Local News

The Southern Oregon Horse Racing Association (SOHRA) has announced the kick-off of its initiative to revitalize the facilities at Grants Pass Downs.

The “Racing Toward a Brighter Future” project represents years of planning. The venue will host live events and entertainment for the community, with work on the multi-phase project to commence this summer.

Partnering with the Josephine County Fairgrounds, SOHRA aims to transform the facility for the benefit of all fairgrounds visitors. Rod Lowe, SOHRA’s President and CEO of the Horseman’s Racing Association emphasized the importance of public investment in the upcoming project, calling it “a way to bring our community together."

The public can learn details and support “Racing Toward a Brighter Future” by visiting donate.racingontherogue.org.

 

The driver of a speeding van was lodged for Felony Driving while Suspended Monday afternoon.

A call to 911 reported that, around 1:44 p.m., a white van was speeding and swerving, hitting traffic cones and passing a flagger with a stop sign at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle stopped at the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store at 1072 Rogue River Highway. Grants Pass Police located the driver, Edin Semple, in his work van unresponsive but breathing. Medical attention was requested for Semple, who was quickly transferred to Three Rivers Medical Center.

Officers had the van towed from the scene, and Semple was soon cleared for incarceration. He was transported to and lodged in jail for Felony Driving While Suspended, and a Parole Violation Detainer.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest District reported firefighters have been responding to small fires following weekend thunderstorms.

Crews have partnered with U.S. Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and BLM Oregon to tackle the blazes. According to ODF's Facebook page, four fires have been reported in Jackson County and two have been extinguished, the largest of which was caught at just under three acres Monday.

Firefighters responded to two other reports, a tree smoldering on East Antelope Road and a report of smoke northwest of Trail, east of Highway 227.

Despite heavy rain, ODF said it’s possible to see what's called 'holdover' lightning fires in the following days to weeks of thunderstorms, especially if temperatures are higher. If you see smoke or fire, please report it immediately.

For fire updates anytime, visit swofire.com.

 

A woman was arrested on a Theft charge and two warrants after stealing merchandise from Grocery Outlet.

Dispatch was notified of the incident Monday at 10:51 a.m., when the general manager of the 350 NE Agness Avenue grocer reported the shoplifter. She was putting merchandise into her sleeves and a black bag on her shoulder, concealing it with a dog bed.

The suspect was described as wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans, white and black tennis shoes, and a white cropped shirt. The manager told dispatch the suspect would be stopped if she tried to leave the store.

Officers with the Grants Pass Police Department reported to the scene and contacted a suspect matching the description. She was identified as Seryne Martin, and was found to have passed all points of sale, failing to pay for the $19.42 worth of merchandise.

She was taken into custody for Third Degree Theft, then found to be wanted on two valid warrants out of the Police Department. She was wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine and a charge of Obstructing Police.

Officers transported Martin to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility where she was lodged. She was also trespassed from the Grocery Outlet.

 

Two Josephine Community Library District annexations by petition of the landowner are on the Commissioners agenda for Wednesday's 9 a.m. Weekly Business Session.

The board will consider the petitions after a proclamation for the week of May 10th through the 16th as National Police Week. The meeting will continue with requests and comments from citizens, then approval of the consent calendar.

The meeting will adjourn pending other matters from the Commissioners. Wednesday's meeting will be held in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium, and can be attended in person or online at www.josphinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

The Grants Pass City Council were presented Main Street performance metrics and reviewed the Destination Marketing Organization contract during today's workshop.

The metric presentation was for informational purposes, and no action was taken. Councilor Seth Benham recused himself from the 11:45 a.m. workshop in Council Chambers.

The scope of work for Main Street included merchant engagement and coordination, design assistance, promotions, maintaining a membership program, and city liaison engagement.

There are currently 35 members in the organization, and regular monthly meetings are scheduled as part of their performance indicators. The group will continue organizing events like First Friday, Downtown Fashion Experience, and Cruise the Rogue.

Council was then presented with a review of the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) contract, set to expire June 2nd, 2026. Updates to the language were included, as well as Downtown Welcome Center services. This including cost savings of $45,000 for temporary staff, and oversight and training of specialized staff. The contract amplifies visitor experience, with services based on visitor data.

A top priority of DMO is that the city should allocate 30% Tourist Lodging Tax, and progressively increase the percentage over the next five years. Projected 2027 allocations for the lodging tax included public safety at $579,000, parks at $383,000, economic development at $153,000, and downtown development at $153,000.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two suspects in separate downtown resting sites Sunday afternoon.

Law enforcement observed Ethan Wilcox at Resting Site 6 North. He was known to have three warrants out for his arrest, and was soon located inside of a tent at 3:26 p.m. in the 714 NW 6th Street site. After being ordered out, he eventually complied and was taken into custody.

Wilcox's three Grants Pass Police Department warrants charged him with First Degree Theft, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. He was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on his warrants.

Officers later observed Braylyn McElmurry in Resting Site 7. According to the police report, she was impaired by way of a CNS Stimulant. Her parole officer was contacted, who then requested a detainer be placed on McElmurry.

She was taken into custody and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for her detainer.

 

Logos Charter School announced that its Rogue Pack Envirothon Team has claimed first place at the 30th Annual Oregon Envirothon State Competition

The victory on Friday, May 1st, marks the school's eighth state title and fifth consecutive championship.

This year’s winning team includes Eliza Hanson, Avery Jones, Elayna Durham, Amelia Berge, Sebastian Love, Blake Greenwell, Hailey Rosamond, and Isaac Whitman. Their achievement reflects months of dedication, collaboration, and academic preparation.

At the state competition, the Rogue Pack earned top honors in three individual testing stations, Wildlife, Forestry, and Top Overall Oral Presentation, earning the team first place overall. The team competed against 39 teams from across Oregon, presenting their work before a panel of judges and demonstrating knowledge in natural resource management and environmental science.

With this victory, the Rogue Pack has earned the honor of representing the State of Oregon at the NCF International Envirothon, being held this July in Starkville, Mississippi.

 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is encouraging Oregonians take part in defensible space or home hardening projects to kick off Wildfire Awareness Month.

According to the Fire Marshall, research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety shows that reducing combustible materials in the 0-5-foot zone can significantly lower the risk of a home catching fire from wind-blown embers.

Oregonians can be wildfire prepared by taking projects one step at a time like clearing gutters, protecting vents, and removing things that can catch fire near the home.

Other projects include using gravel or pavers instead of bark mulch within the first five feet of the house, and keeping lawns watered and cut during fire season

Consider chipping, composting, or recycling. If burning is necessary, always follow local rules and restrictions. Debris burns that get out of control are the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in Oregon.

Wildfire readiness checklists and free home assessment sign-ups can be found at preventwildfires.oregon.gov.