Local News

Deputies Jailed Man for Stealing Trailer and Trying to Sell It on Social Media Site
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for stealing a trailer and transmission in the Hugo area and then trying to sell the items on social media. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 44-year-old Lance Tyler Huggins, Jr., in the 700-block of Ort Lane in Merlin on Wednesday afternoon. Deputies said they received a report that a 12-foot dump trailer and transmission were stolen from a property in the 5100-block of Tunnel Loop Road last weekend. An investigation discovered that Huggins was attempting to sell those same items on Facebook Marketplace and they were located on the Ort Lane property. Lance Huggins was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1st-Degree Theft and the resulting Probation Violation related to past arrests for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, and 4th-Degree Assault. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. The stolen trailer and transmission were returned to their rightful owner who requested that Huggins and a woman identified as "Jessica Grinager" be trespassed from his property.
Posted on 12/1/23 6:45AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Collared Statewide Fugitive after Responding to New Hope Road Call
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant following a reported disturbance in the New Hope area this week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a report that 35-year-old Jonathan Lee Messer threw a punch at another man at a home in the 4,000-block of New Hope Road on Wednesday night. Deputies said the victim called from a neighbor's house because he did not have a phone. The caller said he managed to dodge the punch, but he was unhappy with Messer's increasingly aggressive behavior. The suspect left the home and went to a single-wide trailer on the back of the property. While on the way to the call, deputies discovered that Messer was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation related to a conviction for a weapons offense. Upon arrival, they entered the trailer, followed him to a back room and placed him into custody without incident. Jonathan Messer was transported to Grants Pass and booked into the Josephine County Jail on the outstanding warrant. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 12/1/23 6:43AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Corrections Client for Trying to Cheat on Mandatory Drug Test
Grants Pass Police jailed a Josephine County Community Corrections client this week who attempted to cheat on a mandatory urine test. The Police Department reports officers were called to the Community Corrections Office on NW 4th Street on Wednesday. Police said 43-year-old Peter Anthony Rivera was in possession of someone else's urine in a container that he was using to provide his corrections officer with a false urine sample. He was required to provide the urine sample to show that he was not using any drugs. Rivera eventually admitted that his intention was to cover up recent drug use. He was placed into custody and the urine container was seized as evidence. Peter Rivera was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Falsifying Drug Test Results and a Felony Parole Violation stemming from previous convictions for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, 1st-Degree Rape, 2nd-Degree Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. He was held without bail.
Posted on 12/1/23 6:42AM by Sam Marsh
 

Red Cross Offers Safety Tips as 1st Winter Storm Enters Pacific NW Region
A Winter Storm Watch will be in place in many parts of Oregon and southwest Washington over the next few days, which means the mountains are expected to see heavy snow and the valleys will see heavy rain. Winds will be gusty at times. The Cascades Region of the American Red Cross has some tips to weather the storm, whether you are staying home or if you have plans to travel over the passes. For those who are traveling, Red Cross officials urges motorists to allow enough time to get where you are going. Keep a snow shovel, ice scraper, blankets, warm clothes and other emergency supplies in your vehicle. Don't drive through large puddles or flooded areas, and watch for fallen trees and power lines. Don't follow other vehicles too closely as sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways. Never use cruise control when driving in winter weather and don't pass snowplows. For those who are staying home, officials encourage residents to stay warm by making sure you can safely heat your residence. Make sure your gas fireplace or other heating sources are working properly. Dress in layers, and check insulation, caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. Learn how to keep your pipes from freezing. Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to keep your home safe. Keep generators outside. Stay connected through local media sources. Have a battery-operated radio. Gather at least two weeks of emergency supplies including non-perishable foods, water and medications. For more information, download the Red Cross Emergency App.
Posted on 12/1/23 6:38AM by Sam Marsh
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Deadline for City of Grants Pass Public Safety Funding Survey is Monday Morning at 10
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If you reside or own a business within the city limits of Grants Pass, you're on the clock. The deadline to complete the public safety funding survey is early Monday. Despite the passage of the public safety levy last month, the Grants Pass Police Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue still face a critical funding shortfall. The City of Grants Pass has created a survey that is open to residents and business owners within the city limits so they may weigh in on how they would like to resolve the public safety funding issue. The deadline is Monday at 10 a.m.. The survey presents six options: 1) a public safety utility fee of about $27 each month per household and about $88 each month for most businesses and nonprofits, 2) a food and beverage tax of about 7% on prepared food and beverage purchases within the city, 3) a general sales tax of about 2% on retail purchases in the city excluding groceries and prescription medications, 4) a combination utility fee and sales tax, 5) a combination utility fee and food & beverage tax, or 6) a significant staff reduction in police and fire personnel. It should be noted that all of these options can be put into effect by the Grants Pass City Council without voter approval. However, the City Council voted to survey residents and business owners before making a decision. Those wishing to take the survey can visit "survey.alchemer.com/s3/7615203/City-of-Grants-Pass-Public-Safety-Funding-Options."
