Local News

A Grants Pass Police officer pulled over a man for expired registration Tuesday afternoon.

At 1:47 p.m., the traffic stop was conducted at the corner of Harbeck Road and Southridge Way. The driver of the silver Chevy truck had failed to renew their vehicle registration.

The suspect, Shawn Fitzgerald, was contacted and run through dispatch. He was found to be out of compliance for failing to register as a sex offender.

The officer put Fitzgerald in constructive custody and issued him a citation to appear in court. He was warned by the officer for failing to renew his registration, and released.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will discuss the potential usage of county real property during Thursday's Weekly Business Session. The property at 1798 NE N Street was proposed as the site Pathways to Stability would use in their Addressing Homelessness Grant Program Application. The property, and action considering a JB Steel Invoice payment, are on the agenda. There will be two public hearings to kick off the session: The first reading of an ordinance amending the Josephine County Code to Update Rural Land Development Code Sections and create Chapter 19.998 - Marijuana Businesses, and an ordinance repealing a chapter of the County Code relating to Marijuana Business annual compliance certificate and regulations. Following public comment, the board will also cover the consent calendar, approving minutes and potentially discussing other matters before adjournment. Thursday's Weekly Business Session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. All meeting attendees are reminded to comply with the clear bag policy.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect on an out-of-county warrant Tuesday evening.

The suspect, Karin Cole, was stopped in her white SUV around 6:50 p.m. at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Ken Rose Lane.

Upon contacting Cole, deputies found she was wanted on a Wasco County Sheriff's Office warrant for Meth Possession. She was subsequently taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's Office deputies were called out to a trespassing complaint Tuesday afternoon.

Around 3:45 p.m., dispatch received a call from a woman saying a man was wandering around her property in the 300 block of Prottsman Way.

She said the suspect was taking pictures while standing outside next to his vehicle, a white Kia Rio.The property has a gate, and there are "private property" and "no trespassing" signs on the premises.

Deputies arrived and contacted the suspect, James Howard, at the scene. He admitted to trespassing, was subsequently arrested, cited for Second Degree Trespass, and then released.

 

The Josephine County Food Bank is alerting the community to recent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) news, and how to receive food support. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) issued a notice that the ongoing federal government shutdown is affecting funding for SNAP. If the shutdown continues into November, SNAP benefits for that month will not be issued until federal funding returns. When federal operations resume, ODHS will issue November benefits as quickly as possible, though there may be some delays. More than 25,000 people in Josephine County rely on SNAP, and disruptions like this can make it harder for families to make ends meet. In response to this news, the Food Bank said they will be increasing food purchasing for those in need. They will also be working closely with the Oregon Food Bank Network and community partners to secure additional food and funding. If you need food support, you can find a list of local pantries and meal sites at www.jocofoodbank.org. You can also read updates and recommendations from the Oregon Department of Human Services at www.oregon.gov.

 

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Public Safety Advisory Committee due to a vacancy. This position expires on January 15, 2027. The City Public Safety Advisory Committee serves as a collaborative platform for community engagement and guidance on public safety matters. The committee aims to bridge the gap between the community and the City Council, ensuring that public safety strategies align with the needs and resources of the community. The special qualifications and experience for this position include being a city resident, non-business. Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.org/committee-application. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, November 14. They will be reviewed by the committee on Tuesday, November 18, and appointments will be made by the Council during their meeting Wednesday, December 3.

 

Grants Pass Police were called out to a verbal disturbance Monday morning.

The caller stated the suspect, later identified as Ciera Lokken, was outside the property on the 1700 block of SW Bridge Street. She was yelling on the driveway and had been arguing with the caller's son.

Officers were notified the caller wanted Lokken trespassed from the property. She started heading towards the All Sports Park on Cottonwood before officers arrived.

Lokken was contacted shortly thereafter, and officers found her to have an active Oregon State Parole Board warrant for a weapons offense out for her arrest.

Officers took Lokken into custody and lodged her in the Josephine County Jail on her serviceable warrant. She was also trespassed from the caller's property.

 

During a routine check of a local resting site Monday morning, Grants Pass Police officers arrested a wanted woman.

Officers were in Resting Site 5 at 711 NW 5th Street when they contacted Celia Alvarez. They found she had an active and serviceable felony warrant for Forgery.

Alvarez was taken into custody and subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a wanted woman at Josephine County Community Corrections Monday afternoon.

At 2:41 p.m., the suspect, Hope Hoover, was reported to be in the lobby of the 510 NW 4th Street location.

Officers arrived and contacted Hoover, finding she had a warrant out of the Linn County Sheriff's Office for Meth and Fentanyl Possession.

Hoover was taken into custody, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the out-of-county warrant.