Local News

Three People Hurt and One Arrested for DUII after Weekend Crash near RCC
Three people were hospitalized and one of them was arrested for impaired driving after a weekend crash near Rogue Community College. On Friday at 7:20 p.m., the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision in the 3500-block of Demaray Drive. Deputies said an investigation determined that 25-year-old Matthew Trevino was driving a Ford Focus with his father as a passenger when he turned right in front of a Toyota Corolla driven by a woman identified only as "Cover." Trevino, his father and Cover had to be extricated from their wrecked vehicles and all were taken by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of various injuries. Trevino reportedly displayed signs of impairment at the crash scene. He admitted to drinking a beer and taking two shots of hard alcohol before driving. His father said he did not remember the crash and did not wish to pursue charges against his son. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed away. Matthew Trevino was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Reckless Driving and 4th-Degree Assault. He was cited to appear in court and released to the care of hospital staff.
Posted on 12/4/23 6:44AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP City Council to Focus on Survey & Caveman Pool in Bi-Weekly Workshop
The Grants Pass City Council has two main topics on its agenda for today's bi-weekly workshop session. The City Council will open the workshop with a staff update on the results of an Organizational Engagement Survey by Star360. The municipal policy panel will then engage in further discussion surrounding the future of Caveman Pool. The session will conclude with a review of the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.
Posted on 12/4/23 6:31AM by Sam Marsh
 

Medford District of BLM Addresses Dying Douglas Fir Trees across SW Oregon Region
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More Douglas fir trees have died in Southern Oregon in the last four years than the last four decades combined and the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management wants to know why. BLM leaders want your feedback on the best strategy for how to respond to increasing tree mortality. The agency is concerned about public safety along roadways, increased fire risk, change in wildlife habitat and economic impacts. Medford District BLM Manager Elizabeth Burghard said their top priority is to decrease risk to local communities. She said they are very concerned about the impacts of Douglas fir mortality on safe and effective wildland firefighting and they need the public's help to decide where and how to take the most effective action. The BLM is proposing to remove dead and dying trees in strategic areas to improve community safety, assist with evacuations during wildfire events, provide access for emergency services, and provide firefighters safe and effective means to engage fire when it occurs. Foresters hope to remove these dead and dying trees while the timber still has commercial value. The Medford District BLM anticipates that the environmental analysis will cover an estimated 5,000 acres of commercial salvage, non-merchantable removal, and activity fuel treatments. Input would be most beneficial if received by January 7th. Additional information can be found at "eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2027249/510/."
Posted on 12/4/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
 

