Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for drugged driving and drug possession last night after receiving multiple traffic complaints near Home Depot. According to the Police Department, officers responded to complaints of a possible impaired driver in a Chevrolet Tahoe in that area shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday. Police said the callers reported the male driver appeared to be impaired when he got into the pickup. They said he was both speeding and swerving as they followed him to the Grants Pass Shopping Center. Officers contacted the 54-year-old man near Southern Oregon Goodwill and said he showed numerous signs of impairment from a narcotic stimulant. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was detained. During a search of his vehicle, they found a small baggy with a white crystal substance that field-tested positive as methamphetamine. It was seized as evidence and for destruction. The suspect was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center for breath and urine samples. He was subsequently charged with Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and Meth Possession.

 

The Oregon State Police was looking for the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run crash that occurred yesterday on Redwood Highway west of Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers responded to a hit-and-run involving state property damage on US Highway 199 near Robinson Road on Thursday at 3:25 p.m.. Troopers said the suspect vehicle -- a black Toyota Tacoma with Oregon license plates -- fled just before they arrived on scene and an investigation is pending. Anyone with information on the suspect or suspect vehicle is encouraged to dial *OSP.

 

Grants Pass Police cited at least eight motorists for speeding in designated school zones on Thursday. GPPD officers were watching for speeders near Grants Pass High School, South Middle School and a downtown private school yesterday -- and the effort paid off. Police said all school zones across the state are posted with a 20 mile-per-hour speed limit, but most of the motorists pulled over yesterday were traveling at 30 miles per hour or more. The traffic stops resulted in speeding citations as well as some other moving and equipment violations. Motorists are encouraged to slow down whenever they're in the vicinity of schools and especially when they see flashing yellow lights.

 

Four members of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office were honored this week for saving the life of a co-worker in February. Just over one month ago, Sheriff's Office employee Doug Dulong suffered a traumatic medical event while working at their facility. Doug's family came to the Sheriff's Office and recognized the four for their roles in saving his life. Lieutenant Geiger, Detective Sergeant Henrich and Evidence Technicians Kayla Lauer and Haylee Bayard were presented with plaques from the family that read: "In recognition of your heroic bravery, swift decision-making, expertise and training that saved the life of fellow co-worker Doug DuLong, who suffered a critical cardiac event on February 6, 2025, in Grants Pass, we are forever grateful." In a photo taken at the event, Doug is holding the automatic external defibrillator (AED) that was used to save his life.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley felon for theft and violating his probation during a Cave Junction patrol check. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Anthony David Pope in the 100-block of South Redwood Highway early Wednesday morning. Deputies said they were on patrol when they spotted Pope sitting in a vehicle with no rear license plate. They knew that he was wanted for questioning in an ongoing theft investigation, so they contacted him and then his corrections officer. No details were provided about the theft investigation, but Pope was considered to be the primary suspect. He was placed into custody without incident. Pope was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft and the resulting Probation Violation related to a past arrest for Identity Theft. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving this week after getting a complaint in a northwest city neighborhood. The Police Department reports officers responded to the call in the 1100-block of NW Hillside Drive late Wednesday night. Police said the caller reported a male motorist driving a white pickup became stuck in a cul-de-sac and he was yelling as he tried to move his vehicle. The caller said loud music was coming from the pickup as it struck some mailboxes. When the caller contacted him, the driver yelled, "Go ahead and call the police." So they did. Upon arrival, officers saw the 28-year-old motorist stumble out of his vehicle and up to the entrance of a residence as he intended to go inside. They detained him after he displayed signs of impairment by alcohol. The suspect was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. He was cited to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

 

Grants Pass Police cited a woman after she lost control of the vehicle she was driving and crashed into a house on the west side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers and emergency crews responded to the collision in the 1400-block of SW Bridge Street on Wednesday evening. Police said a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report a silver Nissan Altima went across a lawn and struck a house. The caller said the female driver backed up the car after she hit the house. They also said the driver had slurred speech and showed signs of impairment. Officers arrived on scene and said damage to the house appeared to be less than $2,500. They identified the driver as a 33-year-old woman and said she showed no signs of impairment. The motorist told them she believed she fell asleep while driving. Following the investigation, the driver was cited for No Insurance. She was also submitted to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles for retesting due to the circumstances of the wreck.

 

A motorist escaped injury when they wrecked their vehicle near Selma early yesterday. On Thursday at 10:48 a.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash near milepost 2 of Reeves Creek Road. IVFD officials said arriving units found a vehicle that had left the roadway and entered a culvert. One occupant was evaluated and declined medical transport to the hospital. The occupant made independent arrangements for vehicle removal. Officials said the cause of the crash was under investigation.

 

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Historical Buildings & Sites Commission. The position expires in December 2026. The Historical Buildings & Sites Commission's purpose is to review proposed alterations to any historic district or designated structure in the Grants Pass urban growth boundary, to promote the community's historic preservation, to advise other agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and to identify areas of archaeological significance and buildings of historic or archaeological significance. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the City of Grants Pass. This position is for a representative who owns a business located within the Downtown Historic District of Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4th.