Local News

Two People Jailed for Shooting Truck & Harassing Family in South Illinois Valley
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed two people who were allegedly involved in a shooting in the southern Illinois Valley early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies were alerted to the shooting incident in the 700-block of Lone Mountain Road near O'Brien on Thursday around 6 a.m.. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 to report that he was taking his children to the bus stop when someone in a silver Honda Civic shot his truck and left the area. No one was injured, but the truck was damaged and the man's children were frightened. A short time later, the victim's wife called 9-1-1 to report that a white male adult in a blue truck was harassing them by driving back and forth past their house, slowing down, smiling at them and driving away. She told dispatchers she believed the man was associated with a property off East O'Brien Street. During the investigation, deputies developed probable cause to arrest a 37-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman as suspects in the shooting and ongoing harassment of the family. The male suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. The female suspect was lodged in jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. She was also being held without bail.
Posted on 5/17/24 11:22AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Felon for Three Crimes after Alarm at Farmer's Building Supply
Grants Pass Police jailed a felon for multiple crimes after he illegally entered the yard of Farmer's Building Supply last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to an audible alarm and arrested the 42-year-old man at the business in the 1700-block of Dowell Road on Thursday shortly before 9 p.m.. Police said they found the male subject on the property in a vehicle that did not belong to him. During a consent search, the man was found to be in possession of a double-edged spring-loaded knife as well as a small amount of fentanyl. A records check revealed that he is a convicted felon banned from both weapons and drugs. According to the report, nothing was stolen from Farmer's. No information was provided as to how the man was able to enter the property. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and the narcotics violation. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/17/24 11:21AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Man for Creating Chaos at Businesses on East Side of City
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for creating chaos at several businesses on the east side of the city yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to multiple trespassing complaints involving the 41-year-old male subject on Thursday afternoon. Police said the man generated at least six complaints due to his behavior at Verizon Wireless, Arby's, Taco Bell, Grocery Outlet and Walmart among other businesses. He was reported to be aggressively panhandling and harassing motorists who did not give him money. The man was also said to be trying to steal items from stores while causing public alarm by screaming, threatening people, throwing things at vehicles and picking fights. Managers of the involved stores all requested that he be trespassed. Responding officers placed the suspect into custody and discovered that he was heavily impaired by alcohol. He was lodged at the nearby Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/17/24 11:20AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Snared Man for Stealing Trailer Out of Medford and Leaf Blower in GP
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on Thursday for stealing a trailer out of Medford and a leaf blower from a Grants Pass landscaping company. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies spotted the stolen trailer being pulled by a maroon Ford pickup in the Fish Hatchery area at about 4:10 p.m. yesterday. Deputies followed the suspect vehicle into Murphy on South Side Road to the Hidden Valley Market and then onto Williams Highway. They eventually stopped the 54-year-old driver near milepost 10 of Highway 238 and detained him. The Medford Police Department confirmed the trailer had been stolen and a leaf blower in the truck had been reported stolen from All American City Landscaping by the Grants Pass Police Department. The suspect was placed into custody before being cited to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and then released. The stolen trailer and leaf blower were recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
Posted on 5/17/24 11:18AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Arrested Man for Felony Warrant and Drugs after He Came to Station
Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" on a local felony warrant and for drug possession after he showed up at GPPD headquarters yesterday. The Police Department reports officers placed the 33-year-old man into custody in the lobby of the Grants Pass Police Department on Thursday at 12:50 p.m.. Police said the man came to agency headquarters and officers discovered that he was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Theft. He was also found to be in possession of a glass pipe with a white crystal substance that he admitted was methamphetamine. The report did not say why the well-known offender came to the police station. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the outstanding warrant and for the narcotics violation. He was being held in lieu of posting $25,000 bail.
Posted on 5/17/24 11:17AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Police Evicted 2 Campers from Tussing Park after Finding Drugs
Grants Pass Police evicted two campers out of a city park early yesterday after finding them to be in possession of narcotics. Officers were performing a patrol check at Tussing Park on Thursday morning when they spotted a man and woman with fentanyl in plain view. Both were cited to appear in court for Possession of a Schedule 2 Controlled Substance and trespassed from the park for 30 days. The fentanyl and associated drug paraphernalia were seized for destruction.
