KRRM - Local News

GP City Council to Implement Schedule to Move Homeless Out of All Parks This Week

The Grants Pass City Council has decided to move the unhoused population out of all city parks starting this week. During its Monday workshop session, the City Council adopted an implementation schedule that will move all homeless encampments out of all city parks and to two sites near the new Water Treatment Plant and the empty lot at 6th and A streets. A resolution will be on the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. The 6th and A site will be temporary as it eventually will be moved to a lot next to the Grants Pass Police Station off NE 7th Street. A building on the lot must still be demolished, but it should be ready for occupancy in early October. The general consensus of the Council was to remove campsites from all city parks especially those next to schools as classes begin next week. Those parks include Fruitdale, Eckstein and Gilbert Creek. Other sites still under consideration include the southwest corner of Riverside Park away from the Rogue River, 850 East Park Street behind the Parkway Fire Station, and lots on SE I Street and NW Midland Avenue. The Council is still deciding how many sites it will open for camping, but there will be at least two available. City Manager Aaron Cubic said there is no legal requirement for Grants Pass to provide services at the designated campsites, but there will be ADA-compliant porta-potties, handwashing stations and garbage service placed at the new sites.

Posted on 8/20/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

Majority of GP City Council Now Favors Saving Reed Building at Historic Riverside Park

One year ago, the Grants Pass City Council signaled its intention to demolish the Reed Building at Riverside Park. On Monday, the City Council decided the old caretaker's cottage might be worth saving after all. During its weekly workshop yesterday, the Council heard from Site Consultant George Kramer and Historical Buildings & Sites Commission (HBSC) Chairman Ward Warren. The HBSC made a motion in July 2023 to preserve and rehabilitate the 1920s structure located along East Park Street in the historic landmark park. Kramer was hired by the City to look at the building and decide whether it was worth saving. He said it is in remarkable condition considering the lack of attention and maintenance it has seen over the years. He added that it's a small building and it would not be complicated to fix it up, estimating the cost to be about $235,000. In moving forward, Kramer said the most important consideration should be a determination of possible future uses for the building. He suggested that asbestos abatement and cleaning the roof should be done as soon as possible before winter weather sets in. Warren said potential future uses for the Reed Building could include a public safety substation, historical or cultural museum, or coffee shop or small cafe.

Posted on 8/20/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

ODF Southwest Reduces Local Fire Danger and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels

Due to recent rains and cooler weather, the Oregon Department of Forestry has reduced the fire danger from "extreme" to "high" in its Southwest District. As of today, the fire danger level in Josephine and Jackson counties is "high" and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level has been lowered to "2." This affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and BLM lands in the two-county area. The primary difference between the former regulations and the new decrease to "high" fire danger affects the public use of power-driven equipment such as chainsaws, mowers, weed-eaters and more. The use of power-driven machinery, the grinding, cutting and welding of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment such as wood splitters and generators is now allowed until 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.. All other fire prevention regulations remain in effect including no outdoor debris burning, no fireworks on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected land or on any BLM lands, no exploding targets and tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base. For more information on current fire season restrictions, visit "swofire.com."

Posted on 8/20/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh

Talent Woman Killed in Multi-Vehicle Collision on NB Interstate 5 near Gold Hill

A Talent woman was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 5 near Gold Hill last weekend. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the three-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 38 on Saturday at about 10 a.m.. Troopers said a preliminary investigation indicated a Toyota Corolla driven by 73-year-old Susan Dale O'Connell of Talent was traveling in the slow lane of the freeway when it abruptly slowed and turned left in front of a Ford F-350 pickup traveling in the fast lane. According to OSP, the driver of the Ford -- 49-year-old Jeffrey Scott Trouslot of Klamath Falls -- was unable to avoid the collision and struck the driver-side door of the Toyota. As a result of the impact, the front passenger tire of the Ford came loose and rolled northbound on I-5 before striking a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 44-year-old Sergio Cervantes Valencia of Turlock, California, on the driver-side. Susan O'Connell was declared deceased at the scene. No one else was injured. Jackson County Fire District #3, Mercy Flights and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted OSP at the fatal crash scene.

Posted on 8/19/24 11:44AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared Statewide Fugitive after Responding to City Park Disturbance

Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman wanted on a statewide felony warrant after responding to a weekend disturbance in a city park. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 47-year-old female subject at Westholm Park on Saturday shortly before the noon hour. Police said multiple neighbors to the park on SW Wildwood Avenue called 9-1-1 to report people yelling at each other for more than 30 minutes. The callers said the subjects were near the basketball courts and a dog could be heard barking in the background. People were yelling at woman who kept trying to sing to them. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the female singer whom they identified as "Rose Marie McLaughlin." They discovered that she was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a conviction for a weapon offense. McLaughlin is well-known to law enforcement as a frequent evictee from parks for violating city ordinances. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show McLaughlin has been arrested nine times for violating her parole since August 2023.

