Local News

Salvation Army Hope House Center Opens with Generous Support of Donors
The Salvation Army is proud to announce the opening of The Hope House Recreational and Wellness Center in Medford. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last seek for the transformative community space aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being, educational opportunities and community engagement at 1065 Crews Road. This new space was made possible by the generous support of community partners and donors. It embodies The Salvation Army's commitment to serve those in need and fostering a sense of hope and empowerment. The Hope House features comprehensive amenities including an exercise room, a computer lab for job and housing searches, afterschool tutoring programs, and special recreational spaces for individuals and families.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:26AM by Chuck Benson
 

GP Crews and Volunteers Sprucing Up Parks in Advance of Outdoor Rec Season
The Parks Division of the Grants Pass Community Development Department has been busy preparing for the upcoming outdoor recreation seasons. According to Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, contractors have begun the process of dismantling the outdated play structure at Reinhart Volunteer Park. He said the project is advancing steadily and the anticipated completion is in April. Cubic said park staff removed a dead tree at the Grants Pass Police Department and replanted two new American Hornbeams in front of the main entrance this week. They will provide a nice splash of red color in the fall. A big thank you goes out to the Rogue Pickleball Club who generously contributed two new sets of bench components to the parks. Staff painted the lumber and put together the new bench addition
Posted on 3/16/24 4:24AM by Chuck Benson
 

Grants Pass Fire Rescue Personnel Undergo Hazmat Training
Hazmat Team 8 from Medford, the regional Hazmat team for Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, and Lake counties, came to Grant Pass this week to conduct detailed hazmat training for all the fire departments in Josephine County. “We're collaborating together in order to learn and become more effective and efficient when it comes to hazardous materials incidents,” said Wayne Nelson, Battalion Chief with Grants Pass Fire Rescue. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office coordinates with 13 regional Hazmat teams. The state funds the Hazmat teams and provides training and equipment. The regions are designed to be able to respond to a hazmat incident within a two-hour drive time, according to Nelson. The training conducted this week involved three scenarios: A life safety drill, technical decontamination, and emergency decontamination from fire trucks.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:22AM by Chuck Benson
 

