For the first time in a while, Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel says he thinks that law enforcement funding in the county is on solid footing. With an increase in nearly $3 million in general fund support in the county’s 2026-27 fiscal budget, which commissioners approved last week, Daniel is[Read More...] The post Josephine County Sheriff says restoration of funding is ‘huge turning point’ appeared first on Illinois Valley News.

(Editor’s note: Factual information for ‘Tales’ is provided by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges can be amended or dismissed.) Friday, June 5 Scott Cook was arrested at 390 N. Sawyer Ave. on a felony warrant for[Read More...] The post Tales from the Rural Patrol: June 2026 appeared first on Illinois Valley News.

POLICE LOG Baker City Police Arrests, citations FAILURE TO APPEAR (Josephine County Circuit Court warrant), FAILURE TO APPEAR (Douglas County Circuit Court warrant), THIRD-DEGREE THEFT: James David Michael, 39, Baker […]

A woman is dead and man is in jail after a shooting in the area of Upper Deer Creek Road on Saturday. According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s office, a caller to 911 on Saturday, June 27, reported that a woman had sustained a gunshot wound in the area of[Read More...] The post Fatal shooting in Deer Creek area leads to arrest appeared first on Illinois Valley News.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a drought declaration for Josephine County on Monday, June 22, more than a month after the county requested it and two months after Jackson County received a similar designation. The move allows water rights holders to use emergency tools and expedited review to access water.[Read More...] The post Governor declares drought emergency in Josephine County appeared first on Illinois Valley News.

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Cave Junction, Josephine County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for fiscal year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 will be held at City Hall, 222 W. Lister Street, Cave Junction, Oregon.  The meeting will take place[Read More...] The post Meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Cave Junction appeared first on Illinois Valley News.

Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel says that the automated license plate reader cameras along Highway 199 in the Illinois Valley are exclusively for use by the local sheriff’s office, despite rumors that have recently been circulating on social media to the contrary. Daniel said that the cameras, commonly known as[Read More...] The post Sheriff says data from Flock cameras is not shared appeared first on Illinois Valley News.

The sound of thundering hooves returns to Southern Oregon this weekend as the 2026 racing season begins at Grants Pass Downs. The popular Racing on the Rogue meet opens Saturday, June 20, at the Josephine County Fairgrounds, kicking off a three-weekend, seven-day season of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Presented[Read More...] The post Grants Pass Downs Opens Racing Season appeared first on Rogue River Press.

About a dozen volunteers, along with workers from Josephine County Parks, gathered at Lake Selmac on Tuesday, June 16, to remove invasive Eurasian milfoil from the lake. They used large, sturdy rakes and rope to collect the plants by hand, from boat and from land, depositing massive, slimy clumps of[Read More...] The post Volunteers help clean up weeds at Lake Selmac boat ramp appeared first on Illinois Valley News.