KRRM - Local News

GPCC Passes Ordinance Amending City’s Camping Codes & Identifying 4 Camping locations

The Grants Pass City Council took steps Wednesday night during their regular Business session to move the homeless out of city parks and onto four designated city owned locations. The Council unanimously repealed parts of the Municipal code amended others dealing with camping in parks, criminal trespass on city property, prohibited camping, removal of campsites on public property and other sections pertaining to the unhoused population camping in city parks. No person may occupy a campsite consistent with the regulations in the city code in conjunction with Oregon State Statutes.The council then passed a resolution adopting allowable locations for camping on public property. The resolution identifying allowable locations for camping was passed. The four sites that were approved Riverside Park West, the southeast parcel, East Park Street property behind the Fire Station and the vacant lot at Sixth and A Street. Initially five sites were identified that included the Police expansion lot and the grass area at the Hillcrest Fire station. The Hillside Fire station area was determined to have important training aspects, so it was eliminated. The Sixth and A Street location is temporary pending the demolition of a building on the lot next to the Police expansion lot. Upon the completion of the demolition that location would replace the Sixth and A location. The City’s insurance will cover the camping locations at a premium of $5,000 annually per site. The addition of porta-Pottys, hand washing stations, dumpsters, fencing and two security trailer cameras bring the annual cost to $250,698.

Posted on 8/7/24 8:29PM by Chuck Benson

BCC Sends Referral of Levy Supporting Veterans Services to November Ballot

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning was convinced by a packed house of military veterans and their supporters to refer a ballot measure that would fund the Veterans Services Office to the November General Election. After nearly 90 minutes of public testimony, the Board voted 2-0 to approve a resolution to refer a five-year local option tax to voters on November 5th. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger was absent. If approved, property owners will pay 5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value each year -- or $15 annually for a property valued at $300,000. Numerous local veterans testified in support of moving the levy forward as opposed to placing an advisory question on the ballot and then postponing the levy until next May. Veterans Services Director Lisa Pickard said the funding will help stabilize the approximately 9,000 military veterans in Josephine County and remove the need to take money from the general fund that could be better spent on law enforcement. In other business, the Board approved an order that repeals policy and procedures for Commissioner liaisons for individual departments and advisory boards. Legal Counsel Stephanie Nutall said some department heads expressed concern about a lower level of specialized knowledge of specific departments. However, both Commissioners John West and Andreas Blech said the policy will likely be rewritten and revised in the near future. The Commissioners tabled another order dealing with the allocation of general fund dollars to county departments until next week. The Board also approved an order authorizing a Sheriff's Sale of county-owned properties for September 10th. Property Manager Helene Lulich said 11 properties that did not sell in the July sale can be acquired through sealed bids.

Posted on 8/7/24 12:42PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Incarcerated Man for Allegedly Beating Up Girlfriend at NE City Home

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for allegedly beating up his girlfriend at a home in the northeast part of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance on NE Foothill Boulevard on Tuesday around 9 a.m.. Police said a 31-year-old male subject and his girlfriend got into a physical fight in the early morning hours when he reportedly shoulder-checked the woman, choked her and threw her around. The frightened victim fled to her mother's residence and called 9-1-1. The victim was not seriously injured and declined medical attention. Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect and placed him into custody based on the victim's statements and visible injuries. The victim refused services from the Women's Crisis Support Team. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Domestic 4th-Degree Assault and Felony Domestic Strangulation. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 8/7/24 12:40PM by Sam Marsh

OSP Snared Central Point Woman for Felony Drug Crime after Highway 199 Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a Central Point woman for a felony-level drug crime last night following a Redwood Highway traffic stop near Selma. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Toyota Corolla driven by the 31-year-old woman near milepost 18 of US Highway 199 on Tuesday shortly after 10 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the car for traffic violations and the woman admitted to driving with a suspended license and no insurance. They said a plastic bag with a white crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine was clearly visible in an outside pocket of the driver's purse. She admitted the substance was meth. According to OSP, the substance was seized, tested, weighed and submitted to the crime lab which determined it was a criminal amount of narcotics. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was being held without bail and her car was impounded for the moving violations.

Posted on 8/7/24 12:39PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Parole Violation after He Fled Treatment Center

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating terms of his post-prison supervision after he left a mental health/drug treatment center without permission. According to the Police Department, officers located the 46-year-old male subject and placed him into custody at a market on Willow Lane near Redwood Highway on Tuesday at 7:17 a.m.. Police said the subject had absconded from Options Crisis Resolution Center on SW Ramsey Avenue the night before and they were notified early yesterday. An employee spotted the man in the Redwood area on his way to work and called it in. The suspect's corrections officer was notified and requested his client be arrested. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation and was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has been arrested four times for violating his parole since February of this year.

Posted on 8/7/24 12:37PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Man on Felony Warrant while Investigating Trespass Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant while investigating a trespassing complaint yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a trespass call on railroad property in the city on Tuesday at 12:47 p.m.. Police said a 38-year-old male subject was one of three men spotted by a passing motorist. They said the men had established an encampment next to the railroad tracks. Upon contact, officers determined the male subject was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for Attempt to Elude Police. He was immediately placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping. The two other men were trespassed from the railroad property, told to gather up their belongings and leave.

