Local News

$3.5 million have been secured in direct investments for Grants Pass and Josephine County. In a press release, it was stated the funding was included in a package of legislation passed, and that the funds will help support economic and community development in the city and county. $2 million are being invested for the Spalding Industrial Park wastewater infrastructure upgrade in support of future job creation and industrial development. $1 million will be invested for horse racing infrastructure like track maintenance and event support at the fairgrounds. Additional funding of $500,000 will support other fairground improvements.

 

A Land Use Hearing regarding an application requesting a designation and zoning change to 8980 Monument Drive resulted in unanimous approval from the Board of Commissioners. The existing zone at the property is Farm Resource land. Rose Butte LLC was the applicant, with Rhine Cross Group LLC representing, in a request to change the Comprehensive Plan designation from Farm to Residential. The application also included a zone change from Farm Resource to Rural Residential and goal exception. Rose Butte LLC applied for an application review for an amendment to the comprehensive plan, zone change, and goal exception back on April 25th, 2025. The application was deemed complete on August 6th. The Planning Commission then concluded that the evidence provided by the applicant did demonstrate the area as non-resource, making it suitable for the development of a residential area. There were no opponents to the application during the Hearing, and the board moved unanimously to approve and move forward with the process outlined in the application.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will meet for one of two County Administration Workshops Tuesday.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, the board will hear from Legal Counsel about an Underground Right of Way Easement with T-Mobile regarding electric distribution and communication lines underground on 370 Bowhill Road.

Legal Counsel will continue with an Extension of a Franchise Agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC, Federal Land Use Coordination Letters, a Conflict Waiver with D'Amore Law Firm, BOLI Case Numbers, and Public Comment on the BLM Western Oregon Timber Plan.

Other departments will present requests to the board like the Airport for an Illinois Valley Airport fueling system, the Information Technology department regarding web-based platforms for county meetings, and the Planning department with Williams Appeal Findings of Fact and Decision.

Following Personnel Requisitions and Actions from Human Resources, and Anne G. Basker Auditorium Rental Applications, the board will adjourn the meeting.

A second workshop is scheduled to take place in the BCC Conference Room at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a 5:30 p.m. Weekly Business Session. All meetings can be attended in person, or streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect after he fled the scene of a vehicle crash.

On Sunday around 8:44 a.m., it was reported the suspect vehicle, a maroon Chevy Geo ran a stop sign, drove through a fence, and wound up in someone's yard in the 5000 block of Holland Loop Road.

The suspect then left the scene towards Caves Highway. There were no injuries at the scene of the incident. Deputies later identified the suspect at 8:50 a.m. in front of the Siskiyou Market. He was identified as Philip Gaare, and he admitted to crashing into the fence and leaving the scene.

After investigating the incident, it was determined damages would amount to about $1000. Deputies took Gaare into custody, and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving, Hit and Run Causing Property Damage, and First Degree Criminal Mischief.

 

Rural Metro Fire wants to remind the public to test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Make sure the battery is good, and that the alarm itself is not older than 10 years. Replace the batteries if needed, and remember to put the date on the new batteries to track how long they have been in use.

Rural Metro also encourages everyone to check their fire extinguishers. Make sure the gauge indicates a full charge, the hose isn't clogged, and the powder floats freely inside the container when turned upside down.

Be sure to store extinguishers away from likely ignition areas, like near heating devices and cooking areas, and near an exit, so that escape is possible if the extinguisher is ineffective.

Rural Metro says having properly functioning alarms near sleeping areas in your home is one of the simplest actions to ensure you and your family's safety in the event of a fire.

 

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a bank robbery at the People's Bank on NE 7th Street Friday around 12:26 p.m.

Patrol officers immediately responded. Due to the seriousness of the crime, Grants Pass Police Major Crime Unit Detectives were requested to assist.

Following the initial investigation, Renee Freitas was identified as the suspect. Less than 45 minutes after the robbery, a Grants Pass Police School Resource Officer located her near the Grants Pass Shopping Center.

Freitas was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Robbery in the Second Degree, two counts of Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Theft in the First Degree.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was alerted to the arrest as well.

 

A woman wanted for a Burglary warrant was arrested by Grants Pass Police Thursday night.

A call from Pendleton voiced concern for their in-laws, who were housing the suspect and her boyfriend at a property in the 1100 block of SE Casey Place. THe reporting party believed the in-laws were in danger with the suspect being around due to previous experiences.

The caller told dispatch that the suspect had an active warrant out for her arrest. Deputies responded to the scene and contacted the suspect, confirming the warrant in the process.

After positively identifying the suspect, deputies took her into custody for her Oregon State Parole Board warrant. She was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police lodged a man for Meth Possession after he was reported trespassing at Oregon Books and Games Thursday.

Dispatch was notified around 3:58 p.m. that the suspect was inside the 150 NE E Street store rambling. An employee believed the man had been previously trespassed, and wanted to press charges.

The suspect left the premises, so arriving law enforcement checked the surrounding area. The officer observed and recognized the suspect, Gabriel Feliciano, near NE 7th Street and NE G Street. He fled on foot, but was later detained at the corner of NE F Street and NE 8th Street.

A consent search was conducted, and the officer found two small zip bags containing a crystalline substance. Both bags were field tested and produced positive results for Methamphetamine. Feliciano was lodged in jail for his warrant charging him with Burglary, Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and a Possession of Methamphetamine charge.

 

A theft was reported at a Pinnacle 365 Thursday morning, resulting in the arrest of a man with two prior warnings for trespassing.

An employee of the 1044 NW 6th Street location called 911 reporting a man had stolen a honeybun and eaten something else from the store. While the employee had tried to stop the suspect, he left the scene on Manzanita Avenue.

Officers tracked down and contacted the suspect, Jacob Reeder, in front of the courthouse. He was found to have been previously trespassed from the store twice, and the employee ultimately only wanted to pursue trespass for Reeder.

He was taken into custody and lodged in the adult jail facility for a charge of Second Degree Theft.