Grants Pass Police Officers and Firefighters Logged Active Week of Community Protection
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Grants Pass police officers and firefighters put in an active week of protecting citizens in the community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 528 calls for service along with 295 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 49 arrests, 38 citations, 19 warnings and seven highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. The Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 178 contacts with potential trouble-makers while arresting five people, citing 38 more and warning 90 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 23 individuals, posted 80 transient camps and helped remove trash from two campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 72 calls last week including 29 for emergency medical assistance, three for reports of fire or smoke, 12 lift assists, two rescue situations, four assists to other agencies and two false alarms. Fire personnel also inspected 25 businesses, assisted the public three times and installed two child car seats.
Posted on 12/4/23 6:20AM by Sam Marsh
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Holiday Tree Arrival & Lighting Ceremony to Prompt Street Closures in GP This Week
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A 40-foot-tall Christmas tree will be installed in downtown Grants Pass this week, which will prompt seasonal and temporary street closures. The City of Grants Pass has announced that 5th Street between G Street and the alley will be closed from today through January 3rd at 10 a.m. as it will be the location of the Holiday Plaza. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place this Friday at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Plaza. In the interest of public safety, G Street between 4th and 6th streets along with 5th Street from the alley to H Street will be closed Friday from 3 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m.. Detours will be in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes during the event.
Posted on 12/4/23 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Collared Man Wanted on Local Felony Warrant at North-City Motel
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a local felony warrant during a routine patrol check in the north part of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 37-year-old Zachariah Patrick Peugh at the Grants Pass Travelodge on Friday at 12:25 a.m.. Police said Peugh was contacted inside a vehicle at the motel and found to be wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Possession of a Prohibited Firearm or Silencer. Peugh was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia during a consent search. He was placed into custody and the drug items were seized for destruction. Zachariah Peugh was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was cited to appear in court for the narcotics violation.
Posted on 12/2/23 6:53AM by Sam Marsh
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Fugitive Wanted on State Felony Warrant Surrendered at GP Police Department
A fugitive wanted on a statewide felony warrant turned himself in to the Grants Pass Police Department this week. According to the Police Department, 37-year-old Braide Preston Shipman arrived at the station on NE 7th Street and surrendered to officers late Wednesday night. Shipman was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for Flight to Avoid Prosecution. This time, he didn't run. Braide Shipman was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 12/2/23 6:52AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Motorist Nabbed for DUII after Being Spotted Using Inhalants in Drive-Thru
Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving this week after he was spotted using inhalants in the drive-thru of a local fast food restaurant. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a traffic complaint at the McDonalds in the Allen Creek Shopping Center on Thursday night. Police said 23-year-old Joshua Ryan Delacruz was observed doing "whip-its" while in the drive-thru at McDonalds and an employee called 9-1-1. Josephine County sheriff's deputies stopped the suspect, he admitted to the use of inhalants, displayed indicators of impairment and a search of his vehicle located used cans of nitrous oxide. After custody of Delacruz was transferred to Grants Pass police officers, he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw and placed in custody. Joshua Delacruz was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Inhalants. He was cited to appear in court and released, but his vehicle was impounded.
Posted on 12/2/23 6:50AM by Sam Marsh
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Vehicle Left Abandoned after Rollover Wreck on Fish Hatchery near Wilderville
A vehicle was left abandoned near Wilderville after a rollover wreck that happened early yesterday. Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash on Fish Hatchery Road near Cheney Creek Road on Friday at 3:13 a.m.. Engine 7504 from Rural Metro's Wilderville Station searched the area with thermal imaging equipment, but did not find anyone injured or uninjured at the scene. Crews remained on scene to prevent another crash until the vehicle was removed by A-1 Towing. At least one mailbox was damaged. Rural Metro officials said law enforcement was unavailable to respond, so a crash investigation was not conducted.
Posted on 12/2/23 6:49AM by Sam Marsh
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Holiday Tree Arrival & Lighting Ceremony to Prompt Street Closures Next Week
A 40-foot-tall Christmas tree will be installed in downtown Grants Pass early next week. The City of Grants Pass has announced that 5th Street between G Street and the alley will be closed from Monday at 8 a.m. through January 3rd at 10 a.m. as it will be the location of the Holiday Plaza. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place next Friday, December 8th, at 6 p.m.. In the interest of public safety, G Street between 4th and 6th streets along with 5th Street from the alley to H Street will be closed that day from 3 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m.. Detours will be in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes during the event.
Posted on 12/2/23 6:38AM by Sam Marsh
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Josephine County Law Enforcement District is a Narrow Winner in Certified Election Results
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The Josephine County Clerk's Office has certified the results of the November 7th special election and the law enforcement service district came up a narrow winner. County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels certified the election on Wednesday and the results show that the Josephine County Law Enforcement District passed by a 51% to 49% tally. The difference after all the ballots were counted was 299 votes. The majority of Josephine County property owners who participated in the election voted for Measure 17-115, which will cost them 99 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. Grants Pass voters overwhelmingly passed the renewal of the $1.79 public safety levy. The count was 78.2% to 21.8% -- a difference of 5,756 votes. Henkels said the final official turnout for the election was just over 34%. A total of 23,488 voters participated in the election out of 68,936 registered voters.
Posted on 12/2/23 6:35AM by Sam Marsh
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Jackson County Sheriff's Office Participates in Annual Foster Kid Gift-Giving Program
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The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon Department of Human Services are participating this holiday season in "Foster the Love," a local program to provide Christmas presents for children in foster care. This year, there are five locations to pick up a gift tag and leave and unwrapped gift. They include the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 5179 Crater Lake Highway in Central Point, Heritage Christian Fellowship in Medford, Rainy's Corner in Sams Valley, Butte Creek Baptist Church in Eagle Point and Country Roots Salon in Eagle Point. New this year is a family-friendly event at the Sheriff's Office. On Monday, from 4-6 p.m.,Santa Claus will be at the Sheriff's Office to meet with kids and take pictures. Here's how it works: grab a tag at one of the five locations, purchase a gift for that child, and return the gift to the tree in a gift bag (unwrapped) anytime the business is open or plan to bring it to the December 4th party at the Sheriff's Office. The deadline for dropping off gifts is Monday, December 11th, at noon. Thank you for helping to put a smile on the face of a local foster child!
Posted on 12/2/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
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