Posted on 8/7/24 12:36PM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Evicted 16 Campers for City Park Ordinance Violations on Tuesday

Grants Pass Police evicted a total of 16 campers for ordinance violations in city parks during patrol checks on Tuesday. At Fruitdale Park, a man was cited for Fentanyl Possession, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Open Space and Illegal Camping, two men were cited for Illegal Camping and Scattering Rubbish, and a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Illegal Camping. All six subjects were trespassed for 30 days. At Debo Park, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Open Space and Scattering Rubbish. Both were issued 30-day exclusions. At Tussing Park, a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space and a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Scattering Rubbish. Both were trespassed for 30 days. At Morrison Centennial Park, a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Staking a Tent, a woman was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Inoperable Vehicle, a man was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Buffer Zone Violation, a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Buffer Zone Violation, and a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space. All five subjects were issued 30-day exclusions. At Riverside Park, a man was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Nuisance Dog. He and his dog were trespassed for 30 days.

Posted on 8/7/24 12:34PM by Sam Marsh

Two Arrested after Suspected BHO Lab Explosion Destroys Glendale Building

Two men were in custody and authorities were looking for two more people after a suspected butane honey oil (BHO) lab explosion destroyed a building in the Glendale area last weekend. On Saturday at about 9 p.m., detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) investigated a suspicious structure fire that had occurred earlier in the day in the 1400-block of Tunnel Road. The structure fire was initially reported to 9-1-1 at 4:15 p.m. Saturday at which time Glendale Fire responded and prevented the fire from spreading. The 1,500-square-foot general purpose building was a total loss. Nearby residences and the surrounding forest were under threat during the height of the incident. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office also responded and notified DINT that the fire was likely caused by an illegal BHO lab. Detectives obtained a search warrant and found evidence indicating this was a suspected marijuana extraction lab and production facility. Two men -- 38-year-old Christopher Drezek of Glendale and 35-year-old Kendall Jorgensen of Ashland -- were uninjured in the explosion. Two persons of interest fled the scene prior to the arrival of first responders. There were no permits in place allowing the location to be a marijuana production facility of any kind. DINT is actively seeking the whereabouts of the two persons who fled the scene. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.

Posted on 8/7/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

IMET Made Big Bust When Detectives Raided Illegal Pot Grow in Sams Valley

The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of Jackson County made a big bust when it raided an illegal cannabis growing operation in the Sams Valley area late last week. Last Friday morning, IMET detectives served a search warrant in the 5900-block of Highway 234. They were assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police. Jackson County Fire District #3 had responded to the same property on April 16th for three large piles of prohibited materials set on fire. During execution of the warrant, approximately 39,000 illegal marijuana plants, $3,000 in cash and two firearms were seized. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling or processing at this location. Seven people were detained with charges referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Jackson County Code Enforcement also responded to the scene and issued a total of $64,000 in fines to the landowner and a known responsible party. Fines were for violations related to solid waste, non-permitted construction of a large pole barn, non-permitted electrical installations and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production. The Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section has issued a Notice of Violation to the responsible party for the unauthorized appropriation of water from Snider Creek. This type of water violation is subject to both criminal and civil penalties. An estimated 1.5 million gallons of water was saved by stopping its use.

Posted on 8/7/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man on State Warrant after His Release from Hospital

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant this week after he was released from Three Rivers Medical Center. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted that the 41-year-old male subject was being released from the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Monday afternoon. Police said the man had been admitted to the hospital for ongoing medical issues. They said he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Felony Assault. Officers responded, placed the suspect into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 8/7/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

Authorities Seek Person Who Started Spot Fire at State Park South of CJ

Authorities were looking for a person who started a small fire at Illinois River Forks State Park this week. On Monday evening, the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a reported grass fire at the state park in the 26,900-block of Redwood Highway just south of Cave Junction. IVFD officials said arriving units found a small spot fire that was quickly put out. Once the fire was completely out, firefighters searched the park for the person responsible for starting the fire without success. Anyone with information on the fire is encouraged to call IVFD at (541)-592-2225.

Posted on 8/7/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh

BCC to Consider Referring Veterans Services Levy to November 5th Ballot

The Josephine County Commissioners will consider referring to voters a measure for a five-year local option tax to pay for veteran services during its weekly business session this morning. If approved by the Board, the measure would appear on the November 5th General Election ballot. If approved by voters, it would levy 5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value or $15 annually for a property valued at $300,000. Also on the agenda is a potential advisory question asking voters whether veterans service office operations should be funded by a property tax. In other business, the Board will consider two orders involving administrative policies for the purpose of conducting daily business. One order would set forth policy and procedures regarding the allocation of general fund dollars for county departments. The other would establish policy and procedures regarding the role, purpose and authority of Commissioner Liaisons to department and advisory boards. The Commission is also expected to approve an order authorizing the future sale of county-owned real properties by the Sheriff. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

Posted on 8/7/24 6:03AM by Sam Marsh