Local News

Eagle Point Police Nab Suspect in Series of Thefts from Vehicles & Residences
The Eagle Point Police Department has arrested a suspect in a series of thefts from vehicles and homes that occurred between late November and early December. According to EPD, 23-year-old Adam James Guenther was arrested last week in connection with break-ins in the area between Arrowhead Trail and Robert Trent Jones Trail. Officers were investigating the multiple cases and were patrolling the area on December 5th when they contacted Guenther in the area of Arrowhead Trail. He initially tried to avoid being contacted, but additional officers arrived, he was detained and found to be wanted on three separate warrants charging him with Probation Violations related to original charges of burglary and theft. Further investigation revealed evidence of thefts from vehicles and Guenther was positively linked to at least one burglary from a nearby residence. Officers were able to recover property indicating the suspect was involved in several outstanding cases. Multiple stolen items have been recovered and returned to the victims while the investigation continues. Adam Guenther was being held in the Jackson County Jail on the warrants plus charges of 1st-Degree Burglary, 1st-Degree Theft, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Trespass and Furnishing False Information to Police. Anyone with additional information in this case is encouraged to contact the Eagle Point Police Department at (541)-826-9171.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:58AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Incarcerated Man for Breaking into Vehicle at Automobile Dealer Lot
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for breaking into a vehicle on an automobile sales lot in the north part of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a report of suspicious activity at Best Auto on NE Hillcrest Drive around 1:40 a.m. Tuesday. Police said 45-year-old Floyd Terry Rose broke into a Honda Element on the lot with the intent to commit a crime. The lot owner saw the incident on a surveillance camera and called 9-1-1, prompting the rapid response of officers. Upon arrival, officers determined Rose intentionally caused more than $400 in damage to the Honda while attempting to steal $500 worth of vehicle parts. He was initially non-compliant with law enforcement, but he was challenged and placed into custody. Floyd Rose was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Attempted 2nd-Degree Theft.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:56AM by Sam Marsh
 

OSP Jailed GP Man for Parole Violation When He Updated Sex Offender Registry
The Oregon State Police jailed a Grants Pass man for violating his post-prison supervision this week when he showed up at their office to update his registry as a convicted sex offender. OSP reports troopers arrested 42-year-old Justin Lee Kennedy at the office in the 1400-block of NE 7th Street on Monday afternoon. Troopers said they contacted Kennedy in the OSP lobby during his annual sex offender registry. They discovered that he was wanted on a local warrant for Felony Parole Violation and placed him into custody. Justin Kennedy was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:55AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Cited Uncooperative Motorist for Three Violations in North Part of City
Grants Pass Police cited a motorist for three violations this week following a traffic stop in the north part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Michael Scott Gibson on NE 7th Street late Monday night. Police said they observed the vehicle pull out of the driveway of the Super 8 Motel and cross all three travel lanes instead of turning into the closest lane of travel. The suspect then exited into the special turn lane for Diamond Home Improvement before swerving back into the right-hand travel lane. Officers stopped Gibson, identified him and discovered that he did not have proof of insurance. During the contact, the suspect refused to provide a current address or phone number. He also contended that he was "traveling and not driving." Whether Gibson was traveling or driving, he was cited for Improper Left Turn, Failure to Drive Within Lane and Failure to Carry Proof of Insurance.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:50AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC to Hold Public Hearing on 4 More Withdrawals from Local Library District
Prompted by last week's controversial decision by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to approve a withdrawal from the local library district, at least four more property owners have made the same request. The Board this morning will hold a public hearing in the matter of withdrawing four properties from the Josephine Community Library District that was approved by a majority of voters in 2017. According to the Weekly Business Session agenda, the Bertsch, MacDonald, Millard and Marshall families have petitioned the Board to be removed from the district. Last week, Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West approved a withdrawal request made by the Mike and Winnie Pelfrey Trust. The Josephine Community Library District has vowed to take legal action to stop the Board from approving any more withdrawals, citing a legal precedent that will be felt both locally and across the state. The public hearing is the only action item on the agenda, which also has Requests and Comments from Citizens. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:43AM by Sam Marsh
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Applications Being Accepted for Seat on Solid Waste Agency Budget Panel
Applications are being accepted for one opening on the Josephine County/City of Grants Pass Solid Waste Agency Budget Committee. The Solid Waste Agency is a seven-member board, three each from the City of Grants Pass and Josephine County and one from the City of Cave Junction. The purpose of the agency is the mutual sharing of responsibilities to provide Solid Waste Management to Josephine County, oversee franchise agreements on behalf of all three jurisdictions, rate setting and rate changes, and the collection and allocation of the environmental program fee. The Budget Committee consists of seven citizens. Its purpose is to receive and review the proposed budget and recommend a spending plan for agency approval. Qualifications to serve on the Solid Waste Agency Budget Committee include a residence within Josephine County and voter registration. Experience in evaluation and analysis of the delivery of services is beneficial as well as a background in civic and community volunteer programs. Applications are available in the Grants Pass Public Works Office at 101 NW A Street, Room 205, or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. All applications must be returned by 5 p.m. on January 19th.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:42AM by Sam Marsh
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Medford Woman Critically Hurt in Unprovoked November Attack Has Died from Injuries
