placement of political signs.

 

The Board of County Commissioners approved all agenda items during Wednesday evening's Weekly Business Session. The meeting opened at 5:30 p.m. with a board order for the Delegation of Signing Authority to the Interim Airports Manager. Following public comment, the commissioners moved in favor of the order 3-0. Also approved unanimously was an Illinois Valley Airport Fuel Farm Contract Award to All Construction Elements. This permits the installation of a fuel farm with an 8,000 gallon tank for the purpose of economic development in Cave Junction. The Authorization of Sale for property at 210 Tacoma Street passed, with the board approving 3-0 the full price offer. Lastly, an extension of the Franchise Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC for 10 years was approved. During public comment, there was concern for the recent Budget Committee terminations, as well as reported government hires and board spending. Topics brought to the board included ideas for franchise agreement changes and economic development, transparency, and inquiries about Michael Sellers.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will consider the delegation of signing authority to the Interim Airports Manager during tonight's Weekly Business Session.

Other administrative actions include an Illinois Valley Airport Fuel Farm Contract Award, a board order regarding the 210 Tacoma Street Property, and an Extension of the Franchise Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC.

The public may bring topics to the board during Requests and Comments from Citizens. The board will consider approval of the consent calendar, and, pending other matters, the meeting will adjourn.

Tonight's Weekly Business Session will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. Those wishing to attend may do so in person or via the county website.

The board is scheduled to meet in Executive Session Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room. According to the agenda, items include Consideration of Approval of Accredited Representatives of the News Media. Current Litigation and Litigation likely to be filed will be discussed.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on five warrants Tuesday night.

The officer contacted the suspect, Travis Davenport, at 1550 NW 6th Street around 10:52 p.m. He was known to the officer by sight and that he was wanted on five police department warrants. Four charged him with Possession of Methamphetamine, and one was for Third Degree Escape.

Davenport was taken into custody. After his warrants and identity were confirmed, he was transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged.

 

A campfire was reported Tuesday around 7:26 p.m., leading to one arrest by Grants Pass Police.

No one was seen around the campfire at the time of the report, and emergency crews responded to the scene just off 900 E Park Street. The campfire was located on the nearby island in the Rogue River.

Law enforcement was requested, and officers soon located a man that had left the scene towards Baker Park. Emergency units learned from bystanders that, while there was a fire in the area earlier, they weren't seeing it at that time.

The suspect, Austin Gardner, was contacted by officers. He was found to be wanted on a serviceable Springfield Police Department warrant for DUII. He was arrested after his identity was confirmed, and officers lodged him in jail.

 

A woman known to be wanted on a Methamphetamine Possession warrant was arrested in the Walmart parking lot Tuesday at 8:50 a.m.

An officer with Grants Pass Police observed the suspect, Julie Hatt, at the 135 NE Terry Lane supercenter. She was known to have a police department warrant out for her arrest, so she was stopped and arrested.

A consent search was conducted, and the officer located two bags of a white crystal like substance that field tested presumptive positive for meth. Hatt's identity was confirmed, and she was transported to the Josephine County Jail.

She was lodged on her warrant as well as a Meth Possession charge.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrested a woman who was blocking the alleyway entrance to a downtown business Tuesday.

The suspect, Braylyn McElmurry, was reported to dispatch at 7:20 p.m. She was yelling, throwing things, and blocking the entrance to a business at the corner of SW 6th Street and SW I Street. It was requested she be trespassed.

Law enforcement, after positively identifying McElmurry, detained her and contacted her parole officer. A detainer was placed on McElmurry, but she began walking away from the scene, ignoring commands from officers to stop and that she was under arrest.

She was detained again, and placed into custody without force. Officers were informed by McElmurry that she had fentanyl on her person. She consented to a search of her person, and officers found a piece of foil and a substance that confirmed her claim.

McElmurry began complaining of medical needs. According to the officer report, she had no trouble speaking, no audible noises while breathing, and no obvious difficulty breathing. AMR was requested, and she was soon transported to Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.

After being cleared at the hospital, McElmurry was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the detainer, and charges of Second Degree Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Third Degree Escape, and Resisting Arrest. Her belongings were logged for safekeeping, and she was trespassed from the downtown business.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man after he was reportedly throwing rocks at a passing motorcyclist Tuesday.

The cyclist called 911 at 6:04 p.m. reporting the suspect walking and standing in the middle of 6th Street near the Dollar General. He told dispatch the suspect had thrown rocks at him while he was driving by. There were no reported injuries and the motorcycle sustained no damage.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect, Lee Rich, in front of the 1200 NW 6th Street store. He had reportedly been involved in multiple physical disturbances with different individuals over the course of 30 minutes before he was called in for the motorcycle incident.

Rich was taken into custody for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.