Local News

Sunny Valley Resident Found Lost Wallet and Turned it in to State Troopers
A Sunny Valley resident turned in a lost wallet that was found this week at an Interstate 5 interchange. The Oregon State Police reports troopers were on a traffic stop on I-5 in Sunny Valley on Tuesday when a pedestrian flagged them down and turned in a wallet they found. Troopers said the lost wallet belonging to a 29-year-old San Jose, California, man was found in ditch near the I-5 interchange at milepost 71. They said the wallet contained identification and credit cards. According to OSP, troopers called two potential phone numbers in order to contact the man -- but neither phone number was good. The wallet and its contents were entered into safekeeping at the Grants Pass office of OSP.
Posted on 2/22/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh
 

Grants Pass City Council Favors Public Safety Utility Fee Over 3% Food & Beverage Tax
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The Grants Pass City Council last night said "no" to a 3% food and beverage tax in favor of a $12 utility fee to fund public safety services until the restaurant tax can be put to a public vote in November. Following a lengthy discussion regarding the amount of the fee, the City Council finally decided on $12 per month for a single-family residence. The vote was a 4-to-4 tie, with Mayor Sara Bristol casting the deciding "yes" vote. The $12 fee expanded to the average small business will be over $36 monthly. It is designed to sustain public safety at current levels, but will add no new hires in the police and fire departments. Public testimony was overwhelmingly against the food and beverage tax that would be dedicated exclusively to public safety services. Councilors voted against the tax by a 5-3 margin. The City Council then voted 7-1 to place the 3% food and beverage tax before Grants Pass voters in the November election. All prepared foods and beverages -- excluding alcohol -- would be subject to the tax. Bakery goods that are to be consumed off premises are exempt. Operators are to collect the tax and remit the proceeds quarterly to the city. Should the payment be late, the operator could be subject to a 10% penalty plus the tax itself.
Posted on 2/22/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh
 

Commission Delays Decision on Hiring Former Board Member Hare as Broadband Coordinator
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The Josephine County Board of Commissioners tabled both Administrative Action items at its weekly business meeting on Wednesday. The Board voted 2-0 to continue until next week consideration of the personal services contract with former Commissioner Simon Hare to facilitate regional broadband project coordination. Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger was absent. Commissioner Dan DeYoung requested the delay because he wants to speak with Hare in more detail about the contract. He said he had only received a copy of the contract on Tuesday and believes Baertschiger should be present for the decision. In its current form, the contract calls for Hare to serve as the liaison between the Board of Commissioners and the Josephine County Broadband Action Team as well as others. The goal is to extend broadband internet service to the more rural and underserved areas of the county. Hare would be paid $1,600 a month. The Board also tabled an intergovernmental agreement with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments for grant-writing services. It was unclear why the pact was delayed or for how long.
Posted on 2/22/24 5:53AM by Sam Marsh
 

