Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash -05/20/25

RELEASE DATE:  05/20/2025

INCIDENT NUMBER:  25-11023

INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 05/18/2025 @ 8:18pm

REPORTING DEPUTY:  Sgt. Stanton

INCIDENT TYPE:  Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

DECEASED: Myrtle Grace Thogmartin, 22 years old

On May 18^th, 2025 at 8:18pm, 9-1-1 was notified of a motor vehicle crash on Rockydale Road near Idlewild Drive in Cave Junction.

Illinois Valley Fire and AMR arrived to find a vehicle in the ditch and the driver ejected.  The driver was deceased and the only occupant in the vehicle.

The initial investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling towards US Highway 199 on Rockydale Road.  For an unknown reason the vehicle left the roadway and struck a power pole with enough force to shear the pole in half.

Next of kin has been notified. 

Boatnik River Closure -05/16/25

RELEASE DATE: May 16th, 2025

TO: Waterway Users

FROM: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol

DATES:  May 23 – 26, 2025

RE: Water use regulations and race event schedule during Boatnik

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

During the Boatnik Races, the Rogue River will be closed in designated areas and during designated times (refer to the schedule below).  All spectators will remain off the water until the races are over.  All spectators will remain 50 feet from the waterway at all times.

Movement on the water is restricted to Law Enforcement, Rescue Personnel  and Authorized Race Officials during the closures.  Private boats are not allowed to assist with crash or rescue operations for safety purposes.

Boats can be anchored on the shoreline if it is deemed safe by the Race Official and Law Enforcement.  All users shall be OFF the water and in an approved area 1 hour prior to the start of the race.  Any unauthorized boats on the water during the closure may be cited for Reckless and Unsafe Operation (ORS 830.315 & 305) and are subject to a $440 fine.  Law Enforcement will be patrolling the waterways during race events.

RIVER CLOSURES:

CLOSED Friday, May 23, 2025 6:00pm – 10:15pm from Baker Park to Sixth Street Bridge

CLOSED Saturday, May 24, 2025 11:00am – 8:00pm from Baker Park to Sixth Street Bridge

CLOSED Sunday, May 25, 2025 10:00am – 10:15pm from Baker Park to Sixth Street Bridge

CLOSED Monday, May 26, 2025 9:00am – 12:00pm Baker Park to Sixth Street Bridge and 12:00pm – 3:00pm from Baker Park to Robertson Bridge

UPDATE: LOCATED -- Missing Person : Wade, Martha (Photo) -05/15/25

UPDATE: Martha has been located safely. 

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Date of Report: May 9, 2025
Name: Martha Christine Wade

Age: 41

Sex: Female
Race: Caucasian
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 145
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Hazel

Information: Martha's family has not heard from her since October 2024. That contact was on the phone, but they did not know where she was. For the past year, Martha was known to be living in the transient camps and parks in Grants Pass.  She was last contact in person by Grants Pass Police on July 25, 2024.  Martha does not have a vehicle or known associates. The photo provided is from 2021. Martha has a scar on her neck and a ladybug tattoo on her right foot. 

If you have any information about Martha's whereabouts, please call the Josephine Couny Sheriff's Office or local Law Enforcement. 

Case: 25-10327

Phone: 541-474-5123

JMET Search Warrant - Merlin Avenue (Date Correction) (Photo) -05/08/25

RELEASE DATE:  May 8, 2025

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: May 5, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

CHARGES: 1- Arson Incident to the Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance

                    2- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    3- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

                    4- Unlawful Appropriation of Water

                    5- Theft

                    6- Criminal Mischief

DETAILS: On May 5, 2025, Rural Metro firefighters responded to a fire in an industrial building in the 300 block of Merlin Avenue. When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered the commercial building was being used for an indoor marijuana grow. After the fire was extinguished, JMET arrived on scene and executed a search warrant for the premises.

During the execution of the warrant, over 1,300 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed while other evidence was found and photographed on scene. Additionally, State Fire Marshals were called to investigate the exact origin and cause of the fire. It was determined the fire was caused by manipulation of the electrical service, bypassing the electrical meter to supply power to the grow illegally.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing. We urge anyone with information regarding this case to contact the JMET tip line at 541-474-5252.

UPDATE: Missing: Hall, Gregory (Photo) -05/07/25

UPDATE: 5/7/25 1:30pm - Gregory has been located safely.

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Original Information:

Missing Person: Gregory A. Hall

Age: 55

Sex: Male

Race: White

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 209

Hair: White/Blonde

Eyes: Blue

Case: 25-10133

Information: Gregory was last seen leaving his residence on Cedar Ridge Drive, Cave Junction, on May 6, 2025 around 10:30am.  He's driving a  white KIA Rio, OR license plate 299NJF. He was last seen wearing white floral swim shorts, a blue shirt, and brown shoes and left with his small Australian Terrier dog. Gregory is currently believed to be in the Illinois Valley area and frequents surrounding woods and rivers.  Search and Rescue has been activated to assist in the search. 

Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with any information at 541-474-5123.

Arrest Made For Attempted Assault I (Photo) -04/30/25

RELEASE DATE: 04/30/2025                        

INCIDENT:  Attempted Assault I

INCIDENT NUMBER:  25-9601

INCIDENT DATE:  04/29/2025     

REPORTING DEPUTY:  Sergeant Craig Ricker           

ARRESTEE:  Blaine Case, 31

CHARGES:  Attempted Assault in the First Degree (x2)

                     Unlawful Use of a Weapon (firearm)

                     Felon in Possession of Firearm

                     Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle

DETAILS: On Tuesday 04/29/2025 at approximately 3:15pm, Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 5200 block of Dick George Road, Cave Junction, for a report of shots being fired at the location.

During the investigation it was reported that the subject, Blaine Case, arrived at the property and began firing multiple rounds from a handgun toward two individuals.  The two victims were fortunate and were not struck by gunfire, however, four bullet holes were observed in the building near where they were standing. After firing the rounds, the victims reported Case fled the scene and deputies began searching the surrounding area. During the search for Case, a second call came in from a neighboring resident reporting his ATV had just been stolen by an unknown male subject. 

Information that Case was possibly residing on Holland Loop Road, Cave Junction, lead Deputies, with the assistance of Oregon State Police, to that location.  When Deputies arrived, they observed the stolen ATV on the property.  After a short standoff, Case exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident and the stolen ATV was returned to the owner.

Blaine Case was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the charges listed above.

No further information will be released at this time.

K9 Yana Apprehends Felony Warrant Subject (Photo) -04/28/25

RELEASE DATE: April 28^th, 2025

INCIDENT: Subject with Felony Warrant Apprehended by Sheriff K-9

INCIDENT DATE: April 26^th, 2025, at 7:24 PM

INCIDENT CASE NUMBER: 25-9375

REPORTING DEPUTY: Lieutenant Jim Geiger

ARRESTED: Jack Conklin  48-years-old

CHARGES: Felony Elude

                    Misdemeanor Elude

                    Reckless Driving

                    Parole Board Warrant for:

                    Attempted Murder, Kidnapping I, Assault II and Coercion                                                                          

DETAILS: On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at approximately 7:24 pm, a Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a white van near Fish Hatchery Road and Colin Road. The driver failed to yield, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

The suspect fled eastbound on Fish Hatchery Road before continuing onto Cheney Creek Road. During the pursuit, dispatch advised that the registered owner of the vehicle was listed as 48 year-old Jack Conklin. Further information revealed that Conklin had an active felony warrant issued by the Oregon Parole Board, with underlying charges including Attempted Murder, Assault II x 3, Coercion and Kidnapping.

Approximately four miles up the dirt portion of Cheney Creek Road, the suspect came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the roadway and fled on foot. K-9 Yana was deployed and successfully apprehended the suspect down a steep embankment. The suspect was identified as Jack Conklin.

Conklin was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of a dog bite sustained during his apprehension. After receiving medical clearance, he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Felony Elude, Misdemeanor Elude, Reckless Driving, and for his outstanding Felony Warrant.

RUNAWAY : Anno, Caleb (Photo) -04/25/25

RUNAWAY - ATTEMPT TO LOCATE

NAME: Caleb Anno

AGE: 15

SEX: Male

RACE: White

HEIGHT: 5'7"

WEIGHT: 115

HAIR: Brown

EYES: Blue

INFORMATION: The evening of April 24, 2025, we received a report of a runaway, Caleb Anno. It is believed that he left his residence in the Monument Drive area with friends on April 23rd. He was last seen wearing a red shirt and black pants. He is known to frequent parks in the Grants Pass area.

Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office with any information.

Please reference case #25-9141

Office: 541-474-5123

SAR RESCUE ON RAINIE FALLS TRAIL (Photo) -04/24/25

RELEASE DATE: April 24,2025
INCIDENT: SAR Rescue
INCIDENT DATE: April 23, 2025
REPORTING DEPUTY: Deputy Valdez, SAR Coordinator

DETAILS: On April 23, 2025, shortly after 1:00pm, Josephine County Search and Rescue responded to a report of an injured hiker on the Rainie Falls Trail. The individual reportedly had injuries to both ankles and was unable to hike out. Two Search and Rescue ground teams were deployed, along with a wheeled litter carrier, to reach the hiker approximately two miles into the trail. Upon locating the subject, SAR personnel assessed the injuries and safely prepared the hiker for evacuation.The subject was then transported out of the area to safety using the litter.