Local News

Deputies Collared Three Fugitives during Patrol Sweeps in CJ & Illinois Valley
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended three local fugitives yesterday during patrol sweeps in Cave Junction and the Illinois Valley. The Sheriff's Office reports the first incident occurred on Wednesday at 2:16 p.m. when deputies arrested 28-year-old William James Holmen in the 200-block of South Redwood Highway in Cave Junction. Holmen was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Mail Theft, Receiving Stolen Mail, 2nd-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail. The second incident happened on Wednesday at 2:53 p.m. when deputies arrested 43-year-old Joshua David Scott in the 100-block of East O'Brien Street. Scott was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. The third incident took place on Wednesday at 3:53 p.m. when deputies arrested 53-year-old Mary Jeanene Myers at a transient camp off a US Forest Service Road. Myers was wanted for Probation Violation related to a June 17th arrest for Felony Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing. She was lodged in jail and cited to appear in court for Providing False Information to a Forest Service Officer.
Posted on 12/14/23 11:23AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Corrections Client on Felony Warrant for Probation Violation
Grants Pass Police jailed a corrections client on an outstanding felony warrant yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 40-year-old Zacharey Michael Costa at the Josephine County Community Corrections office on NW 4th Street on Wednesday at 2:47 p.m.. Police said Costa's corrections officer contacted them and reported that his client was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to a previous arrest for 3rd-Degree Robbery and 3rd-Degree Theft. According to the report, the suspect was unaware he was about to be arrested. Zacharey Costa was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. His bail was set at $25,000.
Posted on 12/14/23 11:22AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Snared Felon for Parole Violation while Performing Welfare Check
Grants Pass Police arrested a local felon for violating his post-prison supervision while performing a welfare check near Home Depot early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a citizen report of a male subject lying face-up with his pants down around his ankles near the corner of NE Mill Street and Fire Mountain Way on Wednesday shortly before 9 a.m.. Police said they found 30-year-old Kody Tyler Halverson lying in a puddle with his pants down and covered in feces. They said he admitted to using inhalants and consuming alcohol, which are both violations of his supervision agreement. Halverson's corrections officer was contacted and requested he be put on a detainer. Kody Halverson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Parole Violation stemming from past convictions for 2nd-Degree Theft, 3rd-Degree Theft and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 12/14/23 11:20AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Motorist for DUII after He Hit Pedestrian near Hospital
Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving yesterday after he struck and injured a pedestrian near Three Rivers Medical Center. The Police Department reports officers responded to the reported mishap at the corner of Allen Creek Road and SW Ramsey Avenue at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Police said a motorist they identified as "Zachary Knowlton" was driving a Chevrolet Suburban while impaired when he lost control of the vehicle, went up onto the shoulder and hit a pedestrian. They said he showed signs of impairment at the scene and performed poorly in field sobriety testing. According to the report, the unidentified pedestrian was transported by ambulance to the nearby hospital with visible injuries. Knowlton was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and his vehicle was impounded.
Posted on 12/14/23 11:16AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Arrested 2 Campers and Cited 3rd in Wednesday Park Patrols
Grants Pass Police arrested two campers and cited a third during patrol checks at city parks yesterday. During a patrol check at Riverside Park, officers discovered that 61-year-old Timothy Teige had returned to the park for the fourth time since he was originally trespassed for 30 days on November 29th. He was arrested for Criminal Trespass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. During a patrol check at Tussing Park, officers cited Donnie Snow for Scattering Rubbish. No other ordinance violations were observed. During another patrol check at Riverside Park, officers contacted 33-year-old Ryan Burrows after he placed a mound of trash on the west side of Caveman Bridge. He was arrested for Offensive Littering and lodged in jail. He was also cited to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession.
Posted on 12/14/23 11:14AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Cited 2 People for Possession of Inhalants after Welfare Check
Grants Pass Police cited two people for possession of inhalants yesterday after responding to a citizen-requested welfare check in a northwest neighborhood. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a man and woman passed out in a Dodge Ram pickup parked in the 500-block of NW C Street on Wednesday at about 2:20 p.m.. Police said they arrived on scene to find William Gragg and Wendy Kohler in possession of inhalant canisters. They said Kohler admitted that she had ingested an inhalant while Gragg admitted he intended to ingest at a later time. Neither Gragg nor Kohler had a prior violation for inhalant use, so both were cited to appear in court and counseled on their behavior.
