Local News

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department detained and lodged a man Tuesday on charges of Methamphetamine Possession and for a Parole Violation detainer.

The suspect had driven himself to Josephine County Community Corrections around 4:55 p.m., but was found to be in possession of both meth and a knife. It was reported he may have been under the influence at the time, and dispatch was told the suspect smelled of alcohol and that there was an open bottle in his vehicle.

Officers arrived and contacted Paul Greco in the parking lot near a dark green Toyota Tundra. He wasn't taken into custody for DUI, but was charged with Meth Possession and had a detainer placed on him by his parole officer.

Greco was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on his charges.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect, identified as Logan Wargin, was detained after being held at gunpoint at the corner of Bureau of Land Management Road 40-7-4 and Althouse Creek Road. Deputies took Wargin into custody around 2:14 p.m., then conducted a consent search of his vehicle.

He was found to be in possession of over two grams of Methamphetamine, the subsequently transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. Deputies lodged Wargin on charges including Possession of Meth, Robbery in the First Degree, Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Unlawful Use of Pepper Spray.

The keys to Wargin's vehicle were later dropped off at his mother's house.

 

Two men attempting to cash a fraudulent check at Evergreen Federal Bank were apprehended by Grants Pass Police Tuesday morning.

One of the suspects, John Eacret, tried to deposit a forged check in an account belonging to a different person around 10:44 Tuesday morning, but the account had been frozen by power of attorney. The account owner's grandson, Cody Bayne, had driven Eacret to the drive-up window to deposit the check at the 1329 NE 6th Street location.

The bank advised law enforcement that Bayne had also cashed forged checks at the location over the past two months. Officers arrived and detained the suspects on site. Evidence from the bank showed Eacret cashed 7 forged checks in the account since February totaling over $2,400, while Bayne had cashed one February 24th in the amount of $200.

The account owner's power of attorney confirmed neither Eacret nor Bayne had the right to access the account. Both were taken into custody by officers and transported to the Josephine County Jail.

Eacret was lodged for First Degree Theft, and seven counts each of First Degree Forgery, and Identity Theft. Bayne was lodged on single counts of Second Degree Theft, First Degree Forgery, and Identity Theft.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office announced via Facebook that all Three Rivers School District schools have initiated a closed campus Secure Mode procedure out of an abundance of precaution. During Secure Mode, all students and staff are secure inside the building. Entry onto campus is restricted, and regular activities inside the building continue as normal. The Sheriff's Office reports that while Secure Mode is in place, students are safe and under staff supervision. They are also telling the public to not come to the school or call. Staff are coordinating closely with authorities to reopen the campus as soon as possible.

 

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a woman after she threw a rock at another woman over reported on-going civil issues.

According to the police report, officers were just at the property in the 700 block of NW 5th Street. A woman reported she was gathering her items in a room when the suspect came in and threw a rock, striking the victim, leaving a red mark and a small amount of pain.

Officers were told the victim had filmed the incident, and upon arrival, they detained the suspect, identified as Camille Lattimer. She was taken into police custody for a charge of Harassment, and transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging.

Lattimer's child was later picked up at the scene by his father.

 

The Board of Commissioners met for a brief Weekly Business Session this morning at 9 a.m., and will reconvene for a General Discussion this afternoon.

Commissioner Ron Smith, during the session, read a proclamation naming Sunday May 3rd, 2026, as Sanctity of Human Life and Respect for Life Day, lining up with the annual March for Life event this weekend.

Both Smith and Commissioner Colene Martin sought to clarify a recent incident involving two Sheriff's Office patrol vehicles. The consent calendar was approved, and the session adjourned.

This afternoon at 1:30 p.m., the board will meet in the BCC Conference Room for a discussion regarding the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council. The meeting will be livestreamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is searching for a runaway teenager. A report was received by law enforcement Tuesday that Blaine Campbell, 13, left his home in the Merlin area on Thursday, April 23rd around 6 p.m. It is unknown what he is currently wearing but usually dresses in all black. Blaine is described as a white male, 5'7" tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and weighing 100 pounds. If anyone has information on his whereabouts, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123.

 

The Grants Pass Budget Committee met and gave tentative approval of the budget items discussed during their 6 p.m. meeting last night. To start the Tuesday meeting, the committee voted Terry Hopkins as Budget Chair, and Tom Bradbeer as Vice Chair. After the Budget Committee Ground Rules were adopted, City Manager Aaron Cubic presented the Budget message, starting with an overview of the Budget Process. Following yesterday's meeting, two more are scheduled for April 30th and May 5th for the proposal of the budget, followed by approval and adoption of the budget, with changes possible after the adoption. City Council will set policy direction and define levels of service for programs and services, while the committee will ensure the budget allocates resources accordingly. Additions to the 2027 budget include six police and six fire positions, with minor staffing adjustments. The total Fiscal Year 2027 budget was presented to be $297,247,088, with part of the increase over last year's budget coming from the Water Treatment Plant. Next years proposed operating budget is $61.9 million. Potential challenges include city expansion, Caveman Pool, the Water Treatment Plant, health care costs, and continuing in the third year of the five year Public Safety Levy.

 

The Board of Commissioners gave staff direction to move forward with a job offer for the new Emergency Management Director Position, pending the results of further background investigations. Sheriff Dave Daniel told the board that a qualified candidate had been identified for the position, and staff was instructed to move forward without objection. The board then approved the refilling of a recently vacated Department Specialist position in the District Attorney's Office. It was unanimous to appoint Trent Carpenter to the Fair Board. The Commissioners then tabled a JB Steel Change Order pending Legal Counsel review, and directed staff to apply for a 60 day extension on an Oregon Department of Aviation Planning Grant. The board continued by approving 3-0 a Rogue Community College Student and Staff Pass Program Agreement with Josephine Community Transit, as well as a FleetNet Digital Radio Annual Service Agreement. Both incur no cost from the county, and the Service agreement covering 39 handheld radio units.