Local News

New Josephine County Sheriff's Office App Now Available for Citizen Downloads
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The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is excited to announce that its new app build is complete and ready for citizens to download. Features include the ability to file online reports, submit tips, compliment staff and much more. Citizens who sign up for "push notifications" will be alerted when there is urgent news such as severe weather, fire alerts and road closures. This does not replace signing up for Citizen Alerts -- which can also be done on the app -- but it's another form of emergency communication when situations may be changing rapidly. People are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the app and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is open to feedback as they begin to use it. The Sheriff's Office tried to cover all of the bases, but won't know what is important to you unless you share with them. iPhone users can download the app at "apps.apple.com" while Android users can download the app at "play.google.com."
Posted on 3/15/24 5:15AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Felon on Statewide Warrant after Lois Lane Trespass Complaint
Grants Pass Police jailed a local felon on a statewide warrant after they found him sleeping in a vehicle in the Redwood area early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a male subject sitting in a silver Ford pickup with a canopy in the 2900-block of Lois Lane at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday. Police said a neighbor knocked on the window of the pickup and the 38-year-old man told them he was waiting for a friend. The caller told dispatchers she had seen his mug shot on a wanted poster, so she called 9-1-1. Responding officers contacted the man and confirmed that he is a convicted felon who was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Possession of Dangerous Drugs. After the warrant was confirmed with Oregon State Parole Board, the suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 3/14/24 10:22AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Collared Man on Statewide Felony Warrant after US Highway 199 Stop
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant yesterday during a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in the Illinois Valley. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a white Toyota sedan driven by a 56-year-old man on US Highway 199 near Squaw Mountain Road on Wednesday at 12:33 p.m.. Deputies said the driver was slow to pull over, but did so after turning onto Falling Leaf Road. They said they stopped the man for traffic violations and learned that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Felony Assault. After the warrant was confirmed, the suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 3/14/24 10:20AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Man on Local Warrant and for 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 at about 3 p.m.. 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 3/14/24 10:18AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Camper on Local Felony Warrant during Riverside Park Patrol
Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant during city park patrol check early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were patrolling Riverside Park at 10 a.m. Wednesday when they contacted the 57-year-old male camper. Police said they recognized the man from prior contacts and knew that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Felony 3rd-Degree Assault. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping.
Posted on 3/14/24 10:16AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving after Highway 199 Stop West of GP
The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving late last night after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway near Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford F-150 pickup driven by a 32-year-old man on US Highway 199 near Hubbard Lane on Wednesday at 11:50 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the driver for traffic violations and he displayed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample exceeding the legal driving limit. The motorist was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He was cited to appear in court and then released. Per his request, his vehicle was picked up by a family member.
Posted on 3/14/24 10:15AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Evicted Campers for Various Violations at Baker & Riverside Parks
Grants Pass Police evicted a total of 10 campers from two city parks during patrol checks on Wednesday morning. At Baker Park, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Park Open Spaces, a man was cited for Illegal Camping and Scattering Rubbish, a woman was cited for Illegal Camping, and a man and woman were cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Misuse of Park Open Spaces. All six were trespassed from the park for 30 days. Six campsites were posted for Illegal Camping at Baker Park and an e-mail was sent to United Community Action Network (UCAN). Community Corrections workers removed six tents that were either soiled or contained drug paraphernalia. At Riverside Park, a man was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Open Flame in a Park, a woman was cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Misuse of Park Open Spaces, and a man and woman were cited for Scattering Rubbish. All four were issued 30-day park exclusions. Twenty-one campsites were posted for Illegal Camping at Riverside Park and an e-mail was sent to UCAN. Community Corrections workers removed four tents that were either soiled or contained drug paraphernalia.
Posted on 3/14/24 10:13AM by Sam Marsh
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Ashland Police Jailed Man for Allegedly Threatening another Man with Handgun
The Ashland Police Department has arrested a man for allegedly threatening another man with a handgun this week. On Tuesday at 8:19 p.m., APD officers received a complaint of menacing with a firearm in the area of Faith Street and Ashland Street. APD Chief Tighe O'Meara said the victim told officers that 24-year-old Kyle Anthony Smith fired two rounds at him from a handgun. Officers attempted to locate the suspect at the time, but were unsuccessful in doing so. Members of APD's Criminal Investigation Division took over the case on Wednesday and located Smith at his residence on Highway 66 near Emigrant Lake. He was placed into custody without further incident. Chief O'Meara said two handguns were recovered at Smith's residence. He said officers were not able to determine where the fired shots landed. No injuries or damaged property have been reported. Kyle Smith was transported to Medford and lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing.
Posted on 3/14/24 5:18AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Captured Out-of-State Fugitive after Responding to Interstate 5 Complaint
The Oregon State Police apprehended a fugitive from another state this week after responding to a complaint at the East Grants Pass Interchange of Interstate 5. OSP reports troopers were alerted to a male subject walking in and out of traffic on the southbound I-5 off-ramp near milepost 55 on Tuesday evening. Troopers said they contacted a 27-year-old Merlin man a short time later along the Grants Pass Parkway near NE Terry Lane. They discovered that he was wanted on a felony fugitive warrant from another state. No other information was provided. The suspect was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged without bail pending extradition proceedings
Posted on 3/14/24 5:16AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Felon for Weapon & Drug Violations in Eastside Welfare Check
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for weapon and drug violations after a patrol check on the east side of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 33-year-old man in the 200-block of NE Agness Avenue on Wednesday around 5 a.m.. Police said they were on patrol at that location and spotted the man slumped over the steering wheel of a parked vehicle with California plates. Upon checking his welfare, officers said he had nodded off with drug paraphernalia around him. The man was awakened and admitted to recent methamphetamine use as well as marijuana. Upon further investigation, he was found to be in possession of a double-edged knife and .22-caliber ammunition. Since he is a convicted felon, he was immediately placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and the narcotics violation. His vehicle was secured and a large dog in the vehicle was transported to the Animal Shelter.
Posted on 3/14/24 5:15AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Collared Man on State Warrant after Patrol Check near High School
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant after an early morning patrol check near the high school. According to the Police Department, officers arrested a 29-year-old man in the 700-block of NE 8th Street on Wednesday shortly after 4 a.m.. Police said they were on patrol near GPHS when they observed the man nodding off inside his parked vehicle described as an unplated Dodge Avenger. They contacted him and discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. The underlying conviction was not disclosed. Officers said there was tin foil in the man's lap. However, he was not charged with any crimes involving narcotics. The suspect was booked into the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 3/14/24 5:14AM by Sam Marsh
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IVFD Congratulates Kamron Ismaeli for Promotion to Assistant Fire Chief
The Illinois Valley Fire District is congratulating Deputy Chief Kamron Ismaeli on his promotion to Assistant Fire Chief. IVFD Chief John Holmes said the Assistant Fire Chief will participate in planning, developing policy, and resolving challenges and issues. Holmes said Ismaeli will be responsible for fiscal management including developing and administering the budget alongside the Fire Chief. Working in this position requires a wide breadth of executive-level managerial knowledge, skills and abilities. Assistant Fire Chief Ismaeli will also be the person in charge of the district when the Fire Chief is not present or out of the area. IVFD is also congratulating its newest firefighters fresh out of the Academy. They are Firefighters Harlan Browman, Blake Brown, Christopher Conrad, Josh Kasprzak and Rain Mars.
Posted on 3/14/24 5:11AM by Sam Marsh
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