Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested two women near the Fred Meyer gas station late Thursday night.

One suspect, Sabrina Willet, had taken an unknown amount of keychains from the nearby GameStop at 144 NE Terry Lane Wednesday.

She admitted to taking $12 worth of the merchandise, and after law enforcement viewed surveillance footage from the store showing Willet passing all points of sale, she was taken into custody.

Willet and the second suspect, Sierra Wright, both had active warrants out for their arrest. Wright's warrant out of the Medford Police Department charged her with Possession of Narcotics.

Willet's warrants out of both the Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Grants Pass Police Department charged her with Larceny, and Property Crimes. During a consent search of her person, law enforcement located used needles, burnt plastic straws, and a clear plastic container.

The container had a white residue, which field tested presumptive positive for the presence of Methamphetamine. Charges for Meth Possession were referred to the District Attorney's office.

Wright was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for her warrant, and Willet was lodged on two counts of Second Degree Theft, Third Degree Theft, and Unlawful Entry into a Vehicle.

 

Commissioner Ron Smith wasn't present for this morning's General Discussion. In a statement, Commissioner Chris Barnett read that the meeting was properly noticed, but a quorum wasn't present as required by the Josephine County Charter. No official meeting could occur, nor any deliberation. No decisions or votes could be made. The statement continued that only information would be provided for transparency and public awareness. Any items requiring board action will be addressed at a future meeting when a quorum is present. Commissioner Barnett, with Assistant County Legal Counsel Leah Harper present via Zoom for further clarification in regard to the full board, endeavored to bring clarity to any potential confusion regarding the recusal process, governor involvement, and a potential temporary board of elected officials appointing a new commissioner, pending no quorum due to vacancies on the board. Applications for the one vacancy are available at www.josephinecounty.gov.

 

The Bureau of Land Management has re-opened the Lower Table Rock trail and Oak Savannah ADA Loop trail.

This follows the completion of the first phase of a major trail improvement project designed to expand safe, accessible recreation opportunities.

The trails closed November 12 to complete initial upgrades, including grading, draining improvements, and installation of a layer of base gravel.

The trail will close again for a short period in late spring 2026, when it is warm enough to lay the final asphalt surface.

The Table Rocks are designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern because of their cultural and biological significance. More than 50,000 visitors annually hike the Table Rocks, making it one of the most popular hiking locations in southern Oregon.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments for a proposed gold, silver, and platinum mine on 22 public acres near Cave Junction in Josephine County.

If approved, Roarick Mining could conduct placer mining, without chemicals or solutions, of unconsolidated gravel deposits in an area mined previously.

The BLM designed the project to ensure mining activities would occur responsibly while considering overall land health and protection of natural resources. The comment period will close Jan. 7, 2026.

Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, or by calling 541-471-6500.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched at 4:52 p.m. yesterday to a reported traffic accident

Upon arrival, first responders observed a head-on collision involving two vehicles in the 400 block of Laurel Road, Cave Junction. One individual required extrication from their vehicle.

One patient was transported to the hospital, and the roadway was closed during the incident.

The Sheriff's Department requested two tow trucks from Jerry's Towing to remove the involved vehicles.

 

The Grants Pass City Council's Monday workshop will be followed by an executive session for real property transactions and negotiations.

Before convening, the Council has non-bargaining compensation and classification, and direction for the Comprehensive Fee Schedule on the agenda.

The agenda review will cover a Public Safety Advisory Committee motion, a Business meeting, and the calendar.

Monday's City Council Workshop will begin at 11:45 a.m. in City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street, and will be streamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

 

Grants Pass Police spoke with a woman in the 2000 block of SW Esther Lane that was looking for her daughter Wednesday afternoon.

At 4:18 p.m., the daughter's phone pinged on the mother's Find My iPhone app about twenty minutes out, heading towards Grants Pass on Interstate 5. The mother said she may call 911 if her daughter's phone pinged closer to town.

Dispatch forwarded the mother to law enforcement. She continued to track her daughter to Solista Grants Pass at 1001 NE A Street, her daughter's workplace.

Officers arrived at the retirement community and took the daughter into custody. She was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on a warrant for Hindering Prosecution, but then released due to lack of jail resources.

 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office learned of a domestic disturbance Wednesday.

According to KPIC, the disturbance occurred between a 38-year-old Glendale woman and 52-year-old Corey Lange in the 100 block of Section Creek Road in Glendale.

Deputies learned Lange, of Glendale, was in possession of a rifle during the disturbance and is legally prohibited from firearm possession. A search warrant was granted to deputies for the residence and for Lange’s arrest.

Early Thursday morning, members of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office's Tactical Response Team executed the search warrant. Lange was not located.

During the search, deputies contacted Promise Phelps, 27, of Wolf Creek and Jason Dangerfield, 44, of Glendale. Both had outstanding warrants for their arrests.

Phelps was also arrested on a charge of First Degree Burglary and charges of First-Degree Theft related to a previous case. Both were lodged at Douglas County Corrections.

Anyone with information on Lange’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 440-4471 and reference case number 25-4207.

 

The Oregon State Police are investigating an in custody death. On Wednesday at approximately 11:45 p.m., during regular cell checks, a Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Corrections deputy discovered Nathan Adams, a 50-year-old adult in custody, unresponsive in his cell. The deputy immediately began life saving measures with the assistance of other staff until American Medical Response arrived. AMR continued life saving measures, but Nathan was pronounced deceased. Next of kin has been notified. Per standard protocol, the Oregon State Police was contacted to investigate the death. There were no indications of foul play. No further details are being released at this time.