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A Medford woman who was critically injured during an unprovoked attack last month has died and the suspect who attacked her is facing upgraded charges. The Medford Police Department reported on Tuesday that 51-year-old Jessica Delyon passed away last week when she was taken off life support 17 days after she was assaulted by 22-year-old Anthony Siple on North Keene Way. On November 18th at 6:26 a.m., Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon began receiving multiple calls about a disturbance near North Medford High School, with a woman screaming and a man assaulting her. Dispatchers also received a call from the suspect who admitted to attacking the woman. MPD officers arrived in the area within three minutes and contacted Siple while he was walking away with evidence he had been involved in an assault. Delyon was located nearby and she was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Anthony Siple was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Attempted Murder and 1st-Degree Assault. Detectives said he used a blunt object during the assault and that he and the victim were unknown to each other. Following the death of Delyon, Siple has now been charged with two counts of 2nd-Degree Murder, 1st-Degree Manslaughter and 1st-Degree Robbery. He has been indicted by a Jackson County grand jury and remains in custody without bail.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:40AM by Sam Marsh
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Wildlife Images Center Temporarily Closes Doors for Staffing and Program Transitions
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Wildlife Images Animal Rehabilitation & Education Center has announced it is temporarily closing its doors for the rest of this month and January. Due to a sudden and significant change in staffing, the world-renowned center was forced to make the difficult decision to close the park until February. During the closure, the wildlife rehabilitation clinic is still open for wild patient admissions seven days a week. The park's animal services team is on site taking care of their in-house residents and patients. This temporary closure allows the team to focus fully on their mission of saving wildlife while they train new front-of-house staff. Wildlife Images officials said they will reopen again in February better than ever. The park is reorganizing and improving internal systems while embracing new ideas they share with their partners at the Australia Zoo. To do this, they hired new Operations Director Amy Webb who has years of experience for various non-profits and prior expertise in strategic partnerships, fundraising and managing events. Look for the grand re-opening announcement on their social media site and website in early 2024.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:38AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Fire Department Announces New Partnership to Host Watch Duty Echo System
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The Grants Pass Fire Department is excited to announce a new partnership with Watch Duty to host a Watch Duty Echo system in this community. This innovative technology will enhance early wildfire detection and response, giving the local fire department a crucial advantage in protecting homes and businesses while communicating this information to the Grants Pass community. The Watch Duty Echo is a receiver that picks up first responder radio traffic, which allows Watch Duty reporters to receive real-time updates on nearby fire activity, even before official alerts are issued. Local fire radio communications can be listened to "live" on the following website: "m.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/2221." With this early warning system, the Grants Pass community can take immediate action to evacuate, prepare and stay informed.
Posted on 12/13/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC to Hold Public Hearing on 4 More Withdrawals from Local Library District
Prompted by last week's controversial decision by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to approve a withdrawal from the local library district, at least four more property owners have made the same request. The Board on Wednesday will hold a public hearing in the matter of withdrawing four properties from the Josephine Community Library District that was approved by a majority of voters in 2017. According to the Weekly Business Session agenda, the Bertsch, MacDonald, Millard and Marshall families have petitioned the Board to be removed from the district. Last week, Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West approved a withdrawal request made by the Mike and Winnie Pelfrey Trust. The Josephine Community Library District has vowed to take legal action to stop the Board from approving any more withdrawals, citing a legal precedent that will be felt both locally and across the state. The public hearing is the only action item on tomorrow's agenda, which also has Requests and Comments from Citizens. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 12/12/23 1:03PM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Police Jailed Man for Felony Crimes including Murder & Assault
Grants Pass Police jailed a man last night for six felony-level crimes including murder and assault. The Police Department has so far provided no details about the incident, but Josephine County Jail records show officers lodged 59-year-old Michael Fay Woodruff on Monday at 10:17 p.m.. Woodruff was booked on charges including two counts of 2nd-Degree Murder and one count each of 2nd-Degree Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, 1st-Degree Robbery and 1st-Degree Burglary. Michael Woodruff was being held without bail and we are awaiting more details about the investigation.
Posted on 12/12/23 10:52AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Man for Domestic Violence on Wife after Family Gathering
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for domestic violence against his wife after a family gathering last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Kenneth Charles Sumner for the alleged incident that occurred at a home on SW Leonard Street on Sunday shortly after midnight. Police said Sumner and his wife have a history of domestic violence. During a Saturday night family gathering, an argument started between the couple and it escalated later that night after they returned to their home. An investigation determined that Sumner consumed a large amount of alcoholic beverages, he approached his wife in their bedroom and threatened to kill her. He reportedly got physical with the woman before she locked him out of the bedroom. He also grabbed her in an attempt to take keys to a vehicle, but she was not hurt. Upon arrival, officers placed Kenneth Sumner into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Domestic Menacing and Domestic Harassment. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 12/12/23 10:51AM by Sam Marsh
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