Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for two felony crimes after he broke a garage door to gain entry to a residence near Baker Park. According to the Police Department, officers eventually arrested 22-year-old Tevon James McCornack at the corner of East Park Street and Clara Avenue on Monday afternoon. Police said they responded to a burglar alarm in the 1,000-block of East Park Street during the noon hour and found obvious signs of forced entry. McCornack was caught on video walking around the gated property, but he wasn't there when they arrived on scene. GPPD requested assistance from the Oregon State Police and a Josephine County Marine Deputy in order to locate the suspect. Officers shut down traffic on East Park Street and law enforcement units were posted on both sides of the river. A K-9 unit was deployed to search the home, but the suspect was not found. More than two hours later, police detained McCornack and he admitted to breaking the garage door to gain entry. He also admitted to opening the inside door to gain entry into the residence, but he fled the scene when the alarm was triggered. McCornack was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Burglary and Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police jailed a Selma man on both old and new charges after he tried to elude them on Redwood Highway in southwest Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers arrested 44-year-old Matthew Albert Rosenberry near the intersection of US Highway 199 and Dowell Road on Saturday night. Troopers said they initiated a traffic stop on a Toyota pickup driven by Rosenberry for a traffic violation, but he fled and no pursuit was initiated. They located the vehicle parked nearby a short time later and attempted to make contact. According to OSP, Rosenberry tried to flee again resulting in a use-of-force incident involving multiple Taser deployments before the suspect was subdued. He was found to be wanted on a local felony warrant for Felony Parole Violation. Rosenberry was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges including two counts of Felony Attempt to Elude Police and single counts of Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest and Reckless Endangering.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested three men associated with stealing equipment from a residence in Selma last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a burglary incident in the 200-block of Warren Road on Sunday night. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report that he was holding three men at gunpoint whom he caught stealing a chainsaw and generators from his property. A fourth suspect ran off into the woods and deputies were unable to find him. According to the report, 48-year-old Darren Allen Sanchez and 44-year-old Cody Burton Schatz were both charged with two felony counts of 1st-Degree Burglary and one felony count of 1st-Degree Theft. Both were transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail. Another man -- 44-year-old Michael Ray Allee -- was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession. He was lodged in jail on $10,000 bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant plus theft and drug charges after he was caught shoplifting at Grange Co-op this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the theft complaint at the store on West Schutzwohl Lane at Dowell Road late Monday afternoon. Police said they were contacted by a Grange Co-op employee watching the local store from a remote location via video surveillance. The worker reported that a man and woman arrived at the store in a black Volkswagen, and that the man entered the store, attempted to steal merchandise and was detained by loss prevention. The woman fled in the car when she saw the man in custody. Officers arrived on scene and contacted 36-year-old Kevin Mathew Paschal who was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 4th-Degree Assault. He was also found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. Paschal was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of 2nd-Degree Theft and Meth Possession. The investigation was continuing to determine the identity of his female companion.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was investigating a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident that occurred yesterday in Kerby. On Tuesday at 3:53 p.m., the Sheriff's Office, Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision in the 24,300-block of Redwood Highway. Deputies said there were no injuries, but one of the drivers fled the scene. Jerry's Towing removed the remaining vehicle. The Sheriff's Office was looking into the identity of the hit-and-run driver.

 

The Rogue River City Council will address some important topics during a special workshop session tomorrow morning. Following staff reports from the Police Chief, Public Works Director and City Administrator, the City Council will view and discuss fees related to police department funding. The Council will review and discuss a draft open burning code amendment and consider Food & Friends' annual request for funding. The panel will also consider the Annual Arbor Day Proclamation. Thursday's workshop starts at 10 a.m. at Rogue River City Hall, 133 Broadway Street.

 

US Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have introduced the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act, legislation to expand the recreation area by 58,000 acres into southwest Oregon. Merkley and Wyden said this legislation is critical to protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local fishing and recreation industries that many Oregonians rely on. The bill is co-sponsored by two California Senators. In 1990, Congress enacted legislation to establish the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) to protect the watershed, but the boundary of the NRA stopped at the Oregon border, leaving the North Fork of the Smith River and its tributaries unprotected. The Smith River is home to a rich variety of plants and wildlife. The Smith River NRA's scenic beauty, world-class fisheries and exceptional water quality attract adventurers who partake in Oregon's many recreational opportunities. The NRA expansion would protect 74 miles of scenic rivers, creeks and streams and permanently withdraw the land from new mining claims. Additionally, the legislation would task the US Forest Service with the preparation of an updated recreation plan identifying specific plans for the entire NRA.

 

Scammers posing as DMV and ODOT are texting cell phones about unpaid toll fees. The messages vary, but essentially claim you have a past due toll balance that must be paid immediately to avoid DMV fines or having your license suspended. DMV and ODOT officials said these are fake messages and phishing scams trying to get payment information from unsuspecting Oregonians. ODOT does not have a toll program. DMV does send text messages for actions initiated by the customer, but the messages never include links to verify personal information. When a customer establishes an DMV2U account, a security code may be sent by text to establish verification. Customers may also receive a DMV appointment reminder or cancellation notice by text. DMV recommends you immediately delete the text message and block the number. Clicking on a suspicious text message or payment link will take you to a website where you are at risk of getting your personal and financial information stolen. If you click a link or provide your personal information, secure your information, secure your financial accounts and dispute any unfamiliar charges.

 

Mount Ashland has announced an extension of its season with two bonus weekends in April, providing guests with additional opportunities to enjoy the mountain. Originally scheduled to close on April 13th, the local ski area will now remain open for four extra days -- April 19th & 20th and April 26th & 27th. This will allow visitors to take advantage of excellent spring conditions after an exceptional snow season. The announcement comes after an incredible season of snowfall totaling 296 inches with still 20 days left of operations as the ski area is on track to set an attendance record. The Mount Ashland Ski Area team is confident that the mountain will continue to have considerable snow coverage through the end of April. The ski area opened early on December 6th and has already been open for skiing and snowboarding for 71 days. The addition of two bonus weekends will mark the second-longest season for the ski area in 30 years.