Local News

Following a review of applications and an interview process Thursday, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted in two new Public Works Managers. During their General Discussion in the BCC Conference Room, the commissioners voted 3-0 to give Richard Pike the Engineering, Roads, Operations, and Fleet Manager Position, and Shannon Tok the Administration, Budget, and Accounting Manager Position. The board approved without objection all financial requests from Snell & Wilmer, Options Mental Health, M&M, and Knife River. Two patrol corporal positions with the Sheriff's Office were promoted, and a Public Health WIC Certifier and Human Resources Generalist were approved to fill vacancies in their respective departments. Personnel actions approved were Step Increases for positions in the Community Corrections, District Attorney, Juvenile Justice, Prevention, Public Health, Transit, and Recreation Departments, and the Sheriff's Office.

 

Online Publisher John Oliver Riccio has asked a Josephine County Court Judge to vacate judgments in two libel lawsuits.

The Daily Courier reports Riccio blamed "mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect" for the orders of default and sizable judgements against him in two civil lawsuits brought by local politicians totaling over $500,000.

Riccio said he believed he had properly participated as a defendant after Commissioner Chris Barnett and former County Commissioner John West sued him in October and November 2024.

Both politicians sued Riccio for false publication, libel, and tortious interference. Judge Lauri R. Norman declared Riccio in default in both cases in June 2025, and ruled he would have to pay both West and Barnett's attorney fees and court costs.

Last week, Riccio filed objections to both attorney's fees, saying he hadn't been given the opportunity to contest the fees. He said Barnett and West had sent service papers to addresses where he didn't live and used an email different from the one he listed in his court pleadings.

Riccio said in his court filing that he has "diligently contacted numerous attorneys across the state of Oregon" to help in his case.

 

Dispatch was notified of a mail theft, prompting a response from Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

A woman called at 9:10 a.m. to report she had photographic evidence and video surveillance of the suspect stealing her mail out of her USPS mailbox. Officers reviewed the footage and identified the suspect as Bobbi Jo Langdon.

That afternoon, officers were able to locate Langdon near the intersection of NE 7th Street and NE "B" Street. Upon contact she admitted to stealing the mail that morning. Her parole officer requested she be put on a parole violation detainer.

Langdon was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Mail Theft and the detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police were called out to a disorderly conduct complaint downtown Wednesday afternoon.

At 5:20 p.m., a report came in to dispatch regarding a man running in and out of the street around 132 SW "L" Street. He reportedly had his hands in his pants and was acting in a crude fashion.

Officers arrived and identified the suspect as Zane Hatcher. He was reportedly too impaired by stimulants to properly care for himself. His parole officer told law enforcement to put him on a detainer.

Officers took Hatcher into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners discussed the proposed property for a future shelter during this morning's Weekly Business Session. No decision has been made on the property yet. Commissioner Ron Smith believes the property's proximity to Riverside Elementary and Gladiola High School is a problem. Commissioner Chris Barnett wants to find a solution, and Commissioner Andreas Blech appreciated hearing other location suggestions during public comment. Commissioner Blech requested time to do research on a potential property proposed to him by a local land owner. The viability of said property for sheltering is unknown at this time. The board commenced the meeting with a public hearing for an ordinance amending the Josephine County Code. New language provides a process for the board to revoke OLCC land-use compatibility statements when certain standards haven't been met. A motion to approve the ordinance to go to the second reading on November 13th passed 3-0.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a suspect after a hit and run complaint Wednesday afternoon.

A caller reported their mailbox was knocked over after a woman backed up her vehicle, hit it, and then drove away.

Officers were able to track the suspect down in the 1800 block of Rogue River Highway. They contacted Tina Serpa who was stumbling and admitted to drinking alcohol.

Serpa was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Officers charged her with Hit and Run Causing Property Damage.

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police responded to the local Walmart for a shoplifting complaint Wednesday morning.

The previously trespassed suspect, Gabriel Feliciano, returned to the 135 NE Terry Lane location and attempted to deprive the store of a cart full of stolen merchandise.

Feliciano left the building out the emergency exit and began walking towards the Grocery Outlet. He was later contacted by arriving law enforcement.

Feliciano was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Criminal Trespass and Theft, as well as a Parole Violation.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two people wanted on meth possession warrants Wednesday afternoon.

At 12:15 p.m. at 134 S Redwood Highway, deputies contacted John Hruska at the backside of a building on the property. The owner of the location wanted him trespassed.

Deputies learned Hruska was wanted on a Grants Pass Police Department warrant for Meth Possession, so they took him into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail. He was also trespassed from the location for a year.

Then at 2:13 p.m. at 200 S Caves Avenue, deputies contacted and detained Sarah Jaentsch. She had a Sheriff's Office warrant for Unlawful Possession of Meth, and was found to have drug paraphernalia, which deputies seized for destruction.

Jaentsch was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on her warrant.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will appoint two Public Works Department positions at the end of their General Discussion today. After a review of the applications and the interview process, the board will appoint an Engineering, Roads, Operations, and Fleet Manager, and an Administration, Budget, and Accounting Manager for the Public Works Department. At the start of the discussion, the board will cover department invoices, as well as many Personnel Requisitions and Actions from Human Resources. To conclude the meeting, the board may consider other matters, then the meeting will adjourn. Today's General Discussion will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those wanting to attend in-person are required to comply with the clear bag policy.