2024 Josephine County Fair Features Sawyer Brown, The Cadillac Three & Other Entertainers
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The 2024 Josephine County Fair will "rock" some great entertainment this summer in Grants Pass. The Fair Board is pleased to announce the music headliners for the event, which runs from August 7th-11th. The theme is "Rockin' The Decades." The biggest show will be country music band Sawyer Brown, which is set for Thursday, August 8th, at the Grandstand. An 80s show called "Ikons of Rock" will be at the Grandstand on Friday, August 9th, and on Saturday, August 10th, it's The Cadillac Three -- an American rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The Grandstand shows are ticketed events, with general admission at $20 and VIP at $30 each. Remember, admission to the Josephine County Fair is free. The Fairground Pavilion Stage also has a great entertainment lineup with the Eagles tribute band "Eagle Eyes" on Wednesday, Taylor Swift tribute band "Red" on Saturday and country artist Frank Ray on Sunday. These are concerts are free. For more details about the Fair, please visit "josephinecountyfairgrounds.com."
Posted on 2/22/24 5:51AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC Delays Decision on Hiring Former Commissioner as Broadband Coordinator
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners tabled both Administrative Action items at its weekly business meeting this morning. The Board voted 2-0 to continue until next week consideration of the personal services contract with former Commissioner Simon Hare to facilitate regional broadband project coordination. Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger was absent. Commissioner Dan DeYoung requested the delay because he wants to speak with Hare in more detail about the contract. He said he had only received a copy of the contract on Tuesday and believes Baertschiger should be present for the decision. In its current form, the contract calls for Hare to serve as the liaison between the Board of Commissioners and the Josephine County Broadband Action Team as well as others. The goal is to extend broadband internet service to the more rural and underserved areas of the county. Hare would be paid $1,600 a month. The Board also tabled an intergovernmental agreement with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments for grant-writing services. It was unclear why the pact was delayed or for how long.
Posted on 2/21/24 11:13AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Snared Man for Assaulting Woman with Knife at Plumtree Lane Home
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for assaulting a woman with a knife at a home in the North Valley area late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a disturbance in the 800-block of Plumtree Lane on Tuesday at about 4:45 p.m.. Deputies said an investigation determined that 69-year-old Brannon Keith Crotts stabbed a 67-year-old woman in the wrist with a knife. The victim called 9-1-1 to report the crime as she was holding pressure on the wound. She was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment. Both Crotts and the victim were interviewed, with recorded statements taken from both parties along with an unidentified witness. Brannon Crotts was arrested for 4th-Degree Assault. For unknown reasons, he was cited to appear in court and released instead of being lodged in jail. The knife was seized as evidence.
Posted on 2/21/24 11:10AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Man on Felony Warrant after Investigating Trespassing Call
Grants Pass Police jailed a man on a local felony warrant after investigating a trespassing complaint at Foundry Village late last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to the call at the transitional housing facility on SW Foundry Street on Tuesday around 11:45 p.m.. Police said they were alerted to a male subject in the driver seat of a Subaru Outback that was parked at the facility. Officers contacted 44-year-old James Madison Crotts and learned that he was an invited guest. However, a records check revealed that Crotts was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and he was on probation from a past arrest for unspecified crimes. James Crotts was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and for Probation Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 2/21/24 11:09AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Collared Woman on Two Warrants while Performing Welfare Check
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman on two local warrants while performing a welfare check in the Hugo area yesterday. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a requested welfare check on 25-year-old Jessica McKenzie Applegate in the 4500-block of Jumpoff Joe Creek Road on Tuesday at about 12:30 p.m.. Deputies said a man employed by the Home Shopping Network called 9-1-1 to report that Applegate had spoken to an operator for over an hour, stating that she was cold, had no food and there were holes in her trailer allowing animals to enter. Upon arrival, deputies contacted Applegate and discovered that she was wanted on Jackson County and Ashland warrants, both charging her with failing to appear in court for impaired driving. No mention was made of her living situation. Jessica Applegate was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 2/21/24 11:07AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Looking for Woman Who Fled Scene of Traffic Stop on Riverbanks Road
The Oregon State Police was looking for a woman who fled the scene of a traffic stop on Riverbanks Road last night. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Mitsubishi Outback driven by a woman whom they identified as 23-year-old Annie Emmeline Dunn near milepost 20 of State Route 260 on Tuesday at 8:24 p.m.. Troopers did not give the reason for the traffic stop, but said Dunn stopped and then fled in her vehicle and no pursuit was initiated. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Annie Dunn is encouraged to dial *OSP.
Posted on 2/21/24 11:06AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Placed Brookings Woman on Mental Hold after Reports of Disabled SUV
The Oregon State Police placed a Brookings woman on a mental hold last night after responding to reports of a disabled vehicle on Redwood Highway west of Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers were alerted to a Nissan Rogue parked along US Highway 199 near milepost 6 on Tuesday at 10:14 p.m.. Troopers said the 69-year-old female occupant of the vehicle was passed out and barely responsive. There was an empty bottle of wine in the passenger seat and several empty containers of morphine pills in the center console. According to OSP, the woman stated several times that she was trying to kill herself. The woman was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center where she was placed on a Peace Officer's Protective Hold. Her SUV was towed to Grants Pass.
Posted on 2/21/24 11:04AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Evicted 4 Campers and Located Missing Person in Park Patrols
Grants Pass Police evicted four campers for committing ordinance violations in city parks on Tuesday. They also located a missing person. At Tussing Park, Shon Asbury was issued citations for Buffer Zone Violation and Utilization of Open Space. He was trespassed from the park for 30 days. At Riverside Park, Ashley Hanson, John Hanson and Amber Rockwell were cited for Illegal Camping after they failed to remove their previously posted campsites. All three were issued 30-day park exclusions. A woman identified as "Samantha Brown" was cited to appear in court on outstanding warrants. Also at Riverside Park, officers contacted a woman they identified as "Michelle Richardson" who had been reported missing. She is no longer considered missing.
Posted on 2/21/24 11:02AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Man on Warrant after Scuffle with Officers in Downtown Area
Grants Pass Police jailed a man on an outstanding warrant early yesterday after a scuffle with officers in the downtown area. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 37-year-old Kelcey Edwin Cummings at the corner of SE 7th and J streets on Tuesday around 12:30 a.m.. Police said they spotted Cummings and knew that he had a serviceable warrant for his arrest for 2nd-Degree Theft. They said he was stopped and told he was under arrest, but he fled on foot. After a quick chase, Cummings was apprehended and placed into custody -- but he continued to use active resistance against the officers. Kelcey Cummings was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Resisting Arrest and Escape. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 2/21/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh
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