Posted on 12/1/23 6:31AM by Sam Marsh
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New Rebate Program Funds 370 Level 2 EV Charging Ports in Oregon including Ashland
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Electric vehicle drivers should see about 370 new public "Level 2" EV charging ports in communities across the state in 2024, thanks to the first funding round from Oregon's new Community Charging Rebates program. The rebates program reimburses some of the project costs of buying and installing Level 2 EV chargers at multi-family homes and publicly accessible parking areas. The program's first funding round ran from June through October this year and had $1.75 million available. Every dollar was awarded to communities across the state, but the only Southern Oregon city receiving new EV charging ports was Ashland. The City of Ashland will receive four Level 2 EV chargers costing $92,500. Two will be placed in government entity rights-of-way and two will be placed in public parking lots or garages.
Posted on 12/1/23 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
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North Valley High School Christmas Bazaar Features Local Vendors and Great Food
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It's one of the biggest holiday sales in Josephine County -- North Valley High School's Christmas Bazaar is this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Christmas Bazaar features local vendors selling handmade products and the NVHS Metal Shop will have signs and other projects for sale. Warm your belly with some famous taco soup, sandwiches and desserts. The entry fee is only $1 or a new toy that can be donated for the local Toys for Tots program or a non-perishable food item to donate to the needy. There will be lots of other local fundraisers at the annual bazaar as well. From the Grants Pass area, take Interstate 5 north to the Merlin Exit and follow the signs to 6741 Monument Drive for the North Valley High School Christmas Bazaar.
Posted on 12/1/23 6:28AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Jailed Man for Stealing & Trying to Sell Trailer on Social Media Site
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for stealing a trailer and transmission in the Hugo area and then trying to sell the items on social media. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 44-year-old Lance Tyler Huggins, Jr., in the 700-block of Ort Lane in Merlin on Wednesday around 3:50 p.m.. Deputies said they received a report that a 12-foot dump trailer and transmission were stolen from a property in the 5100-block of Tunnel Loop Road last weekend. An investigation discovered that Huggins was attempting to sell those same items on Facebook Marketplace and they were located on the Ort Lane property. Lance Huggins was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1st-Degree Theft and the resulting Probation Violation related to past arrests for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, and 4th-Degree Assault. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. The stolen trailer and transmission were returned to their rightful owner who requested that Huggins and a woman identified as "Jessica Grinager" be trespassed from his property.
Posted on 11/30/23 11:37AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Collared Statewide Fugitive after Responding to New Hope Road Call
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant following a reported disturbance in the New Hope area last night. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a report that 35-year-old Jonathan Lee Messer threw a punch at another man at a home in the 4,000-block of New Hope Road on Wednesday at 6:11 p.m.. Deputies said the victim called from a neighbor's house because he did not have a phone. The caller said he managed to dodge the punch, but he was unhappy with Messer's increasingly aggressive behavior. The suspect left the home and went to a single-wide trailer on the back of the property. While on the way to the call, deputies discovered that Messer was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation related to a conviction for a weapons offense. Upon arrival, they entered the trailer, followed him to a back room and placed him into custody without incident at 7:02 p.m.. Jonathan Messer was transported to Grants Pass and booked into the Josephine County Jail on the outstanding warrant. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 11/30/23 11:35AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Woman for Probation Violation after She Entered Dad's Home
Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for violating terms of her probation by entering the home of her father against his wishes late last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to a trespassing complaint in the 700-block of NW 2nd Street on Wednesday shortly before 11 p.m.. Police said a man called 9-1-1 to report that his daughter -- 41-year-old Gayle Lee Hooper -- was inside his residence and refusing to leave. The father said he did not invite his daughter into his home and she entered on her own accord. He also said his daughter was on probation with the stipulation that she not contact him. Upon arrival, officers contacted Hooper inside the home and ordered her to leave, but she refused and was placed into custody. Her corrections officer was contacted and they requested she be placed on a detainer. Gayle Hooper was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and the resulting Probation Violation related to past arrests for Disorderly Conduct, Offensive Littering and Criminal Trespass. She was held without bail.
Posted on 11/30/23 11:34AM by Sam Marsh
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One Motorist Hurt and Another Cited after Redwood Highway Collision in CJ
One motorist was hurt and another was cited following a crash that occurred on Redwood Highway in Cave Junction late yesterday. On Wednesday at 5:29 p.m., the Oregon State Police, Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision on US Highway 199 at Waldamar Road. IVFD officials said the crash was a rear-end collision, but OSP did not provide any details. The agency did identify the involved parties as 48-year-old Teri Mickey of Cave Junction who was driving and Oldsmobile sedan and 32-year-old Autumn Cochrane of Seattle, Washington, who was driving an undisclosed vehicle. One person was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center with injuries and at least one of the vehicles was towed. OSP reported the unidentified at-fault driver was cited for Following Too Closely.
Posted on 11/30/23 11:32AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Routine Stop on Redwood Highway in GP
The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a routine traffic stop on Redwood Highway in south Grants Pass late last night. According to OSP, troopers stopped a Dodge Durango driven by 34-year-old Monica Isabel Cuchiara on Wednesday at 11:28 p.m. for parking in a no parking zone near the intersection of US Highway 199 and Redwood Avenue. Upon contact with Cuchiara, troopers said she displayed signs of impairment and made statements about recently driving. She refused to participate in field sobriety tests or to provide a breath sample, so a search warrant was obtained and she was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. After waiting for a phlebotomist at the hospital for over an hour, Cuchiara was then taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where she provided a breath sample that was well over the legal driving limit. She was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Driving. Her vehicle was impounded.
Posted on 11/30/23 11:31AM by Sam Marsh
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