Local News

The Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment is hosting two public events in the Medford area in early May.

According to the Oregon Military Department, the community is invited to learn more about their local National Guard May 1st at the Medford Armory, and May 2nd at the Bear Creek Greenway.

The armory at 1701 South Pacific Highway will hold the 1-186th Infantry Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can talk with soldiers and learn about military occupational specialties. Military vehicles will be on display, and Oregon Army National Guard recruiters will be on hand to answer questions about military service and career opportunities.

The following day, a Norwegian Foot March will be hosted at the greenway, 2931 South Pacific Highway. Registration and ruck sack weigh-in begins at 4 a.m., with the march kicking off at 5 a.m. The event concludes at noon.

The march is a physically demanding endurance march, where participants carry a 24-pound dry rucksack over the course. Those who complete the march will receive a commemorative plaque or coin. Drinks and snacks will be provided. The event is open to the public and free to participate.

For more information about the Open House, call 541-450-8978. For details on the Norwegian Foot March, call 805-704-6468.

 

Rural Metro Fire Department crews responded to a mostly extinguished fire at a residence on Donaldson Road Monday at 1:39 p.m.

Firefighters believed a floating ember from an outdoor fire pit that landed on a gardening table led to the flames that climbed the outside wall of the home. It was confirmed no hidden heat was present following an inspection of the attic.

No injuries were reported. Grants Pass Fire, AMR, and Oregon State Police assisted at the scene.

Outdoor fire pits and open debris burning is a common activity this time of year. Rural Metro reminds the public that recreational fire pits used near the home must be attended, or otherwise extinguished when not in use.

A screen is also critical to help capture hot embers that might otherwise escape and land in or on flammable items.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District cleared up a rock fall incident that occurred at Sours Flat in Cave Junction, and the corner of Redwood Highway and Deer Creek Road.

According to their post on Facebook, the IVFD responded to a fire assist call Monday at 9:30 a.m., regarding public safety on the roadway near the ghost town between Reeves Creek and Eight Dollar. The situation occurred due to a possible dump truck or trailer that dropped rocks on the roadway.

Traffic control measures were established, and by 11 a.m., all roads were opened following cleanup operations.

The rock fall reportedly extended about one-quarter of a mile. The Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation provided assistance.

 

Expect nighttime exit ramp closures on Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass In the coming weeks. Crews will be working on pavement repairs and safety features as part of the I-5: Monument Dr. Grants Pass project. The I-5 southbound on-ramp at Exit 66, Hugo from Monument Drive will be closed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. During daytime hours this week now through Friday morning, May 1. Crews will be working on Monument Drive near the exit. Expect short delays with flaggers directing traffic. From the evening of Sunday, May 3 through Friday, May 8, the I-5 northbound off-ramp to Monument Drive will be closed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. During ramp closures, travelers are advised to follow detour signs or use an alternate route.The northbound Manzanita Rest Area (Exit 62) will be closed during the day on Monday, May 4 for paving work; the southbound rest area will be closed on Tuesday, May 5. Watch for intermittent I-5 lane closures near the rest area.Expect short delays with intermittent shoulder and lane closures as crews continue work on Interstate 5 south of Exit 66 during the day. Use caution and watch for workers and equipment in the roadway.Additional ramp closures are planned in the project area in the following weeks. The construction schedule is subject to change for adverse weather conditions. Updates will be provided on the project webpage and on TripCheck.com.

 

An Oregon State Trooper stopped a white Nissan Sentra Sunday afternoon at 4:18 in Grants Pass at the intersection of 7th and School Streets. The driver, Jose Enrique Mendez-Lopez, 26, of Medford, was driving suspended at the misdemeanor level. The driver also had two warrants for his arrest out of Jackson County. The Trooper city the driver for driving while suspended and arrested him on the valid warrants and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail. Jackson County was notified of the arrest. He remained in the county jail Monday morning.The Nissan was impounded and towed.

 

Sunday afternoon at 2:19 an Oregon State Trooper stopped a silver Ford Fusion for traffic violation and arrested one of the passengers. The stop was on Highway 199 at milepost 4 in the northbound lane. During the investigation it was discovered one of the passengers possibly had a valid warrant for his arrest. His identity was confirmed as Chance Vaughn Edward Kersten, 33, of Selma. The warrant listed two charges, one for identity theft and one for aggravated I.D theft. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail with the cash bond listed as $110, 000.The Ford's driver, 34-year-old Jamie Lee Hopson, was issued warnings for her traffic violations.

 

A mother called Grant Pass City Police after finding her son broke into her home and was believed to be asleep, under the bed. The son was arrested and jailed. Sunday morning the mother saw a broken window, checked the bedroom and noticed shoes underneath the bed. She then called police at 9:42 because the son is restrained from being there. The son, identified as Nicholas Glenn Loewen, 36, is a known felon who has faced weapons charges previously. The mother did not know if the son had weapons with him but stated there were no weapons in the house. Officers entered and issued a challenge. The son emerged and was having difficulty breathing. Ambulance was requested and transferred Loewen to the hospital who was notified to have security ready. Loewen was cleared and transferred to the county jail where he was lodged on three charges: burglary I-residence, Criminal Mischief II-vandalism and contempt of court for violating the restraining order. He had three other contempt of court charges in early March and was charged as being a felon in possession of a firearm February 19th. He remained in custody this morning.

 

Saturday afternoon Johan Velasquez-Urbina, 28, reported to the Josephine County Jail to have a mug shot and finger prints taken. Mr. Velasquez was then arrested and lodged in the facility on a Sheriff's Department warrant charging him with failure to appear and a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants. The original charge is from July of 2025 when he was charged with three counts of recklessly endangering, reckless driving and DUII. Velasquez remained in custody Monday morning.

 

The Board of Josephine County Commissioners have two scheduled meetings this morning. The first, at 9:00 a.m., is a continued land use hearing that will be held in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.Following the land use hearing Commissioners will adjourn to the Conference Room in the Court house and convene an executive session to consider the dismissal or discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against the Airports Manager.