Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was investigating a motor vehicle accident that occurred in Merlin early yesterday. On Tuesday at 1:27 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle crash on Merlin Road at Ort Lane. Rural Metro officials reported the collision occurred between a motorcycle and an automobile. They said the driver of the vehicle was not hurt, but the condition of the motorcyclist was unknown because they fled before the arrival of emergency services. Deputies said the motorcycle had been reported stolen and they were investigating in order to identify and locate the suspect. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call (541)-474-5123.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant while investigating a drug-fueled disturbance at a south-city eatery early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident at Casablanca Coffee & Grill on Union Avenue on Tuesday at 5:14 a.m.. Police said a Casablanca employee called 9-1-1 to report a male transient who was obviously under the influence of intoxicants while yelling and putting himself in contortionist positions. Despite the early hour, the man was not wearing a shirt or shoes. Officers arrived on scene and contacted 31-year-old Mark Jeffrey Mislon who displayed numerous indicators of impairment by a narcotic stimulant. He was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession and was placed into custody. Mislon banged his head against the walls of the patrol vehicle and spat on his way to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on the warrant.

 

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in identifying the person or persons responsible for the illegal take and waste of a buck deer in Grants Pass last week. On the morning of July 23rd, a dead buck deer was found on private property on NW Vine Street near Highland Avenue in the northwest part of the city. The property owner recalled hearing a single gunshot on the evening of July 21st, but had not noticed the deceased animal until later. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Turn in Poachers Tip Line at 1-(800)-452-7888, dial *OSP from a mobile phone or send an email to "TIP@osp.oregon.gov." Please reference Case #SP25347008. The Turn in Poachers program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association and Oregon State Marine Board. The TIP program offers cash rewards or preference point awards to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest or citation of those responsible for the unlawful killing of wildlife and/or waste of big game animals.

 

The Natural Resources Department of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG) has issued a Safety Watch for the Bear Creek Watershed in Jackson County. Routine, monthly water quality testing results indicate that four creeks in the local watershed have exceeded state bacteria standards for contact recreation. Those creeks include Neil Creek at Dead Indian Memorial Road in Ashland, Ashland Creek below the Ashland Dog Park, Bear Creek at Blue Heron Park to Fern Valley Road in Phoenix and Bear Creek at Upton Road in Central Point. Possible causes of high levels of bacteria in the creeks include livestock waste, pet waste, wild animals, leaking septic systems, illegal dumping from portable toilets or recreational vehicles, or any other activity that results in the discharge of fecal matter into creeks or through storm drains. Residents are encouraged to use caution when in contact with any waterways and especially to avoid ingestion which may cause illness and contact with open wounds which may cause infection. Very young children should be fully supervised when playing in the water to avoid swallowing it. It is important to note that contact with any water body -- creeks, rivers, lakes or swimming pools -- carries some level of risk.

 

The National Weather Service has upgraded a Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for parts of southwest Oregon and northwest California today. The Red Flag Warning for the Rogue Valley including the Illinois Valley and the Siskiyou Mountains is in effect from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.. Weather experts say abundant lightning on dry fuels may result in the potential for numerous fire starts. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are likely to be wet, but lightning strikes outside of precipitation are possible, raising concern for new fire starts. Winds gusts of 35 to 50 miles per hour could travel outward up to 25 miles from thunderstorm cores. Follow all current fire restrictions. One less spark means one less wildfire. A Red Flag Warning is issued when the Weather Service identifies conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become property- or life-threatening. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities.

 

The City of Grants Pass is inviting citizens to attend an Open House for the 6th & 7th Street Multimodal Corridor Study. The Open House will take place on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Grants Pass Welcome Center at the corner of 6th and G streets. If you live, work, go to school or travel through downtown Grants Pass, the City and Project Team want to hear from you. They're working to understand how people get around and what makes it challenging -- especially for those who want to bike, walk, roll or take the bus. Speak directly with City and Project staff in the first of two open house events for the project, which is scheduled between now and April 2026. Additional information about the 6th & 7th Street Multimodal Corridor Project can be found at "tinyurl.com/GP-6-7-Streets."

 

It's time to "Buckle Up" for Day One of the 2025 Josephine County Fair in Grants Pass. The Fairgrounds gates will be open today from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with free admission, free parking and a shuttle at Rogue Community College. Parking at the Fairgrounds is offered by the Caveman Kiwanis for $10. The featured entertainment at the Fair today is the Challenge of Champions Bull Riding Competition in the Covered Arena at 7 p.m.. "Live" on the Pavilion Stage, it's Jim Lesher & Pure Country at 6:30 p.m. followed by Gretchen Owens at 8. Daily entertainment includes Exhibit Halls, a Selfie Fair, Bingo and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show plus strolling entertainers on the Midway. The Carnival opens at 2 p.m.. For more details, please visit "josephinecountyfairgrounds.com."

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office cited a motorist for causing a crash on Redwood Highway in Cave Junction yesterday. On Monday at 4:05 p.m., sheriff's deputies, the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision on US Highway 199 at Laurel Road. No one was seriously hurt and at least one of the vehicles had to be towed. Deputies said an investigation determined that the driver of a Mazda station wagon ran the stop sign at Laurel Road and smashed into the side of a recreational vehicle on the highway. All involved occupants were checked out by AMR personnel. A passenger in the RV sustained a swollen elbow, but refused transport to a hospital. Following the investigation, the driver of the Mazda was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device. According to the report, all parties were from California and they were advised to notify their local Department of Motor Vehicles about the incident.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating a court order by contacting a woman who was legally protected from him. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 1900-block of SW Hungry Hill Drive around midday Sunday. Police said an anonymous complaint advised them about the disturbance in which the caller reported a male and female yelling at the residence. Officers arrived on scene, contacting 39-year-old Zachary Kaelin Porter and the woman. An investigation determined that Porter was in violation of a valid restraining order by contacting the woman and being at her home. He was placed into custody. Porter was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation and he was being held without bail.