Posted on 5/17/24 11:15AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Woman for Damaging Vehicle She Stole Out of Jackson County
Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for allegedly stealing a vehicle out of Jackson County between South Medford and Phoenix. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 32-year-old female subject at a home in the 1500-block of NW Lawnridge Avenue late Wednesday afternoon. Police said the Jackson County Sheriff's Office used a remote locator to ping a stolen vehicle in northwest Grants Pass. The vehicle is a white BMW 740I. Officers responded to the Lawnridge Avenue residence and contacted the resident who advised the vehicle belonged to a friend. The friend came out of the house to speak with officers and she admitted to stealing the vehicle. She was found to be in possession of the stolen car's key fob. There was also a large scratch along the passenger side of the car and the suspect admitted to striking a guard rail. Damage was estimated to be well over $1,000. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. She was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/17/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared 5 People for Warrant & Corrections Violations in Park Patrols
Grants Pass Police arrested five people for warrant and corrections violations during city park patrol checks in just one day this week. At Fruitdale Park on Wednesday, officers contacted a 64-year-old man for ordinance violations and discovered that he was wanted on three Grants Pass misdemeanor warrants. He was cited to appear in court and released. At Riverside Park, police contacted a 19-year-old woman for ordinance violations and contacted her corrections officer. The officer wanted her arrested for Probation Violation and she was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. At Kesterson Park, officers observed a 43-year-old man they knew from previous contacts. He was lodged in jail on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Larceny. He was being held on $35,000 bail. Also at Kesterson Park, officers contacted a 53-year-old man for an ordinance violation and discovered that he was wanted on a Douglas County warrant for failing to appear in court for 3rd-Degree Theft. He was cited and released. At Lawnridge Park, officers contacted a a 46-year-old woman for Illegal Camping. Her corrections officer was contacted and directed them to place her into custody. She was lodged without bail for Criminal Trespass and Felony Parole Violation.
Posted on 5/17/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh
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Medford Crews Extinguished Fire at Crater Lake Avenue Apartment Complex
The Medford Fire Department knocked down a fire at an apartment complex late yesterday. On Thursday around 4 p.m., Medford crews responded to a reported structure fire in the 700-block of Crater Lake Avenue. Arriving units found two apartments involved with flames. The fire was knocked down and there were no reported injuries. Medford fire officials said investigators were working to determine the origin and cause of the blaze. Units were on scene for an extended period of time working on overhaul and assisting investigators. Officials thanked their partners at the Medford Police Department for assisting with evacuations of the apartment complex and securing the area.
Posted on 5/17/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
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Rural Metro Officials Remind Motorists to Pull Over for Responders' Safety
Rural Metro Fire Department is reminding motorists to pull over for their safety. First responders are routinely called to emergencies along busy roadways. Rural Metro officials said firefighters, law enforcement, ambulance, public works, tow trucks and various other roadside workers contend with not only the hazards of an incident, but also passing vehicles. Speed and distraction greatly increase the chances of a secondary incident. Smoke crossing the road doesn't help, either. Motorists are encouraged to scan ahead, watch for flashing lights and slowing traffic, and reduce speed and move over whenever possible. Please give roadside workers the safe zone they need to do their jobs.
Posted on 5/17/24 6:10AM by Sam Marsh
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US Senator Wyden Announces Four Town Hall Meetings in Southern Oregon
US Senator Ron Wyden announced he will hold four town hall meetings in southwest Oregon at the end of this month. Town halls in Josephine, Curry, Coos and Douglas counties initially scheduled in April were postponed due to Senate votes in Washington DC. Wyden will hold the first town hall in Josephine County on Tuesday, May 28th. It's set for 12:45 p.m. in the South Middle School gymnasium at 350 Harbeck Road in Grants Pass. The senator from Oregon will also hold a town hall in Curry County at 5:30 p.m. on May 28th, with meetings slated for May 29th in Coos and Douglas counties. Heading into these four town halls, Wyden has held a total of 1,081 meetings throughout Oregon -- including 16 this year -- in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall every year in each of the state's 36 counties. Wyden said he's glad to be able to reschedule these town halls so quickly because it's crucial that all Oregonians get the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and offer suggestions.
Posted on 5/17/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh
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US Forest Service to Invest Millions to Reduce Wildfire Risk in Pacific NW Communities
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Communities that have limited resources and face high risk from wildfire are getting additional support from the US Forest Service. In an announcement made this week, Oregon will receive more than $24 million and Washington will receive more than $26.6 million in Community Wildfire Defense grant awards. These grants are part of more than $250 million being invested in 158 projects across 31 states, two territories and 11 tribes. A total of 22 projects were funded across Oregon and Washington. In Southern Oregon, the funded proposals include $250,000 to the Josephine County Emergency Management Director, $191,700 to the City of Grants Pass and $249,959 to the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council. Funding from the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program is designed to assist communities with planning for and mitigating wildfire risks, and for critical infrastructure to help confront the nation's wildfire crisis. The funding supports developing or revising Community Wildfire Protection Plans as well as completing projects that are identified in these plans. The program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and includes $1 billion to reduce wildfire risk over five years.
Posted on 5/17/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh
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