Local News

Firefighter Assigned to Flat Fire Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash near Powers
A firefighter assigned to the Flat Fire burning in eastern Curry County was killed in an off-duty motor vehicle accident near Powers late last week. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest identified the fallen firefighter as 21-year-old Benjamin Charles Sapper, who was originally from Boulder, Colorado. Sapper was working as a first-year hand crew member on the Gold Beach Ranger District. He graduated from Boulder High School and the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics. He joined the Forest Service out of a desire to serve the community and be part of a great team. Sapper was looking forward to starting graduate school this fall at the University of British Columbia in Earth Sciences. Gold Beach District Ranger Kailey Guerrant said it was a devastating loss of one of their own firefighters. She said there is a tight-knit community on the Gold Beach and Powers Ranger districts, and they stand together in grief and support for Sapper's family, friends and fellow firefighters during this heartbreaking time.
Posted on 8/7/23 6:32AM by Sam Marsh
 

Rogue Valley Agency Posts Water Safety Watch for Jackson County Creeks
Routine water testing results indicate that four creeks in Jackson County have exceeded state bacteria standards for contact recreation such as swimming and wading. According to a press release from the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, a Safety Watch is in effect for Neil Creek at Dead Indian Memorial Road in Ashland; Bear Creek between Suncrest Road and Coyote Trails Nature Center in Medford, Phoenix and Talent; Jackson Creek between Jacksonville and Beall Lane in Central Point; and Bear Creek between Pine Street and Kirtland Road in Central Point. Possible causes of high levels of bacteria in the creeks include pet waste, livestock waste, wild animal waste, leaking septic systems, illegal dumping from portable toilets or recreational vehicles, or any other activity that results in the discharge of fecal matter directly into creeks through storm drains. Residents are urged to use caution when in contact with any of these waterways and especially to avoid ingestion which may cause illness and contact with open wounds which may cause infection. Very young children should be supervised when playing in the water to avoid swallowing it.
Posted on 8/7/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
 

