Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man wanted on a local felony warrant during a weekend patrol check in Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies spotted the 45-year-old male subject sitting in front of Priority Fitness in Cave Junction on Saturday at 12:50 p.m.. Deputies said they knew the man was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for Felony Probation Violation related to an original charge of 1st-Degree Arson. He was detained until dispatch confirmed the warrant. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on $250,000 bail. He was also trespassed from the fitness center.

 

A weekend road rage incident in south Grants Pass landed a motorist behind bars. Grants Pass Police responded to the traffic complaint that occurred near the corner of Williams Highway and West Harbeck Road on Friday at about 8:55 p.m.. Police said multiple residents called in the incident involving a blue Toyota pickup which appeared to be rear-ending another vehicle and swerving in his lane. One witness told dispatchers that the driver of the truck drove in the oncoming lane on West Harbeck while yelling at the vehicle in front of him and endangering other drivers. According to the report, witnesses maintained contact with the suspect vehicle and followed it to McDonalds in the Allen Creek Shopping Center. Responding police officers contacted the 23-year-old male driver in the drive-thru and placed him into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving. He was being held without bail and his pickup was towed for blocking traffic.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for drugged driving following a weekend incident in the northwest part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a traffic complaint in the 900-block of NW B Street on Saturday around 9:45 p.m.. Police said a caller told dispatchers that her neighbor left the area while driving under the influence of narcotics. She said the 36-year-old man came to her house and asked to borrow her phone to make a call. The male subject had a phone with him, but he told her he couldn't log in to it. She said he also asked her some "odd" questions and appeared to be impaired when he drove away. Responding officers located the suspect's large white Dodge truck and pulled it over on NW 3rd Street between H and G streets. They discovered that his driver's license was suspended. He also displayed indicators of impairment and he admitted to recent methamphetamine use. After performing poorly in field sobriety tests, a drug recognition evaluation was performed and the suspect was placed into custody. He was lodged in jail for Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substances, Driving While Suspended and Probation Violation related to past arrests for Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Reckless Driving. His pickup was impounded.

 

We're one month into the 2024 fire season and some people still have not gotten the message that all outdoor debris burning is prohibited. On Saturday at 6:09 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to an illegal open burn on Hummingbird Lane in Cave Junction. IVFD officials said the small fire that contained illegal materials was extinguished in short order and a written warning was issued. Remember, there is no outdoor burning allowed anywhere in southwest Oregon including the Illinois Valley.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash after a pedestrian was struck and killed over the weekend outside Ashland. The Sheriff's Office reports ECSO Dispatch received a call on Saturday at 9:35 p.m. regarding a pedestrian injured and the suspect vehicle still at the scene in the 500-block of South Valley View Road. Deputies, Ashland police officers and an Ashland Fire-Rescue ambulance rushed to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin has been notified. The victim was identified as 50-year-old Mark David Langille of New Mexico. The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team and Medical Examiner detectives responded to assist with the investigation. The driver of the suspect minivan was placed into custody and a search warrant for a blood draw was granted. Potential charges for the suspect are pending further investigation, toxicology reports and a mechanical inspection of the vehicle. The suspect's name will be released if and when charges are filed.

 

All evacuation levels are canceled for the Upper Applegate Fire due to successful firefighting efforts over the last few days. The Oregon Department of Forestry did not include statistics in its daily report on Sunday, but the wildfire was 1,124 acres with 85% containment, according to the Watch Duty App. ODF did report the wildfire located south of Ruch is continuing to be held strong by firefighters working the incident. Officials said all lines remained intact since Friday, which is a testament to the work that has been put in on this fire. This work continued during Sunday's day shift as well as identifying where suppression repair is needed and what hazards still exist near those areas. On Sunday, 380 personnel were assigned to the fire including 13 20-person hand crews backed by five engines, three bulldozers and eight water tenders. Two Type 2 helicopters remain assigned to the incident as well as one Type 3 helicopter. It is not expected that ordering additional aircraft will be necessary. Due to the progress on this wildfire, a smaller Type 4 incident management team led by the BLM will be taking command on Tuesday morning. Today, the team will shadow the current organization for a full day to ensure a smooth transition.

 

The Oregon State Marine Board wanted to remind boaters that it's state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury. Marine Board officials say it's also about being a "good neighbor" on the water. By Oregon statute, failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury or death, the boater may be charged with a Class C felony. Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Coordinator for the Marine Board, said boaters need to pay close attention to other people recreating on the water around them. In many cases, he said everyday boaters become heroes when others go overboard, helping avert further tragedy. Oregon's waterways are increasingly congested, but everyone has the same right to recreate. Please be mindful and remember to share the waterway while recreating responsibly.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will focus on the new Water Treatment Plant and Caveman Pool during its bi-weekly workshop session today. The City Council will open the workshop with an update on the Water Treatment Plant project from Public Works Director Jason Canady. The project has reached the next step in the design process while estimated costs have skyrocketed. Next up is a staff presentation on Caveman Pool funding options followed by Council discussion. The panel is interested in continuing with a renovation of the municipal swimming pool while also showing interest in a partnership with the Grants Pass Family YMCA on a new swimming facility south of the river. The Council will review motions made by the Parks Advisory Committee before reviewing agendas for upcoming workshops and regular meetings. Following the workshop, Mayor Sara Bristol will convene the City Council for a Special Meeting in Executive Session. The closed-door meeting is with the City Attorney regarding rights and duties along with current or likely litigation. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

Applications are now being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Tourism Advisory Committee. The goal of the committee is to encourage visitors and residents to engage in community activities while enhancing the positive image of Grants Pass through marketing, promotions and destination management. The purpose of the committee is to review and advise the work of the city's tourism contractor. Special qualification for this position is a member representing lodging properties within the City of Grants Pass. Applications can be obtained at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application."