Local News

Christopher Stucke, a Navy veteran pursuing an associate degree at Rogue Community College has been selected to attend the Student Veterans of America Leadership Institute. This honor recognizes Stucke's commitment to leadership and service as he advances his education. The event will take place Oct. 15-19, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Stucke, 31, of Grants Pass, served 10 years in the Navy, leaving as a petty officer second class. He worked as a helicopter crew chief and aviation rescue swimmer. His crew participated in the aerial firefighting program in Southern California. Stucke began classes at RCC last fall, pursuing an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree with plans to transfer to the University of Oregon to study business. He is president of RCC's Student Veterans Organization (SVO), the RCC chapter of Student Veterans of America.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office took a man into custody after he was transferred from Montana Thursday night.

Officers lodged Kaleb Farmer in the Josephine County Jail for warrants out of the Grants Pass and Ashland Police Departments.

The GPPD warrants against Farmer included charges of Second Degree Trespass and Criminal Mischief, Third Degree Theft, and Fourth Degree Assault.

Farmer's warrant out of Ashland charged him with Menacing and Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. He was also charged with Felon in Possession of a Weapon.

 

The Grants Pass High School will be hosting the Annual Pride of the Northwest Marching Band Competition this weekend.

On Saturday, October 11th, 13 visiting high schools from Oregon, Washington, and California will have the opportunity to perform and be judged for their visual and general effect, music, and percussion.

As the host school, GPHS will be performing their show "A Swan Song" during prelims and finals as the exhibition band.

Gates open at 10:30 a.m. at Mel Ingram Field. General admission is $20, and students, seniors, and veteran's admission is $15 at the gate.

 

Grants Pass Fire is proud to announce the addition of a new Pierce Impel fire engine to its fleet.

The new apparatus will officially be placed in service this morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Parkway Fire Station, 800 E. Park Street. The public is invited to join them in a traditional “Push In” ceremony.

The Pierce Impel is a state-of-the-art fire engine designed to enhance operational capability, firefighter safety, and service reliability.

The purchase of the new Pierce Impel was made possible through the current City Council approved budget. The department thanks the Grants Pass City Council for their ongoing support and investment in public safety.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry will drop the Fire Danger Level in Jackson and Josephine Counties to "low". Recent fall-like weather and multiple days of widespread rain in the forecast has made it possible to ease off on some public fire prevention regulations on ODF Southwest Oregon District protected lands. Effective Saturday, October 11, at 12:01 a.m., the public fire danger level will decrease to “low” in Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at "one". In low fire danger, restrictions still in place include no debris burning, fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition, and smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, or in boats on the water. For more information about ODF's Fire Season regulations, visit www.swofire.com

 

Grants Pass Police responded to a report of a man barricading himself in a Fred Meyer bathroom stall Wednesday night.

At 11:04 p.m., a caller reported the suspect was refusing the leave the stall. He had been asked to leave earlier in the day after causing a commotion at the 1101 Grants Pass Parkway superstore.

The caller wanted the man trespassed. Upon arrival, officers opened the stall door and contacted Russel Coe. He was placed into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

A woman with 7 warrants out for her arrest was taken into custody by Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

Rishell Hurd turned herself in to officers in the 300 block of NE Beacon Drive. Hurd had warrants from the Grants Pass and Coos Bay Police Departments, and the Douglas and Linn County Sheriff's Offices.

The warrants included charges of Second and Third Degree Theft, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Burglary, Identity Theft, Larceny, and Unlawful Possession of Meth.

Hurd's identity was confirmed, and she was subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrants.

 

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 1,000 block of Arrowhead Drive, O’Brien, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office said the warrant was executed Tuesday, October 7, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service. During the execution of the warrant, approximately 300 marijuana plants and 300 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed. Three firearms were seized on scene. The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. Aaron Cletis Johnson and Bi Yun You were taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. They are both charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved sick leave benefit usage and a fee change hearing during today's Weekly Business Session. The first two agenda items were stricken from the administrative actions, and the board resolution for providing unused sick leave benefits to general service employees was discussed. A minimal cost to the county of about $1,000 would support this action. The board approved the resolution 3-0 along with the hearing and proposed fee changes for the BCC, Surveyor, Public Works, Recreation, Animal Shelter, and Public Health Departments. A public hearing would allow the public to weigh in on the fee changes that will go into effect January 1st, 2026. The proposed fee changes in full can be found at josephinecounty.gov on the Finance Department page. In the matter of confirming the Sheriff's Certificate of Sale, the board approved 3-0 and authorized proceed distribution and execution of all the quitclaim deeds and land sale contracts from the September 2025 Auction.