Local News

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue wants everyone to enjoy their Independence Day celebration safely. According to fire officials, only Oregon-safe fireworks are allowed within the city limits of Grants Pass today from 6 to 11 p.m. only. Fireworks are not allowed in the area west of NW Highland Avenue and Dimmick Street, north of the railroad tracks, all areas north of Interstate 5, all city parks and all public schools. The use of all fireworks is prohibited within Grants Pass when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for Fire Zone 620. To safely enjoy fireworks, citizens are encouraged to attend the public display at Reinhart Volunteer Park. If you choose to set off fireworks at home, please follow these safety steps: Never give fireworks to small children and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, flammable materials or flammable vegetation. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. Keep a water supply close by. Be sure the person lighting the fireworks always wears eye protection. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight a "dud." Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets. Keep pets indoors as exposure to fireworks may result in severe burns or trauma. Fire officials encourage residents to have a safe and happy Independence Day!

 

As the weather continues to warm and fire danger increases, the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management has increased public use restrictions on the lands it manages in Southern Oregon. Effectively immediately, certain activities on BLM lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will be restricted to prevent human-caused fires and to reduce wildfire potential. Campfires are only allowed at the Hyatt Lake Campground and the lower section of the Rogue River below the high-water mark. In all other areas, visitors can use portable cooking stoves that use liquefied or bottled fuels. Otherwise, campfires or any other type of open fire -- including the use of charcoal briquettes -- is banned. Operating a motor vehicle and parking off-road -- including motorcycles and ATVs -- is only allowed on roadways clear of flammable vegetation. Smoking is only allowed while inside a vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of flammable vegetation. Using fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition is prohibited. Violation of these restrictions can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to one year.

 

A proposed rate increase by Josephine County's designated ambulance service provider was denied by the Board of Commissioners on Thursday. American Medical Response requested an 8% increase to their "all-inclusive" base rates along with an additional mileage adjustment. But when Board Chair Andreas Blech asked for a motion to approve the request, no motion was made. The Commissioners unanimously approved an order delegating signing authority for airport lease agreements to the Airport Director. The agreements often must be signed quickly such as for the temporary use of the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley airfields for deploying firefighting aircraft. The Board will continue to maintain oversight on all other major airport decisions. In other business, the Board denied a fee waiver for an unspecified public records request and the topic of Airports General Fund Support was tabled until the next Weekly Business Session. Next Thursday's meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum, so the next business session will occur on Thursday, July 17th.

 

Independence Day is a time for celebration, filled with fireworks, barbecues and outdoor fun. But with all the excitement, it's important to prioritize fire safety to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management reports 85% of wildfires are started by humans -- many times with fireworks and campfires. Whether you are celebrating at home or traveling out of the area, know the latest road conditions, check if you are visiting an area near a wildfire, make sure you are signed up for Oregon emergency alerts, activate Federal Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone, understand evacuation levels, and make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle. Fireworks are a staple of Independence Day, but they can also be dangerous. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display put on by professionals. Always check local regulations before lighting fireworks in your area, never give fireworks to small children and keep a bucket of water or hose nearby in case of emergencies. Maintain a safe distance from fireworks and never point them at people, animals or structures. All fireworks are banned on public lands. Backyard barbecues are a great way to celebrate, but they also pose fire hazards. Place your grill away from overhanging branches, siding or deck railings. Never grill indoors and always supervise the grill while in use. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill. Use long-handled tools designed for grilling to prevent burns. OEM officials warn people to stay safe and don't be the spark this holiday.

 

A proposed rate increase by Josephine County's designated ambulance service provider was denied by the Board of Commissioners this morning. American Medical Response requested an 8% increase to their "all-inclusive" base rates along with an additional mileage adjustment. But when Board Chair Andreas Blech asked for a motion to approve the request, no motion was made. The Commissioners unanimously approved an order delegating signing authority for airport lease agreements to the Airport Director. The agreements often must be signed quickly such as for the temporary use of the Grants Pass and Illinois Valley airfields for deploying firefighting aircraft. The Board will continue to maintain oversight on all other major airport decisions. In other business, the Board denied a fee waiver for an unspecified public records request and the topic of Airports General Fund Support was tabled until the next Weekly Business Session. Next Thursday's meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum, so the next business session will occur on Thursday, July 17th. During the Public Comment period, two citizens spoke in favor of approval of the lease agreement for the Grants Pass branch library, one person questioned giving signing authority to the Airport Director and another person promoted the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of the Courthouse on Friday at 11 a.m..

 

The Oregon State Police jailed a Grants Pass man for felony assault and impaired driving yesterday after he caused an Interstate 5 collision near Hugo that seriously injured another motorist. OSP reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 67 shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday. State troopers said an investigation indicated that 39-year-old Tristan Thor Petrie-Anderson was driving a Ford F-250 that collided with another Ford F-250 driven by 66-year-old Jesse William Day of Grants Pass on the Mount Sexton descent. According to OSP, Day was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with suspected serious injuries. No other injuries were reported. Petrie-Anderson displayed indicators of impairment at the scene of the crash and he was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Assault, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His pickup was impounded and towed to Grants Pass while Day's pickup was released to family members.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for a felony violation early today following a traffic stop on Redwood Highway near Selma. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Andre Blair Cotton, Jr., on US Highway 199 near Hidden Creek Road late last night and placed him into custody at about 1:30 this morning. Deputies said they stopped Cotton for a traffic violation and quickly discovered that his driving privileges had been suspended at the felony level. He was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Driving While Suspended. His vehicle was impounded. According to the report, Cotton had two children in the vehicle at the time of his arrest. His mother responded from Murphy to pick up the kids as well as their belongings. The Sheriff's Office notified the Child Protection Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services about the incident.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for blatantly stealing food and beverage from a local supermarket while consuming the items inside the store last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to the shoplifting incident at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Wednesday around 7 p.m.. Police said 23-year-old Omar Alejandro Araujo-Cano was walking in the store aisles while eating stolen chicken wings and drinking a stolen energy drink. He then abandoned the packaging by stashing it amongst the merchandise in the health and beauty section. According to the report, WinCo loss prevention viewed the suspect's actions remotely before calling 9-1-1. He attempted to leave the store, but spotted loss prevention and went back inside where he was eventually detained. Araujo-Cano was lodged at the nearby adult jail facility for 3rd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police located a woman who had been reported missing in California at a city park early yesterday and then promptly arrested her on a local warrant. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 28-year-old Jessica Ann Tope on Wednesday at 6:45 a.m. while she was sleeping at Riverside Park under Caveman Bridge. Police said Tope had been reported missing by the Sonoma County, California, Sheriff's Office, and they were notified that she had been located in Grants Pass. Tope was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was lodged in jail without bail on the warrant and warned for violation of park rules against camping.