Local News

There are some important dates for Josephine County voters and prospective voters looming. First, to vote in the upcoming election you must be registered and the last date to register prior to the election is Tuesday, April 28th. That's also the deadline to change your party affiliation, should you desire to do so. You must declare for a political party to participate in the Oregon's closed primary election races. You must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Oregon and at least 16-years-old to register. You must be 18-years-old to vote. Registering or updating your registration can be done either at your local county elections office, that's the County Clerk's office in Josephine County, or online at oregonvotes.gov. You will need documentation to prove citizenship and eligibility.Now that you're ready to vote, be aware the ballots will be in the mail April 29th for the election on May 19th.
Once you've marked your ballot it’s a good idea to get it in the mail quickly. To have your vote counted on election day, it wise to mail your ballot two to three days prior to election day. Other options include the 8 ballot drop boxes that are available right up to 8 p.m. election day. The locations are the County Clerk's office in the court house and at the north and south entrances of the court house, the Cave Junction City Building at 222 West Lister St., Rays Food Place in Merlin, the Hidden Valley Market in Murphy, Washington Federal Bank on Union Avenue and Josephine Community Library rear parking lot in Grants Pass.

 

Two of Grants Pass Broadcasting's radio stations have been nominated as "Station of the Year" in a poll by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. All three nominees have long histories of community service and tradition. All nominees take their F.C.C. license seriously as being licensed to serve the public interest. Part of the narrative submitted on behalf stations KAJO/KLDR listed radio coverage of "blazing fires or fearsome floodwaters." Along with KAJO/KLDR other nominees are KLAD-FM in Klamath Falls and KYTT-FM/K-LIGHT in Coos bay.

 

Night paving begins next week on a half-mile stretch of Oregon 99, South Pacific Highway, between Phoenix and Medford. This is the last section to be paved for the Oregon 99: Glenwood Road to Coleman Creek project, which is on schedule for completion in early summer. This Sunday, April 26, crews will begin paving in the northbound lanes of OR 99 from Northridge Terrace to Glenwood Road. Crews expect to move to the southbound lanes midweek and complete paving by Friday. Traffic will be limited to a single lane in each direction in the work zone. The center lane will not be available for use while crews are working at night; intersections and driveways will remain accessible. Lane closures will remain in place during the day to allow the new pavement to set. Travelers can expect delays, especially near transit stops. Factor in extra time for your commute or consider alternate routes to help reduce congestion in the area. Expect traffic patterns to change through the week as work progresses. Use caution while traveling through the work zone. Slow down and watch for workers and equipment in the roadway.

 

Two of Grants Pass Broadcasting's radio stations have been nominated as "Station of the Year" in a poll by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. All three nominees have long histories of community service and tradition. All nominees take their F.C.C. license seriously as being licensed to serve the public interest. Part of the narrative submitted on behalf stations KAJO/KLDR listed radio coverage of "blazing fires or fearsome floodwaters."Along with KAJO/KLDR other nominees are KLAD-FM in Klamath Falls and KYTT-FM/K-LIGHT in Coos bay.

 

A motorcycle collision with a Kia SUV resulted in both drivers transported to the local hospital. The crash sent multiple first responders going lights and siren down Rogue River Highway to accident scene at the intersection with Mt. Baldy Road. According to the report from the Oregon State Police, the motorcycle, a black Suzuki, was seen going at a high rate of speed from Mt. Baldy Road onto the highway causing the crash with the Kia. The cyclist, identified as 54-year-old Sean Michael O'Connell, was transported to the hospital with significant injuries. The driver of the Kia Sorrento, 74-year-old Patrick Michael Lemasters, was also transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. The Kia was towed and the motorcycle was recovered by the O'Connell family. There is no report of citations in the Troopers narrative.

 

Just after 7 p.m. Wednesday night Grants Pass City police received a call from a mother stating her daughter had stolen her Camaro. Officers eventually jailed the daughter following a wild ride. The 18-year-old daughter went to Albertson's with her father and when Dad went into the store, daughter moved to the driver's seat and left. The mother began a search and saw the Camaro headed to the 7th Street on ramp, speeding and running red lights. Mother stated the daughter was schizophrenic and was off her medications. She told law enforcement the daughter does not drive the car often and she wanted to pursue unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. An investigating officer was leaving Mom's residence when he received a report of the Camaro stopped at the intersection of the Grants Pass Parkway and Agness Avenue. At that time he observed the daughter walking toward Mom's home. He advised her she was under arrest and transported her to the county jail where she was lodged on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. She remained in jail this morning.

 

Grants Pass Police Officers arrested and lodged a 31-year-old man on drug charges Wednesday morning. Officers responded to the initial call at 11 a.m. from the office manager at 861 Northwest 5th Street reporting a man in the courtyard refusing to leave. Officers contacted Brandon Nathaniel Stradford, and confirmed a valid warrant for his arrest for failure to appear for unlawful possession of methamphetamine.Stradford was taken into custody and lodged in the County jail on the possession charge with bond set at $30,000. This is the 3rd incarceration of Stradford for meth possession this year. He remained in custody this morning.

 

This afternoon at 1:30 the County Commissioners will convene a workshop in the conference room in the Court House where they will begin with applications for the County's budget committee. The Commission last week dismissed the entire budget committee and stated at the time that all were welcome to reapply. That process continues this afternoon. The only other item on this afternoon's agenda is a Human Resources personnel requisition for a web and information coordinator. Citizens may attend in person or view the proceedings online on the county's website.

 

Armed with a valid arrest warrant, a Josephine County Deputy located and detained Ian Derek Berry in the area of east Lister Street and North Redwood Highway Cave Junction. The 39-year-old felon's warrant out of the Sheriff's office was for a probation violation for an original charge of theft I. Berry was also wanted on a Grants Pass Police warrant for a probation violation for possession of methamphetamine. Berry was transported and lodged with bond set at $20,000 in the County Jail where, according to jail records is his fifth stay in the last 12 months.