Posted on 12/14/23 11:13AM by Sam Marsh
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US Attorney's Office Announces Federal Prison Sentences for Drug Traffickers
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The US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon has announced that three federal prison sentences have been imposed in separate criminal cases following multi-agency drug trafficking investigations in and around Medford. James Michael Cody Whelchel of Carson, California, was sentenced last week to 130 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. Terril Jacob Boss of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. Earl Richard Shamblin of Medford was sentenced to 45 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. Investigators said Whelchel -- a known drug trafficker with a lengthy criminal history -- was dealing drugs in the Medford area while running his operation from a local motel in July 2021. After observing multiple individuals come and go from his motel room, detectives arrested him. A search of his motel room uncovered more than two and half pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, $51,000 in cash and two firearms. Two more guns and narcotics were found inside his vehicle. In July 2020, law enforcement obtained information that Boss was at a fast-food parking lot in White City while in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. He reached for a firearm and was shot twice by responding deputies. He was taken to a local hospital, treated and then booked into the Jackson County Jail. Three days later, investigators located and seized quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in his truck and a large zipper bag with meth and heroin concealed in the gas tank of his motorcycle. Between November 2019 and January 2021, law enforcement conducted multiple purchases of heroin from Shamblin, a known Jackson County drug trafficker. In February 2021, investigators arrested him and found digital scales, drug packaging material, records of drug transactions and more than $4,000 in cash in his RV and on his person. The next day, investigators obtained a recorded jail call on which the suspect coordinated with other individuals to move and conceal a large sum of cash and bury heroin in the backyard of his residence.
Posted on 12/14/23 6:38AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Jailed Woman on Outstanding Warrants after Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman on outstanding warrants this week after she was injured during a lengthy law enforcement pursuit. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 25-year-old Lacey Marie Cullison at the Williams Highway Safeway on Tuesday night. Deputies said the incident began when they spotted a stolen pickup that was occupied by three people on Highway 238 near Allenwood Drive. They said the suspects drove south on the highway to Murphy where they turned left onto North Applegate Road and led them out to Kubli Road while speeding and passing other vehicles on blind corners. A load of firewood spilled out of the truck and blocked the roadway during the chase, which continued back toward Grants Pass. Cullison was reportedly injured when the stolen truck hit another vehicle at the intersection of Williams Highway and New Hope Road. She was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment. Cullison was identified as a suspect in a burglary case and when deputies went to the hospital to contact her, they discovered that she had checked herself out. She was located at the supermarket a short time later and found to be in possession of multiple pieces of jewelry that did not belong to her. Lacey Cullison was lodged in jail on two Grants Pass warrants for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Forgery and Possession of a Forged Instrument, with other charges pending further investigation.
Posted on 12/14/23 6:31AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Incarcerated Man for Vandalizing Ex-Wife's Vehicle on SE K Street
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for vandalizing his ex-wife's vehicle at a home in the downtown area this week. According to the Police Department, officers placed 58-year-old Gregory Albert Metzger into custody on Tuesday afternoon for the incident that occurred in the 400-block of SE K Street. Police said Metzger was seen and identified by his ex-wife approaching her 2000 Mitsubishi Montero and slashing the front left tire before fleeing on a bicycle. The incident was also witnessed by a neighbor who was outside cleaning their vehicle. Officers searched the area, located Metzger and arrested him without incident. Gregory Metzger was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for suspicion of 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail. His bicycle and other belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.
Posted on 12/14/23 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Housing Advisory Committee Slated for Important Friday Morning Meeting
The Grants Pass Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) is gathering Friday morning for an important meeting. The HAC explores opportunities to facilitate provision of housing for all income levels, and it makes recommendations to the Grants Pass City Council. The panel promotes public awareness of housing resources and promotes public participation in identifying and addressing housing issues and needs. Action items on tomorrow's agenda include updates on annual housing statistics and the urban renewal density program. Other business items include the Point in Time Count that will be performed by the United Community Action Network (UCAN) on January 24th, a recap of the Rent Burden Forum held earlier this week and an open space development code amendment being considered by the Urban Area Planning Commission. Friday's meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Grants Pass City Council Chambers.
Posted on 12/14/23 6:27AM by Sam Marsh
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Two GP Police K9s Received Clean Bills of Health after Recent Quarantines
With the recent onset of a mysterious nationwide virus infecting dogs and cats, the Grants Pass Police Department has been extremely cautious with its K-9 partners' health. GPPD K-9s "Otis" and "Match" recently spent a four-week quarantine when they developed signs of a respiratory illness. K-9s "Kick" and "Maro" were monitored but never developed any need for quarantine. As of Wednesday, "Otis" and "Match" each received a clean bill of health from department veterinarians and both are back on the job. GPPD officials said it's great to have all their K-9 partners back on the beat.
Posted on 12/14/23 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
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Two Fire Departments Conducting Training Exercises at RCC Campus in GP
A large number of firefighters near the Redwood Campus of Rogue Community College prompted several calls from concerned citizens early yesterday, but local fire departments were conducting training exercises. Officials with Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and Rural Metro Fire Department said crews and apparatus were training at the RCC campus off Redwood Highway. Theatrical smoke was used in one of the RCC buildings, but there was no fire. Firefighters will repeat their training exercises at RCC on Friday morning as well.
Posted on 12/14/23 6:14AM by Sam Marsh
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