Posted on 8/19/24 10:18AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Trespassing at Sister's Residence in Redwood Area

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trespassing at his sister's residence in the Redwood area of the city late last week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call at a home in the 1300-block of Raydean Drive on Friday afternoon. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report her brother had been removed from her property, but he was inside her garage and refused to leave. She advised her sibling was not welcome at her home because he previously had stolen money out her and her mother's wallets. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the 22-year-old man in his sister's garage. He had been warned for trespassing by the same officers earlier in the day. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass.

Posted on 8/19/24 10:17AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Teenager Twice for Committing Crimes at Parkway Businesses

Grants Pass Police arrested a young man twice over the weekend for committing crimes at businesses near the Parkway. The Police Department reports officers first responded to an incident involving the 19-year-old man at both Walmart and Big 5 Sporting Goods on Saturday morning. Police said the male subject was removed from Walmart and headed toward Big 5 where he was causing a disruption to customers. He was warned for trespassing and then walked to the end of the parking lot where he laid down in the right of way, causing people to flag officers down due to his unusual behavior. He was placed into custody after he walked into traffic on NE Agness Avenue, forcing vehicles to stop to avoid hitting him. He was lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct. Early Sunday morning, employees at the Taco Bell on NE Terry Lane reported a young man had returned and stole donuts. The same subject had been kicked out the night before for stealing donuts and a cup of coffee. Officers responded and placed the young man into custody. He was lodged in jail for 3rd-Degree Theft and was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from Walmart, Big 5 and Taco Bell.

Posted on 8/19/24 10:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Woman for Stealing Coffee from WinCo Foods Supermarket

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for stealing coffee from a supermarket on the east side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Saturday around 3:45 p.m.. Police said a 29-year-old woman intentionally used a popcorn code when ringing up coffee, which deprived WinCo of just over $9 in goods. They said she admitted that she was trying to save money. WinCo managers said they believe this was not the first time the woman has stolen from them and they will be gathering evidence to support that claim. She was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. She was also trespassed from WinCo.

Posted on 8/19/24 10:13AM by Sam Marsh

Motorcyclist Hurt after Riverbanks Road Crash during Heavy Weekend Rains

A motorcyclist was injured when he crashed his bike on Riverbanks Road during a heavy weekend downpour. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the single-vehicle wreck near milepost 20 of State Route 260 on Saturday at 11:48 a.m.. Troopers said the 38-year-old male rider of a Honda motorcycle went off the roadway and crashed. They said the rider was transported by ground ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with a leg fracture. The damaged motorcycle was hauled away by Three Boys Towing.

Posted on 8/19/24 10:12AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Motorist for DUII after He Crashed into Brick Wall in North GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving after he crashed his vehicle above Interstate 5 in north Grants Pass. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle wreck at the corner of NW Scenic Drive and Granite Hill Road on Friday at 9:45 p.m.. Deputies said a female witness reported the male driver of a Kia Soul was unable to stop at the corner and hit a brick wall. The caller said the driver was visibly intoxicated when he told her he was okay but his vehicle was stuck on a barrier. Upon arrival, deputies said the 39-year-old motorist showed signs of impairment. A search warrant was obtained and he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented his impairment. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His badly damaged car was towed to the impound yard.

Posted on 8/19/24 10:11AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Causing Disturbances at Downtown Businesses

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for causing multiple disturbances in the downtown area late last week. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 39-year-old male subject near the Downtown Welcome Center at the corner of 6th and G streets on Friday morning. Police said the man they identified as "Eric Younger" was called in for walking up and down 6th Street yelling and banging on business windows, causing public alarm. They said he then took out a multi-tool knife and used it to bang on a vehicle window, asking the driver what he would do if he slashed his tires. Younger was detained by officers and admitted that he made the statement. He was later identified as the subject who unlawfully entered Gates Home Furnishings late Thursday night. He was immediately placed into custody. Younger was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a felony charge of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and misdemeanor charges of Menacing and Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from Gates.

Posted on 8/19/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Threatening Safeway Worker & Brandishing Knife

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for threatening a supermarket employee and stabbing vehicles with a knife in the downtown area late last week. According to the Police Department, officers arrested the 41-year-old male subject for reported incidents near the Safeway on SE 7th Street on Friday afternoon. Police said Safeway workers flagged them down and pointed out the subject who was walking away. They said they called out to the man they identified as "Rell Baty" and advised him he was not free to leave, but the man gave officers the middle finger and continued to walk northbound on 7th Street. Baty was eventually detained at the point of a Taser. An investigation revealed that Safeway workers were escorting him outside for being disorderly when he drew a knife and made a stabbing gesture toward at least one employee. The worker was able to accurately describe a knife in the subject's possession. Baty was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing. He was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from Safeway.

Posted on 8/19/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh