Local News

Deputies Collared Woman on Statewide Warrant after Fish Hatchery Road Calls
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a woman on a statewide felony warrant after a weekend investigation into suspicious activity in the Fish Hatchery area. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to reports of an abandoned, unlicensed and decrepit Pace Arrow motorhome parked on the shoulder of Fish Hatchery Road near Felkner Road on Saturday at about 3:25 p.m.. Deputies said the callers reported two women were occasionally seen around the motorhome and they were worried about possible criminal activity including drug use and prostitution. They were also concerned about the risk of fire. Upon arrival, deputies contacted 47-year-old Andrea Veneca Hanson and placed her into custody when they discovered that she was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation stemming from a conviction for Crimes Against a Person. Hanson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail.
Posted on 8/28/23 10:56AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Captured Statewide Fugitive after Fruitdale Area Narcotics Overdose
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on a statewide felony warrant while investigating a possible weekend drug overdose in the Fruitdale area. The Police Department reports officers responded to assist medics with a reported overdose in the 1700-block of Darrell Circle on Saturday around 4 p.m.. Police said 34-year-old Christopher Patrick McLaughlin was unresponsive until he was provided with two doses of Narcan. When he woke up, they said he fled out the window of the residence and ran down the Fruitdale Trail. He surrendered to officers and it was discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. After being medically cleared by paramedics, McLaughlin was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 8/28/23 10:55AM by Sam Marsh
 

OSP Apprehended 4 Fugitives during Weekend Incidents in Josephine County
The Oregon State Police apprehended four fugitives during weekend incidents in Josephine County. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Friday morning when troopers contacted and arrested 29-year-old Dennis Alan Knight in the 200-block of West Watkins Street in Cave Junction. Knight was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged without bail on three counts Felony Parole Violation. The second incident happened midday Friday when troopers pulled over a Nissan Pathfinder driven by 31-year-old Brooks Andrew Hedgepeth at NE 7th and Steiger streets in Grants Pass. Troopers said they stopped Hedgepeth for traffic violations and discovered that he was wanted on multiple felony warrants. The third incident took place on Saturday morning when troopers contacted a pedestrian identified as 28-year-old Jake Thompson in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near milepost 57. Thompson's corrections officer asked that he be detained on an outstanding arrest warrant. The fourth incident occurred on Sunday evening when troopers responded to reports of a man lying face down on the shoulder of southbound I-5 near milepost 76. Troopers said they contacted 27-year-old Allen Totten Behrle and found him to be wanted on a Josephine County warrant.
Posted on 8/28/23 10:54AM by Sam Marsh
 

Troopers Arrested Motorist for DUII after Weekend Traffic Stop on RR Highway
The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving and a warrant during a weekend traffic stop on Rogue River Highway in southeast Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford Focus driven by 24-year-old Patrick Wayne Weldon-Smith on Highway 99 near Parkdale Drive at 12:35 a.m. Saturday. Troopers said they stopped Weldon-Smith for multiple traffic violations and he showed multiple signs of impairment. He was also wanted on a local warrant and performed poorly in field sobriety tests, so he was placed into custody. Weldon-Smith was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. He was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and the failure to appear bench warrant. He was cited and released, but his car was impounded.
Posted on 8/28/23 10:52AM by Sam Marsh
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Favorable Weather Conditions Should Help Limit Activity on Flat Fire This Week
More favorable weather conditions on the Flat Fire over the next few days should help limit activity on the Flat Fire, allowing crews to continue toward full suppression efforts. Southwest Incident Management Team 3 reported this morning that the Flat Fire was holding at 34,242 acres and containment remained 58%. The human-caused fire started July 15th at the Oak Flat Campground near Agness in Curry County. Total personnel assigned to the wildfire today is 414 including 11 hand crews, 17 engines, 16 water tenders, four brush-clearing masticators, three helicopters and three bulldozers. An initial attack group continues to support the US Forest Service on the Cedar, Anvil and Barklow fires, which are burning north of the Flat Fire. Flat Fire crews focused efforts again near the north and northeast sides of the blaze, conducting suppression repair work along trails, within culverts and other areas of importance. Resources also started chipping operations there as part of the overall suppression effort. Due to extreme terrain on the eastern flank, aircraft continue to fly daily, providing intelligence and looking for any lingering heat or smokes in the interior of the wildfire. The heat is not a threat to containment lines. On the south and west sides of the fire, resources are patrolling line to ensure stability and checking for any interior smokes. Suppression repair work to the dozer line continues along with backhauling of excess equipment and supplies back to camp. The Level 1 "Get Ready" evacuation status remains in place for all areas in the vicinity of the Flat Fire.
Posted on 8/28/23 6:43AM by Sam Marsh
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ODF and Other Agencies Battled Several Lightning-Caused Fires over Weekend
The Oregon Department of Forestry and other agencies have been engaged on several lightning-caused wildfires that were sparked late last week. ODF officials reported Sunday that night-shift crews assigned to the Whisky Creek Fire located near the west fork of Whiskey Creek north of the Rogue River were able to contain a five-acre fire that jumped hand-line. The Whiskey Creek Fire is located in a remote, steep, bowl-like features that creates many operational challenges. Firefighters have to hike in all resources and they are unable to use bulldozers or position engines near the fire. Crews also have limited air support due to thick smoke and limited visibility for pilots. Officials updated the Whiskey Creek Fire size to 30 acres yesterday. On the 17-acre Thunder Ranch Fire located southeast of Galice, nightshift crews were able to mop-up 20 feet into the fire perimeter and day crews continued mop-up operations and strengthened control lines. ODF crews were able to contain, hold and mop up the 5-acre Cheney Creek Fire located south of Wilderville, the quarter-acre Crooks Creek Fire south of Wonder and the Jackson County Medco Fire located south of Prospect. These fires remain in patrol status. There are no structures threatened, no evacuations or closed roads. Extreme fire danger remains in effect in Josephine and Jackson counties.
Posted on 8/28/23 6:42AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Man for Intentionally Setting Fire to Tree Stump near Business
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for intentionally setting fire to a tree stump in the downtown area over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 38-year-old Travis Randal Davenport for the incident near Burton's Rare Coins on SE I Street on Saturday at 12:49 p.m.. Police said multiple callers reported Davenport tried to light the coin business on fire and then lit a nearby tree trunk on fire, putting the business in danger. People with fire extinguishers were able to put out the flames and Grants Pass firefighters responded to make sure they stayed out. The suspect fled the scene on foot, but he was tracked down near the Purple Parrot on SE J Street and placed into custody. Travis Davenport was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Arson. He was being held without bail pending his court arraignment today.
Posted on 8/28/23 6:40AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Jailed GP Man for Roughing Up and Threatening Woman East of City
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Grants Pass man for roughing up and threatening a woman at a residence located just east of the city. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 65-year-old Kim Lee Franklin for the incident that occurred in the 2200-block of West Jones Creek Road on Saturday at 6:15 p.m.. Deputies said a caller reported that Franklin was holding the 50-year-old female victim against her will and threatened to use bear spray on anyone who came near his property. The caller reported their mother had also been assaulted by the suspect, but they were not sure exactly where the suspect lived. According to the report, the caller asked what would happen if he beat up the suspect and he was advised not to do that as it would not be safe and he could face criminal charges. Deputies said the victim was able to escape and she met them in the parking lot of the Sheriff's Office. Following an interview, deputies responded to Franklin's home, placed him into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Menacing and Domestic Harassment.
Posted on 8/28/23 6:39AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Motorist for Felony Weapon and Drug Crimes in Traffic Stop
Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for felony weapon and drug crimes after a weekend traffic stop on Redwood Highway. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Devonte Lovell Clark on US Highway 199 near Ringuette Street on Sunday around 12:15 a.m.. Police said they stopped Clark due to unreasonable noise and expired registration tags on his vehicle. They said a consent search uncovered a short-barreled shotgun and a large amount of cocaine. He was placed into custody while the shotgun and narcotics were seized as evidence. Devonte Clark was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on four felony charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun, Possession of Cocaine and Delivery of Cocaine. He was also cited to appear in court for No Valid Operator's License, No Insurance, Failure to Register Vehicle and Illegal Window Tinting. A female companion with Clark was detained and then released.
Posted on 8/28/23 6:31AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Nabbed Motorist for DUII during Weekend Patrol Check at City Park
Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a weekend patrol check at a city park. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 56-year-old Scott Dary Adams at Gilbert Creek Park on NW Hawthorne Avenue on Saturday shortly after 8 p.m.. Police said they observed Adams driving on a public roadway and they knew that his driving privileges had been suspended. Upon contact, the suspect displayed signs of narcotics use and he admitted to using methamphetamine before driving. Adams reportedly made mention of an attorney, provided a negative breath sample for alcohol and refused to provide a urine sample that would detect narcotics use. He was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. Scott Adams was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, Driving While Suspended and Refusing to Provide a Urine Sample.
Posted on 8/28/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
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GP City Council Holding Executive Session before Bi-Weekly Workshop Today
The Grants Pass City Council will gather today for a Special Meeting in Executive Session that precedes its bi-weekly workshop session. The closed-door meeting is being held for real property transactions and/or negotiations. It was not disclosed why the Executive Session is being held before the workshop when it normally comes afterward. Following the Executive Session, the first topic for the workshop is the Allenwood and Sky Crest properties along with a staff presentation on Reinhart Volunteer Park vegetation. The City Council will conclude the session by reviewing the agenda for upcoming meetings that include motions from the Parks Advisory Committee, Historical Buildings & Sites Commission and Tourism Advisory Committee. 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 8/28/23 6:27AM by Sam Marsh
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Law Enforcement Agencies Monitoring School Zone Speeds as Classes Begin
Schools are coming back in session all around Southern Oregon and local law enforcement agencies say speed zones will be in effect and monitored closely. The school zone speed limit is 20 miles per hour in Oregon, but each zone may have different requirements. Some of the speed zone requirements include school days between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., whenever children are present or when the school zone light is flashing. Law enforcement officials encourage motorists to be cautious when driving in school zones and help keep kids safe. Please remember to slow down in school zones and refresh on your duties as a motorist at bus stops. Children entering new schools -- such as 6th-graders and freshmen -- will be in class today while the rest of the student bodies will join them on Tuesday.
Posted on 8/28/23 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
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