Local News

The Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, will host its 40th annual spring series of free guided weekend hikes at the Table Rocks.

The series coincides with the Nation’s 250th anniversary and the BLM’s 80th anniversary. From April to June, local specialists will lead family-friendly hikes focused on wildflowers, pollinators, wildlife, geology, stewardship, and the area’s rich history.

Hikes are free and open to all ages. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Hikers will meet at the designated trailhead for the 2.5 to 3 mile roundtrip hike, gaining about 800 feet in elevation. The trails are a moderate grade.

Participants should dress for the weather and terrain and bring water and snacks since hikes to the top may last 3 to 4 hours. Restrooms are available only at each trailhead. There is no drinking water available on site. To help protect this special place, dogs, bicycles, and motor vehicles are not allowed on the trail.

For more information or to register, contact the BLM Medford District Office at (541) 618-2200.

 

The Board of Commissioners met for a Legal Counsel Update where they moved in favor of property items on the agenda.

A Lease Renewal at 530 E River Street with Art and Science Kids, LLC was requested for the usage of grounds, landscaping, and the parking area of the property. The board was unanimous in approving a two year extension.

Also requested was approval to move Sale Documents for the 210 Tacoma Property. The buyers requested to move forward with the purchase process, signing by April 8th, and closing on the 10th if possible. A motion to assign Board Chair Ron Smith to sign documents for the property passed 3-0.

Consideration of the Approval of Accredited Representatives of the News Media was moved to the next Legal Counsel Update, and the scheduled Executive Session was tabled until further notice.

 

A fire occurred in the 300 block of Hartsfield Lane this morning at 4:26, destroying a dog house before spreading to the main home.

Rural Metro Firefighters responded to the scene, where it was found prompt reaction from the occupants kept the fire in check. Crews determined the cause of the fire was a heat lamp inside the goat house.

The family, dog, and goat were all able to escape without injury. Grants Pass Fire and AMR-Josephine County assisted at the scene.

This is the second fire in five days involving heat lamps that have destroyed the homes of local animals. Rural Metro has issued another safety reminder about the importance of proper heat lamp usage.

If lamps must be used, ensure they are well secured and away from flammable materials. Additionally, a simple internet search for "safe livestock heating devices" can reveal products designed with fire safety in mind.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to consider a petition to withdraw property from the Josephine Community Library District.

According to a release from the library, the property owners, Winnie and Edgar Michael Pelfrey, have proposed 1349 SW Spruce Street to be withdrawn from the district. The hearing will take place at 9 a.m. April 15th in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether it is feasible for the territory to receive service from the district. If determined that it is not feasible, the petition will be approved, with a final hearing to be held at a later date.

The public is welcome to attend either in person or online at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

A traffic accident occurred at 2:28 p.m. Wednesday, prompting a response from the Illinois Valley Fire District and AMR.

Crews were dispatched to the single-vehicle rollover incident at the intersection of Redwood Highway and Reeves Creek Road in Kerby.

The individual involved sustained no injuries, and the Oregon State Police are conducting the investigation. The Oregon Department of Transportation provided support with traffic management.

 

Medford Fire Department crews responded to a structure fire at a six-story apartment building at the corner of Ivy Street and Main Street Wednesday.

The fire was located in a first-floor laundry room and was soon contained. Crews worked to clear smoke from the building, shut down the sprinkler system, and address water inside the structure.

Crews later cleared the building around 9:58 p.m., and residents were permitted to go back inside. The Fire Marshal is investigating the incident. There are no reported injuries at this time. Medford Police and Mercy Flights assisted at the scene.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man yelling at Taco Bell employees and lodged him for Disorderly Conduct and Meth Possession charges Monday.

Dispatch was alerted to a man that had come through the drive-thru at the 195 NE Terry Lane restaurant at 9:21 p.m. asking for money to buy food. He proceeded to throw a cup of liquid on an employee and yelled profanities.

The suspect began banging on cars in the drive-thru saying he needed money for food, after which the manager told dispatch they wanted the suspect trespassed, and that he was heading towards the Grocery Outlet.

Officers contacted the suspect, Lance Cardinal, and detained him. He consented to a search of his person, and officers found a fixed blade knife, which was disposed of with Cardinal's consent. A glass pipe with a white residue was also located on his person. Following a positive test for Methamphetamine, Cardinal was taken to jail.

He was lodged for Disorderly Conduct and Possession of Meth. Officers also trespassed Cardinal from the Taco Bell.

 

A man unable to pay for his meal was arrested for theft, then proceeded to resist and spit on Grants Pass Police officers.

The suspect, Ryan Hamstengel, was unable to pay for his $80 meal at Hunan Garden Tuesday at 9:54 p.m. An employee swiped two of his cards, but both were declined a total of six times. Dispatch was notified Hamstengel was intoxicated and told employees he knew all of the Police officers and Sheriff's deputies.

Police arrived and took Hamstengel into custody for a charge of Third Degree Theft. While he was being placed into handcuffs, he turned his head a spit in one of the officer's faces. The other officer took control of Hamstengel's hair and both escorted him to the patrol vehicle.

Hamstengel continued to resist by pulling away and ignoring commands. He was then laid down on the ground and had a spit mask applied. Officers transported and lodged him in the Adult Jail Facility for Aggravated Harassment, Resisting Arrest, and his theft charge.

 

A Josephine County Sheriff's deputy lodged a man after he stole a vehicle to run errands.

Early Tuesday morning at 1:57, a man called 911 reporting he had just woken up to find his vehicle, a Toyota Solara, was missing. He told dispatch no one had permission to have the car, and that the keys weren't in the vehicle.

The reporting party said his son, George Brogdon, who had been staying at the residence in the 3000 block of Sand Creek Road, took the car. Brogdon's parole officer was contacted, and a detainer was issued.

The caller wished to press charges, and the deputy was able to contact Brogdon, requesting to meet with him for an interview regarding the vehicle. Law enforcement met Brogdon at the Fast and Easy Market on Demaray Drive hours later around 3:50 p.m., where he ultimately admitted to taking the vehicle in order to run errands.

He said he knew he wasn't supposed to take the vehicle, and the deputy took Brogdon into custody. He was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and his detainer.