US Forest Service Drawing Down Resources as Flat Fire Containment Slowly Increases
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The US Forest Service continues to gradually draw down personnel assigned to Oregon's largest wildfire as containment of the blaze slowly increases. Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 2 reported this morning that the Flat Fire was 33,266 acres with containment increased to 39%. The fire started July 5th at Oak Flat Campground and investigators have confirmed it to be human-caused. There was a total of 795 personnel assigned to the Flat Fire today including 14 hand crews backed by 22 engines, 29 water tenders, nine helicopters and two bulldozers. Incident managers said crews continued to make good progress on mop-up and assessing areas for potential contingency lines while performing aerial ignitions to remove unburned pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter. They said firefighters remain ready for any potential changes in fire activity, with a slight warming and drying trend anticipated throughout the coming week. Smaller fuels are burning, but bigger fuels still have higher moisture content, limiting the ability of the fire to spread and ignite other fuels. Firefighters are securing and improving existing containment lines to keep the fire within its current footprint. Structure protection resources remain in place around Agness, actively surveying and conducting structure assessments. Smoke created by helicopter and drone aerial ignitions in the southwest corner of the fire near the headwaters of Lawson Creek and in the Game Lake area may be visible from surrounding areas and may impact local air quality.
Posted on 8/7/23 6:26AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Officers & Firefighters Remain "On Task" While Protecting Community
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Grants Pass police officers and firefighters were on task last week while protecting the community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 758 calls for service and 269 officer-initiated calls that resulted in 60 arrests, 38 citations, 46 warnings and five people being lodged at the Sobering Center. The Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 100 contacts with potential trouble-makers while arresting three people, citing 33 more and warning 66 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 28 individuals and posted 45 new transient camps. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 122 calls last week including 34 for emergency medical service, eight for reports of fire or smoke, 18 lift assists, six rescue situations, six assists to other agencies and six false alarms. Firefighters also conducted 38 business inspections, led two education programs, assisted the public 10 times and properly installed three child car seats. The 9-1-1 Dispatch Center fielded a total of 1,356 emergency calls last week in addition to more than 1,000 calls for non-emergency service.
Posted on 8/7/23 6:19AM by Sam Marsh
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Jackson County Launches New "Sheriffs App" High-Tech Citizen Communication Tool
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The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce the launch of a new high-tech communication tool. The Sheriff's App is available for download right now by scanning the QR code or searching for "JC Sheriff OR" in your devices App store. The Sheriff's App is the quickest way to receive updates from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office on events affecting the community. After downloading the App, choose to allow notifications and important alerts will come directly to your phone. Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler said the App will allow the community to communicate more effectively with his office. He said the App will provide emergency notifications directly to the user as well as alerts for road closures, high-risk incidents, wanted suspects and major crimes. Additional features of the App include the "Submit a Tip" button, the "Contact Us" link to emergency and non-emergency dispatch, the "Jail" link with a current list of who's in custody, the "Permits/CHL" link for concealed handgun licensing and the "Share My Trip" tool that allows Search & Rescue to find missing people faster.
Posted on 8/7/23 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
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US Forest Service Still Drawing Down Resources on Oregon's Largest Wildfire
The US Forest Service continues to draw down human resources assigned to Oregon's largest wildfire and a new incident management team has taken over. Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 2 reported this morning that the Flat Fire was 32,732 acres and containment was estimated to be 30%. The fire started July 15th at the Oak Flat Campground and investigators say it was human-caused. Total personnel assigned to the wildfire today is 997 including 16 hand crews backed by 41 engines, 27 water tenders, nine helicopters, four brush-clearing masticators and one bulldozer. On Friday, burning was successful in removing remaining interior fuel between the containment line and the fire's edge near the headwaters of Lawson Creek and at Game Lake. Firefighters again used a helitorch to improve fuels consumption in the brush and shrub vegetation inside the Biscuit Fire scar. Crews continue to work on reducing heat in the north fork of Indigo Creek using water bucket drops from helicopters to secure the containment line. Structure protection resources continue scouting for an identifying additional homes and buildings that may be threatened by the wildfire.
Posted on 8/5/23 10:49AM by Sam Marsh
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Williams Man Jailed for Assaulting Wife Who Came to Aid of 10-Year-Old Son
A Williams area man was jailed this week for allegedly assaulting his wife while she was trying to stop him from harassing one of their children. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 51-year-old Mischa Matthew Powell for the incident in the 5500-block of Munger Creek Road on Thursday night. Deputies said Powell's wife called 9-1-1 to report that her husband was intoxicated and got upset over their 10-year-old son vomiting, so he held the boy's face under a water hose. She said the boy was having trouble breathing and he was choking on the water. When she tried to help her son, her husband reportedly slapped her. According to the report, the woman stated her husband has been known to get overly physical with their four children. She took the children and fled the home, calling from a Dodge Caravan that was hidden behind a building on the property. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed the involved parties and then placed Mischa Powell into custody. He was charged with Domestic Strangulation and Domestic Harassment, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail where he was being held without bail.
Posted on 8/5/23 6:41AM by Sam Marsh
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Young Central Point Man Jailed for White City Assault that Sent Victim to ICU
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office jailed a young Central Point man last night for a serious assault that sent another man to the intensive care unit of a local hospital. On Friday at 11:06 p.m., deputies were patrolling in the 7600-block of Crater Lake Highway in White City when they heard what sounded like a physical fight in the Li'l Pantry parking lot. Deputies responded and located the victim lying on the ground with injuries that required immediate medical treatment. The unidentified victim was transported by Mercy Flights ambulance to a local hospital and he was in serious condition in the ICU. The suspect was not on scene. At 11:09 p.m., deputies located and stopped the suspect's vehicle in the 8300-block of Agate Road. The suspect -- 19-year-old Clifton Michael Struble -- was placed into custody without incident. Struble was booked and lodged in the Jackson County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault and 2nd-Degree Disorderly Conduct. The investigation is continuing, with deputies following additional leads.
Posted on 8/5/23 6:39AM by Sam Marsh
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Community Corrections Client Jailed for Trying to Trick Mandatory Drug Test
A Josephine County Community Corrections client was jailed this week for trying to fraudulently pass a mandatory drug test. According to Community Corrections, Grants Pass Police arrested 43-year-old Erik Theil Rowe at their office on NW 4th Street late Thursday afternoon. Police said Rowe used a device holding synthetic urine in an attempt to falsify a drug test required by his post-prison supervision related to a conviction for felony-level sex crimes. They said he admitted to the fraud attempt after being advised of his Miranda rights. Erik Rowe was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Tampering with Drug Records and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 8/5/23 6:38AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Arrested Motorist for Impaired Driving after Traffic Stop in Downtown GP
The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a traffic stop in downtown Grants Pass early yesterday. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Mazda B20 driven by 24-year-old Jason Christopher Claffey near the corner of SE 7th Street and Voorhies Way on Friday at 12:05 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped Claffey for speeding and he displayed strong signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests, so he was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was nearly twice the legal driving limit. Jason Claffey was lodged at the Sobering Center for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Driving. His vehicle was impounded.
Posted on 8/5/23 6:36AM by Sam Marsh
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Jackson County Launches New Sheriff's App High-Tech Communication Tool
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce the launch of a new high-tech communication tool. The Sheriff's App is available for download right now by scanning the QR code or searching for "JC Sheriff OR" in your devices App store. The Sheriff's App is the quickest way to receive updates from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office on events affecting the community. After downloading the App, choose to allow notifications and important alerts will come directly to your phone. Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler said the App will allow the community to communicate more effectively with his office. He said the App will provide emergency notifications directly to the user as well as alerts for road closures, high-risk incidents, wanted suspects and major crimes. Additional features of the App include the "Submit a Tip" button, the "Contact Us" link to emergency and non-emergency dispatch, the "Jail" link with a current list of who's in custody, the "Permits/CHL" link for concealed handgun licensing and the "Share My Trip" tool that allows Search & Rescue to find missing people faster.
Posted on 8/5/23 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Department Celebrates Retirement of Former Detective Ryan Brown
The Grants Pass Police Department recently celebrated the life-touching career of Detective Ryan Brown, who decided to hang up his badge after 26 years of service to this community. Detective Brown began his law enforcement career with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office before transferring to the Grants Pass Police Department. He previously served in the United States Navy before joining law enforcement. Brown has served as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, SWAT team member and major crimes detective, just to name a few of his assignments. He has touched the lives of many citizens, victims and officers while sending countless criminals to prison. During his retirement, Ryan will spend more time with his family. Congratulations Ryan Brown!
Posted on 8/5/23 6:28AM by Sam Marsh
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