GP Police Arrested Vandalism Suspect Twice at Fairgrounds and Fred Meyer
Grants Pass Police arrested a vandalism suspect twice on Tuesday -- once for an incident at The Flying Lark and the second time for an incident at Fred Meyer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a vandalism complaint at the multi-million-dollar facility next to Grants Pass Downs and the Josephine County Fairgrounds at about 11:25 a.m. yesterday. Police said 46-year-old David Israel McDonald was arrested for ripping out plants at The Flying Lark. He was placed into custody and provided a statement related to an incident that happened earlier that day in the 1100-block of SW Ballinger Drive when he was seen on video surveillance slashing all four tires and a window on a Jeep Wrangler. McDonald was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass for the Ballinger Drive Incident and he was jailed for Disorderly Conduct for The Flying Lark incident. After McDonald was released from jail last night, he created three calls for service by causing public alarm with his unruly behavior. He entered a trailer belonging to Quest Mark in the parking lot of Fred Meyer and attempted to steal a propane tank valued at $35. The suspect walked into Fred Meyer with a bloody hand and was placed into custody by officers who performed a welfare check. This time, he was lodged in jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Disorderly Conduct and Attempted Theft. He was being held without bail as of late last night. ...Read more

NHTSA and ODOT Reminding Motorists April is "Distracted Driving Awareness Month"

April is "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" and it's an important reminder to drivers everywhere that they should practice safe driving habits at all times. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts attention away from driving including talking on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, or fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system -- anything that takes your attention away from the road. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, 26,264 crashes reported in the state from 2017-2021 were caused by distracted drivers. During that same time period, 125 crashes involved drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 who were using a cell phone. The NHTSA's latest research does show one promising statistic: passenger vehicle drivers talking on handheld phones decreased from 2.5% in 2021 to 2.1% in 2022. This shift in driver behavior is likely attributed to increased usage of hands-free technology and "do not disturb while driving" features on smartphones. However, there is progress to be made to keep drivers safe and as many drivers fail to utilize these options or do not know how to use them properly. ...Read more

RCC Small Business Development Center Receives Award to Improve Local Services

Business Oregon is pleased to announce an award of $3 million to 15 currently operating Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to improve their services. The Rogue Community College SBDC is among the recipients. SBDCs assist clients with business plan preparation, financial management, personnel management and marketing. They also help facilitate capital by bridging the gap between small businesses seeking capital and lenders seeking qualified buyers. The SBDCs are hosted by Oregon's 17 community colleges, Southern Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University and the Columbia Economic Team. They are embedded in places across the state where collaboration is at a premium. Business Oregon released a Request for Grant Applications in December that was targeted at Oregon's 20 SBDCs. Twenty-three requests for assistance were received and 21 met the eligibility criteria laid out in the application. The RCC SBDC is a valuable resource for small businesses in Josephine and Jackson counties. To learn more about the local SBDC in Grants Pass, visit "roguecc.edu." ...Read more