Local News

Oregon State Police issued a criminal citation to a man standing on the shoulder of Interstate 5 Monday.

The trooper responded around 7:16 p.m. to a suspicious suspect just off I-5 southbound at milepost 54. He was contacted by law enforcement, and discovered to have a misdemeanor warrant out for his arrest.

He was identified as Michael Todnem, 36, of Grants Pass, and provided a ride to Rogue River where he was subsequently issued a citation. He was released shortly thereafter.

 

A woman was cited by Grants Pass Police following a Fred Meyer shoplifting report Monday afternoon.

Dispatch was alerted by asset protection at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway store that Theresa Anderson was in custody after a theft attempt. She had reportedly passed all points of sale after concealing about $240 worth of merchandise, with no attempt to pay.

Anderson was lying to staff but otherwise being cooperative according to loss prevention, who wished to pursue for theft and trespassing charges against her. Officers arrived and took Anderson into custody. She was trespassed from the business, cited to appear for Second Degree Theft, and released..

 

A Walmart shoplifting suspect was arrested by Grants Pass Police after she attempted to steal almost $400 worth of merchandise.

The suspect, Venessa McCafferty, was cooperative upon being detained Monday around 12:36 p.m. by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry Lane store. Dispatch was informed she had bypassed all points and attempted to leave with unpurchased merchandise.

Surveillance of the incident was captured, and upon contact with police, McCafferty was found to be in possession of a crystalline substance. She was trespassed from the Walmart, and taken into custody.

Officers lodged McCafferty in the Josephine County Jail. A charge of Methamphetamine Possession was referred to the District Attorney's Office.

 

Grants Pass Police detained a woman wanted on a trespass warrant following a welfare check.

Monday at 6:34, Jessica Knowlton was detained by officers at the corner of SE 8th Street and SE L Street. She was seen entering a vehicle in the area of the check, and a traffic stop was conducted. Officers found Knowlton was wanted on an active and serviceable warrant.

She was charged with Second Degree Trespass out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. Following confirmation of her identity and warrant, she was transported to the Adult Jail Facility and lodged.

 

The Board of Commissioners and Grants Pass City Council met for their monthly update meeting to discuss public land parking, car camping, and a potential Youth Community Center.

The meeting began at 11 a.m. with a potential joint parking venture discussion. A rough estimate from Mayor Clint Scherf for the venture, with the potential opportunity to increase density, was a few million dollars. Council brought the topic to the board to see if there was interest in the community for such a venture, and will bring a parking study to the board for future discussion.

Car camping on the Urban Growth Boundary or on County property was discussed next, where a venture was proposed to potentially set aside land for parking and car camping, where Sheriff's deputies and Police Department units would have shared access.

Lastly, the mayor wanted further conversation to be considered by the board about a fairgrounds building being utilized as a fulltime community center, saying there was a lack of a community resource for the youth. Following a discussion about board and council planning departments, the meeting adjourned, with the three topics discussed today set to be continued during the next Monthly Update.

 

Rogue Community College has released its inaugural Annual Report to the Community, highlighting a year of record enrollment growth, improved student outcomes, expanded workforce programs and partnerships that are strengthening communities throughout Southern Oregon.

The 2025-26 report provides a look at RCC’s impact on students and the region while sharing the college’s priorities for the future. The report is available at roguecc.edu/about.

RCC served 10,247 students during 2025-26, including 7,851 credit students, as demand continued to grow for career and technical education, workforce training and transfer programs. The college has seen a 30% increase in combined graduation and transfer rates following investments in student success, and has expanded access to healthcare education in Josephine County with the renovation of the Redwood Campus E Building.

In April 2025, RCC became the only public college or university in Oregon to receive the Carnegie Foundation’s Opportunity College and University designation.

RCC’s partnerships with local school districts are creating opportunities for students to begin college before they graduate from high school through its Early College and dual enrollment partnerships with more than a dozen Southern Oregon high schools.

The RCC Foundation awarded $929,133 in scholarships to 320 students during 2025-26, with an average award of $3,000. The Foundation also made a $650,000 investment in RCC programs during the year. Along with plans for growth, the report highlights the launch of RCC’s redesigned website and refreshed brand identity.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 17-year-old driver Friday, September 18th, following a vehicle crash that killed his passenger and sparked the 15,000-acre East Evans Creek Fire. The 18-year-old male passenger in the involved 2002 Ford Ranger died July 18th at a local hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. The suspect, a 17-year-old male, is charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide, Reckless Driving, and Second-Degree Criminal mischief. Deputies lodged the suspect in the Jackson County Juvenile Detention facility. Friday, July 10th at 2:39 p.m., dispatch received a call for a rollover motor vehicle crash in the 18,000 block of East Evans Creek Road in rural Rogue River. An Oregon

 

Total payroll employment in Josephine County was unchanged in August over the month and was estimated at 26,830.

According to the Oregon Employment Department, local government education had the largest estimated increase, up by 70 jobs in August. Private education and health services added 20 jobs as well. Job losses were posted in leisure and hospitality (-40), retail trade (-20), and financial activities (-20).

Government had a net gain of 50 jobs with the increase in local government education slightly offset by a loss of 10 jobs in both federal and non-education local government. Over the past year payroll employment in the Grants Pass fell by 70 jobs, a loss of 0.3%. Private education and health services had the largest gain, up by 360 jobs.

Job growth was also estimated in professional and business services (+80), and other services (+30). Job declines were estimated in leisure and hospitality (-220); financial activities (-60); retail trade (-50); manufacturing (-40); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-40); and construction (-20).

Government employment fell by 110 jobs over the year. Losses occurred in local government education (-130), while state (-20) and federal government (-20) also lost jobs over the year. Non-education local government added 60 jobs since August 2025.

Josephine County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 7.0% in August, unchanged over the month and slightly below the August 2025 rate of 7.4%.

 

Containment on the Anderson Butte Road Fire has now reached 40% following another night of great progress by firefighters working to strengthen control lines and extinguish remaining heat. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports the fire remains at 78 acres, with no spot fires or slopovers reported overnight as crews continue to hold it within its established perimeter. Firefighters have extended mop-up 50 to 75 feet inward from the perimeter, while snagging operations have now been completed 150 feet into the burned area around the entire fire. Crews will continue gridding for remaining heat and extinguishing hot spots as they work to increase containment. Steep slopes, dense vegetation and dead snags continue to present challenges. Resources assigned to the fire include four 20-person hand crews, one falling module, four Type 6 engines and seven water tenders. Aircraft are also available to support suppression efforts if needed. Temperatures are expected to be cooler today than the previous three days, providing even more favorable conditions for firefighters. The investigation into the official cause of the Anderson Butte Road Fire is ongoing.