Local News

Troopers with Oregon State Police arrested a man for Disorderly Conduct after blocking Interstate 5 with traffic barrels Wednesday morning.

The subject of multiple reports of a man putting barrels in the roadway of I-5 at milepost 58 was contacted by law enforcement around 9:56 a.m. He refused to identify himself however, and officers took him into custody.

The suspect was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. Troopers were then able to identify him as Ramiro Hernandez-Maldonado Jr., and he was further lodged on an outstanding Parole Violation warrant.

 

All SNAP households must complete an interview when they apply for or renew their monthly food benefits starting June 1st.

According to the Oregon Department of Human Services, this change returns SNAP to standard federal rules, requiring interviews for all applications and renewals. These rules help make sure benefits are accurate and reflect each household’s current situation. An interview must be completed before benefits can be approved.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some households were allowed to skip renewal interviews. This temporary flexibility ends May 31st, and includes households that previously did not need an interview.

This may be the first time some complete a SNAP interview when renewing their benefits. These standard interviews help confirm information, prevent errors, make sure people receive the correct benefit amount, and connect people to the full benefits and services they may qualify for.

Learn more about SNAP at www.oregon.snap.gov. You can contact ODHS at 800-699-9075.

 

The County Commissioners moved to authorize Recreation Director Tamra Martin to sign an Oregon Water Resources Consent Order at today's 10 a.m. Legal Counsel Update.

The State had deemed McMullen Dam to be high risk, and a grant is being requested on the County's behalf by the State to help fund recommended repairs. The board was unanimous in the consent order's approval, as well as authorization for Sheriff Dave Daniel to enter into law enforcement agreements with other agencies.

Up next on the agenda was an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Sheriff's Office. ODF offered to pay for investigative services into arson fires during the upcoming fire season. The Cooperative Wildland Fire Investigation Support offer was approved without objection.

No decision was made on a Confidential Memo regarding Liquidated Damages during the board's Executive Session, and a JB Steel Change Order was approved before the meeting adjourned.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a traffic accident in Cave Junction this morning.

Crews were alerted to the incident that occurred in the 4300 block of Holland Loop Road around 9:36 a.m. The accident involved a motorcycle and a deer.

The motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and was transported by AMR. The motorcycle was towed from the scene.

 

Oregon State Police responded to a fatal vehicle versus motorcycle crash Monday at 9:38 p.m. on Highway 62, near milepost 3, in Jackson County. The investigation indicated a westbound Dodge Ram pickup, operated by Kristin Michelle Cowan, 35, of Medford, struck the rear of a westbound Kawasaki Eliminator motorcycle, operated by John Daren Stribling, 56, of Central Point. Cowan was reportedly uninjured. Stribling and his passenger, Bobbie Lynn Stribling-King, 44, of Central Point, were declared deceased at the scene. The highway was impacted for approximately seven hours during the on-scene investigation. Impairment is considered a primary cause of the crash and the investigation is on-going. Cowan was arrested and lodged in the Jackson County Jail for DUII, Reckless Driving, and Manslaughter charges.

 

Emergency crews responded to a structure fire in the 600 block Jeannie Way in Cave Junction Wednesday at 2:40 p.m.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and Rural Metro Fire Department were dispatched to the fire.

Units arrived and discovered a single structure significantly damaged by flames. The fire was quickly extinguished, and there has been no spread to the wildland.
Rural Metro was canceled and covered the fire district while the fire was being controlled.

Crews conducted mop-up operations. The incident is under investigation.

 

A motion to adopt a supplemental budget and make appropriations and budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2025 - 26 passed unanimously at the Board of Commissioners Weekly Business Session.

The board met Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium. The public brought topics including Grants Pass Airport wildfire mitigation, fireworks bans, animals in meetings, a waste disposal franchise agreement, and appreciation for the board after the resolution was adopted.

The consent calendar was approved, and Commissioner Richardson brought up how the public can sign in to the alert system and find out where their evacuation zone is. He also had images shown of damaged Sheriff's patrol vehicles from a previous incident and the Oregon State Police report of said incident.

The board reiterated that Fire Season will begin Friday, May 15th, at 12:01 a.m. in Josephine and Jackson Counties as well as related regulations and requirements, and the meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

 

A woman wanted on two warrants was arrested by Grants Pass Police after being located at Resting Site 6 North Tuesday morning.

Laurie Momney was observed by officers in the 714 NW 6th Street site around 11:14 a.m. She was known to have two warrants out for her arrest from the police department, charging her with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Failure to Comply.

Momney was contacted by officers. Her name and warrants were confirmed, and she was taken into custody. She was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her two warrants.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a Restraining Order Violation complaint, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Dispatch was told Tuesday at 11:33 a.m. that the suspect had been camping on a property in the 100 block of Harley Lane near a forested area. This was reportedly not the distance required by the Restraining Order.

The caller said there is a move out order for the respondent in the order, and gave consent for deputies to go on the property to contact the suspect, later identified as Daisy Ruth.

She was located, taken into custody by deputies, and transported to jail for a Restraining Order Violation charge.