Local News

A major heat wave predicted to hit southwest Oregon and northern California on Independence Day has become a certainty and it will last longer than expected. The National Weather Service has upgraded an Excessive Heat Watch to an Excessive Heat Warning that runs from 8 a.m. Thursday through 9 p.m. Monday. The Weather Service reports dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 110 to 115 degrees are expected. The warning is for Josephine, Jackson and eastern Curry counties in Oregon as well as Siskiyou County, California. This includes the entire Rogue Valley and the cities of Medford, Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Merlin and Butte Falls. Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events. Area rivers will be cold and can cause shock to swimmers. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles for any reason. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

 

Grants Pass fire officials are urging residents to use an abundance of caution in their outdoor activities with the upcoming heatwave. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning, indicating temperatures are expected to reach extreme levels in Grants Pass and surrounding valleys. Low humidity and afternoon breezes are expected through the weekend, increasing the potential for fire growth. As we approach Independence Day, Grants Pass Fire Marshal Joe Hyatt said it is crucial to exercise extreme caution when using fireworks. Legal fireworks are only allowed in the city limits from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4th, and they are not permitted in designated wildfire hazard zones, city parks and schools. Local hazard zones are located generally north of Interstate 5 and west of Highland Avenue. Hyatt said all fireworks are prohibited if the National Weather Service posts a Red Flag Warning. This would include the fireworks show at Reinhart Volunteer Park.

 

Forecasted temperatures well above 100 degrees have triggered a City of Grants Pass Severe Weather Event Declaration, which will open a public cooling shelter. The Mobile Integrative Navigation Team (MINT) plans to provide cooling services starting tomorrow at the organization's Parker Place location at 218 Redwood Highway. The Grants Pass Cooling Center will be open between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on July 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th -- Thursday through Sunday. The City of Grants Pass does not operate severe weather event shelters, but assists groups that can operate such shelters. In December 2023, the City of Grants Pass issued a standing Severe Weather Event Declaration that is automatically triggered when certain weather conditions are forecast. In this case, the declaration occurred due to forecasted high temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners may finally sell the Pipe Fork property near Williams during its weekly business session tomorrow. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider a purchase and sale agreement with The Conservation Fund for the 320-acre forested property. The Commissioners will also consider a contribution agreement covering funds from the Williams Community Forest Project for the former Josephine County timber property. Total purchase price for Pipe Fork is just over $2.3 million. The Board will open the session with the monthly recognition of employees and an Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District presentation on its agricultural water quality monitoring program. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for felony hit-and-run yesterday after he crashed into another vehicle in the southeast part of the city and fled the scene. The Police Department reports officers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle collision near the intersection of Rogue River Highway and Parkdale Drive on Monday around 12:45 p.m.. Police said the 28-year-old male driver of a Ford Explorer crashed into the back of a Dodge Caravan and drove away without providing the information required when involved in a motor vehicle accident. One of the passengers in the Dodge was hurt and was treated by medics at the scene. No one was else was injured. Officers was able to track down the suspect driver at his place of employment. He admitted to the crash and was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Hit-and-Run and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail. He was also cited for No Operator's License and No Insurance.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a California trucker for impaired driving after he crashed into another commercial vehicle on Interstate 5 in Grants Pass and caused a traffic backup late yesterday. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 55 on Monday at 5:19 p.m.. Troopers said a witness reported a white Volvo semi-truck speeding and failing to maintain its travel lane before crashing into a white Kenworth semi while trying to pass it on a curve of the freeway. Both commercial vehicles and their trailers were towed into town, but not before southbound I-5 traffic was backed up for miles. According to OSP, the driver of the Volvo semi -- identified as a 52-year-old man from Union City, California -- displayed signs of impairment and then performed poorly in field sobriety tests. He was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was more than twice the legal driving limit. The suspect driver was lodged at the Sobering Center for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. The company he drives for was alerted about the incident.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two motorists for impaired driving in less than a half-hour on Redwood Highway in the Illinois Valley last weekend. According to OSP, the first incident occurred on Sunday at 1:11 a.m. when troopers pulled over a Toyota Corolla driven by a 35-year-old Cave Junction man on US Highway 199 near milepost 27. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. He was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a positive breath sample, so he was lodged there for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. His car was parked and secured. The second incident happened 29 minutes later when troopers pulled over a Dodge Durango driven by a 25-year-old man on Highway 199 near milepost 21 just outside Selma. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for traffic violations and the driver showed signs of impairment. He performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Grants Pass Sobering Center for DUII and Reckless Driving. His vehicle was also parked and secured.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested four people wanted on outstanding warrants in Josephine County last weekend. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Saturday at 4:29 p.m. when troopers contacted a 36-year-old Medford woman walking along Redwood Highway near milepost 11. They discovered that she was wanted on an active arrest warrant for Probation Violation. She was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail. The second incident happened on Saturday at 9:34 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Toyota Tacoma occupied by a 33-year-old Grants Pass man near the corner of Merlin Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road. They said the passenger was not using a seatbelt and they learned he was wanted on a Josephine County bench warrant for failing to appear in court. He was lodged in jail. The third incident took place on Sunday at 12:56 a.m. when troopers pulled over a vehicle driven by a 56-year-old Kerby man at the intersection of US Highway 199 and Finch Road. He was discovered to be wanted on a misdemeanor warrant for 3rd-Degree Sex Abuse. He was cited to appear in court and then released. The fourth incident occurred on Sunday at 5:40 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Chevrolet pickup driven by a 59-year-old Westfir man. They said he was stopped for several traffic violations and was found to have a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail on the warrant as well as multiple traffic violations. His truck, animals and belongings were left with his passenger at his request.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for unlawfully entering a parked vehicle in the northwest part of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the car-clouting incident in the 1800-block of NW Highland Avenue on Monday at about 4 a.m.. Police said the 44-year-old male subject opened the passenger door to an unlocked Dodge Caravan, looking for a cigarette lighter and other valuables. The auto alarm sounded and he attempted to flee, but was observed by the homeowner. Officers located the subject at the Highland Market and he eventually admitted his involvement in the criminal offense. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and the resulting Parole Violation stemming from past convictions for Burglary and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. Jail records show the man has been arrested 10 times for Parole and Probation violations since July 15th of last year.