Missing Exterior Panel Discovered Missing on Boeing Plane on Arrival in Medford
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The latest in a string of mishaps on Boeing airplanes was discovered Friday on an arriving flight at the Medford International Airport According to the Oregonian an exterior panel of a Boeing 737 carrying passengers on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Medford appears to have torn off mid-flight Friday, marking the latest in a string of recent high-profile mishaps for Boeing planes.
United said the panel was missing from a spot where one of the wings meets the aircraft’s body, near the landing gear. United did not answer questions about what caused the panel to fall off. The plane is a Boeing 737-800, according to United, though the FAA lists it as a Boeing 737-824. It is not a Boeing 737 Max 9, which is the model of plane that made an emergency landing in Portland after a door plug flew off of the Alaska Airlines aircraft about six minutes into a Jan. 5 flight. Friday’s Flight 433 landed shortly before noon as scheduled at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport, said airport Director Amber Judd. United said none of the 139 passengers and six crew members were injured. It was only after the plane was on the ground that the problem was found, Judd said.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:16AM by Chuck Benson
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Deputies Jailed Man for Violating Court Order by Entering Mother's House
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for violating a court order by entering his mother's residence near Grants Pass early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies were alerted to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 2700-block of Elk Lane on Thursday around 2 a.m.. Deputies said the mother was at work when she called 9-1-1 to report that her 50-year-old son had entered her house and started yelling at her two roommates while taking a bath in the kitchen sink. The caller told dispatchers there was a restraining order protecting her from her son and he had reportedly started breaking things inside her residence. The woman stated her roommates locked themselves in their bedroom to avoid a confrontation with the suspect, who was complaining about his cat not being fed correctly. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the man, confirmed the court order and placed him into custody. The suspect was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation
Posted on 3/15/24 10:22AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Arrested Woman for Causing Disturbance at GP Area Trailer Park
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested an older woman early yesterday for causing a disturbance at a trailer park located just east of Grants Pass. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the reported incident at Moon Mountain RV Resort on Pearce Park Road on Thursday at about 4:45 a.m.. Deputies said several people called 9-1-1 after a 75-year-old woman started yelling and screaming outside their RVs. One caller reported the woman was throwing rocks at his trailer, but there was no property damage. Another caller stated it was an ongoing problem and that the woman had frightened his young daughter. Responding deputies contacted the woman and placed her into custody after she refused to calm down. The reason for her frequent outbursts was not disclosed. The suspect was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was booked for Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail.
Posted on 3/15/24 10:18AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Arrested Man on California & Local Warrants after Fruitdale Stop
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on both out-of-state and local felony warrants yesterday during a traffic stop in the southeast part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a gold sedan driven by a 32-year-old man on Fruitdale Drive at 11:36 a.m. Thursday. Police said they stopped the motorist for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device and Cell Phone Use While Driving. A routine records check showed the man was wanted on felony warrants in Contra Costa, California, and Josephine County. The local warrant contained a secret indictment for felony impaired driving. The fugitive was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on $225,000 bail. He was also cited for the traffic violations. It was unclear in the report if the California warrant was extraditable.
Posted on 3/15/24 10:16AM by Sam Marsh
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GPPD Assisted RADE Detectives by Jailing Man Wanted on State Warrant
The Grants Pass Police Department assisted Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) when they arrested two people on outstanding warrants in the northeast part of the city last night. On Thursday at 7:14 p.m., the Police Department reports RADE detectives provided information to officers that a 39-year-old man wanted on a statewide felony warrant was at a home in the 1400-block of NE 10th Street. Officers swooped in and arrested the man who was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous robbery conviction. A 47-year-old woman with the man was found to be wanted on a Linn County warrant for failing to appear in court for impaired driving. The statewide fugitive was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer, while his female companion was cited to appear in court and released.
Posted on 3/15/24 10:14AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Man on Outside Warrants and More at SE City Market
Grants Pass Police arrested a man on two out-of-county warrants this week during a patrol check at a southeast city convenience store. According to the Police Department, officers spotted a suspicious vehicle behind Kings Market on SE N Street on Wednesday night. Police said a records check revealed that the vehicle belonged to a 42-year-old man who was wanted on two Douglas County warrants for Felony Criminal Mischief and misdemeanor Driving While Suspended. They located the man in the gambling area of the market. Officers detained the man and learned that he was also wanted on a warrant issued by the Santiam Correctional Institution in Salem. In addition, he was identified as a fugitive out of Arizona. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 3/15/24 10:13AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Nabbed Eagle Point Man for Causing Highway 238 Traffic Disruption
The Oregon State Police arrested an Eagle Point man for causing traffic disruption on Williams Highway near Provolt early today. According to OSP, troopers received multiple calls about a male subject who was walking in and out of traffic near milepost 9 of Highway 238 shortly after 2 o'clock this morning. Fortunately, there were no crashes or injuries reported. Troopers responded and made contact with the 40-year-old man who was highly intoxicated and still standing on the highway. He was placed into custody. The suspect was charged with 2nd-Degree Disorderly Conduct, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 3/15/24 10:10AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Incarcerated Defiant Camper Who Refused to Leave City Park
Grants Pass Police arrested a defiant camper at a city park along the Rogue River yesterday. At Tussing Park, officers said they contacted a man who refused to leave the park after he had been issued a 30-day exclusion more than one week ago. He was placed into custody and lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. The man was also trespassed from Tussing Park for an additional 30 days and his belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping. Meanwhile, a total of 11 campsites were posted for Illegal Camping at the park and an e-mail was sent to the United Community Action Network (UCAN).
Posted on 3/15/24 10:08AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Man for Local Warrant and Spitting on Officer at Post Office
Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant and then added a felony-level charge to his criminal bill after he intentionally spat on an officer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a fight between two male subjects at the downtown Post Office on Wednesday afternoon. Police said passing motorists on NW 6th Street called 9-1-1 to report the brawl between the men, one of whom was riding a bicycle. They contacted both parties, including a 46-year-old man who was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for Disorderly Conduct. That man was placed into custody. While being placed in the backseat of a patrol vehicle, the man intentionally expelled saliva from his mouth and spit on an officer's face. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant along with a new charge of Felony Aggravated Harassment. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 3/15/24 5:50AM by Sam Marsh
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