Local News

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man for Meth Possession after he was found lying in front of a fence on someone's lawn.

Dispatch was notified by someone driving by on southbound Kellenbeck Avenue that a man was on the eastbound side of the roadway at an undisclosed residence.

Officers arrived and contacted the suspect, Sean Mitchell. He was known to have an active and serviceable warrant for Dangerous Drugs. He was detained, and law enforcement requested a Community Service Officer for a Safeway shopping cart and trash in the area.

While Mitchell was being taken into custody, drug paraphernalia and a small bag with a white crystal like substance was found under his person. The substance tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Officers lodged Mitchell in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Meth and his warrant.

 

According to the Commissioner's office, today's 10 a.m. Weekly Business Session in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium was canceled due to ongoing security threats. Administrative actions for the canceled meeting included board orders in the matter of setting County charged fees and Public Hearings, as well as the rescheduling of the Regular Weekly Business Session Meeting of the Board for 2026. Also on the agenda was a Public Hearing in the matter of an Annexation to the Josephine Community Library District by Petition of Landowner without Election, and consent calendar minute approval.

 

A man wanted on an out-of-county warrant turned himself in to Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

At 8:35 a.m., the suspect, Leif Bjornsen, arrived at Police Department Headquarters, 726 NE 7th Street. He had a valid warrant for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender out of the Curry County Sheriff's Office.

After turning himself in, and a positive identification, Bjornsen was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on the warrant.

 

A young boy from Selma is facing a challenging road to recovery after a tragic accident left him with severe burns over much of his body. KDRV reports Oli, 6, is now in the PICU at Randall Legacy. His mother, Natasha, said Oli will undergo multiple surgeries over the coming weeks. The accident occurred a week ago when Oli and his father were involved in a burn pile incident. Both suffered significant burns, with Oli facing a 60 percent chance of survival. Natasha said his dad is in the burn center next door and will be having surgeries on his hands. To assist with the mounting medical expenses, Oli's family has started a GoFundMe page aimed to help him and his family now, and in the future. You can donate by going online to www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-oli-and-jeffs-burn-recovery.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will meet for a General Discussion Friday regarding Commissioner Vacancy Position number 1.

After the discussion, and pending other matters the board may introduce, the meeting will adjourn.

Friday's discussion will begin at 9 a.m. in the BCC Conference Room and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those who would like to attend in person must abide by the clear bag policy.

 

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden announced today he has joined Senate colleagues to introduce legislation to help wildfire survivors in Oregon and nationwide.

The legislation would permanently ensure wildfire survivors are not taxed on compensation they receive for losses and damages suffered during a wildfire.

The Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation after Fire Extension Act would extend and make permanent the protections signed into law last year within the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which excluded wildfire-related settlement payments from federal income tax calculations.

This includes payments that cover living expenses, lost wages, or compensation for injury, death, or emotional distress.

However, this exclusion is set to expire at the end of 2025. Failure to extend this provision means any wildfire-related settlement payments beginning in 2026 will again be subject to federal income tax obligations.

More and more states have qualifying settlements or active litigation related to wildfires. This bill would allow wildfire survivors to put the full amount of their settlement money toward recovering from devastating losses.

Additionally, the bill would allow victims to claim the exemption in the year they receive payments rather than to amend prior tax returns for a refund.

 

On Tuesday, Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman wanted on four warrants.

A mandatory reporter called dispatch saying she saw two elderly women outside a property in the 1000 block of SE Park Plaza Drive. They said they were trying to get their niece out of the building, claiming she was being abused by her boyfriend.

The caller said she hadn't heard any disturbances and stated it looked like the women had gotten inside the apartment. She would call back if she heard any disturbance.

Officers had responded to the location previously regarding the niece, and, upon arrival, contacted and detained her. She was wanted on four warrants: Two out of the Medford Police Department, and one each from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and the Oregon State Parole Board.

Her warrants charged her with Parole Violations on original charges of First Degree Theft, Second Degree Burglary, and Assault in the Second Degree, plus Initiating a False Report. She was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Just days before Mt. Ashland's December 13th target, it was announced that opening day would be delayed indefinitely.

An email sent to the newsroom said Mt. Ashland needs about 2.5 feet of snow on the ground and about 3 days of preparation before the mountain can open.

While Mt. Ashland does have access to 5,000 gallons of water every day and a snow gun that uses 100 gallons of water per minute, it isn't able to do any snowmaking.

The email said they have enough water in their Ski Area that they would only be able to run a snow gun for a very short amount of time per day. Not nearly enough time to make snow that would allow for them to open.

 

Josephine County is proud to announce the dedication and opening of the newly certified Forest Therapy Trail at Fish Hatchery Park.

Officially recognized by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), the EcoRECOVERY Trail is now the first certified Forest Therapy Trail in Oregon and the only certified trail in the entire Pacific Northwest, said a news release from Recreation Director Tamra Martin.

ANFT-certified trails are evaluated for safety, biodiversity, accessibility, and features such as gentle slopes, diverse plant life, and access to natural water.

This project was led by community member and EcoRECOVERY founder, Dawn Cogliser. To learn more about EcoRECOVERY, visit www.ecorecovery.health.

Guided forest therapy walks are offered on the last Sunday of each month, inviting the community to explore the sights, scents, and calming atmosphere of Fish Hatchery Park.