Local News

GP Police Collared Man on Four Outstanding Warrants in Restaurant Encounter
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on four outstanding warrants -- three of them outside of Josephine County -- during a weekend encounter at an east-side restaurant. The Police Department reports officers contacted a man who identified himself as "Jeremiah Ballard" in a vehicle at Shari's Café & Pies on NE Agness Avenue on Sunday at 8:47 p.m.. A woman in the car identified herself as "Shanae Cleveland." Police said it was determined that "Ballard" was a false name for 44-year-old Christopher Donald MacPherson who had multiple warrants for his arrest. He was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to a conviction for 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief, a Marion County felony warrant for Aggravated Assault and Resisting Arrest, a Marion County felony warrant for Attempt to Elude Police and a Yamhill County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to Theft. MacPherson bolted from the vehicle and ran away, but he was located a short time later hiding in some bushes. He was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was booked on the warrants as well as Furnishing False Information to Police.
Posted on 1/23/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Jailed Man for Crimes & Warrants after He Fled from Elk Lane Crash
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for multiple crimes and outstanding warrants after he crashed his vehicle into a fence and tried to flee. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the incident at the end of Elk Lane on Saturday night. Deputies said a property owner in the 2700-block of Elk Lane called 9-1-1 to report hearing a motor vehicle accident. The caller investigated and discovered a 1950s-model pickup tangled in their fence, causing at least $500 in damage. The driver -- later identified as 37-year-old Christopher Michael Anthony -- attempted to drive away and then took off running down the road. Anthony was Tased and placed into custody a short time later. That's when it was discovered that he was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and 1st-Degree Theft as well as a Medford felony warrant listing crimes of Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault and Strangulation. Christopher Anthony was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus new charges of Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving and Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. His pickup was towed to the impound yard.
Posted on 1/23/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
 

IVFD Crews Extinguished Chimney Flue Fire on Logan Cut Drive Last Weekend
The Illinois Valley Fire District put out a flue fire in the Cave Junction area last weekend. On Sunday at 2:40 p.m., IVFD crews were dispatched to a reported chimney fire on Logan Cut Drive. IVFD officials said arriving units found light gray smoke showing from the eaves of the residence. Crews quickly went to work and cooled off the chimney and contained the fire. There was no extension to the rest of the home. Officials remind anyone who uses wood heat to stay warm during the winter to have their chimney inspected regularly by a licensed professional.
Posted on 1/23/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh
 

Consecutive Winter Storms Forced Cancellation of 70+ Red Cross Blood Drives
The Cascades Region of the American Red Cross is urging people to roll up their sleeves and give blood or platelets after back-to-back winter storms forced the cancellation of more than 70 drives, which resulted in the loss of nearly 2,100 units of blood products. The Red Cross in Oregon and Washington has had difficulty resupplying blood collection sites because of road closures and icy conditions, forcing cancellations of blood drives across both states. Additionally, hosted blood drives were canceled as school districts and businesses closed due to inclement weather. This has placed an already vulnerable inventory of blood products at critical levels. Every day, the Red Cross must collect approximately 12,500 blood and nearly 3,000 platelet donations for patients who are currently undergoing medical procedures and treatments at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. All eligible donors are urgently needed to help restock the shelves for these hospital patients. Don't wait to make an appointment. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit "RedCrossBlood.org" or call 1-(800)-RED-CROSS.
Posted on 1/23/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

Oregon Revenue & Internal Revenue Services Start Processing Tax Returns January 29th
News Image
The Oregon Department of Revenue will begin processing e-filed 2023 state income tax returns on January 29th, the same day the Internal Revenue Service will begin processing federal returns. Paper returns will be started in February. E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won't be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 15th. A refund hold is part of the department's tax fraud prevention effort and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on Forms W-2 and 1099. E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refunds via direct deposit receive their money two weeks sooner that those who file paper returns and request checks. Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns this year can file electronically at no cost using one of the state's free file options. Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Free fillable forms are available for all income levels. Using links from the department's website ensures that both taxpayers' federal and state return will be filed for free.
Posted on 1/23/24 6:09AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

GP School District Partnering with Redwood Foundation for New "Early Learning Fund"
News Image
The Grants Pass School District is partnering with the Redwood Foundation in establishing the "Grants Pass Early Learning Fund" to support the early learning program in District 7. Early learning programs do not receive state funding like K-12 education. These programs for preschool-aged children are generally funded through grants, donations or tuition. The Redwood Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. The vision is to build an Early Learning program that promotes positive, healthy parent/child connections, access to community resources, early learning opportunities for families and eventual preschool. School District 7 is weaving a tapestry of care and opportunity for children and families in Grants Pass. Every child thrives with access to community resources and early childhood education. The mission is to create opportunities through free parent/child interactive play groups. Your support will also provide transportation assistance; childcare for families with multiple children; professional development for early learning providers; parent workshops; kindergarten readiness classes; access to onsite health screenings; and clothing closet and essentials. For more information, please call (541)-474-5709.
Posted on 1/23/24 6:01AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

GP City Council Hears Accomplishments & Goals from Citizen Advisory Groups
News Image
The Grants Pass City Council heard from the groups that keep it informed on important local issues during its weekly workshop on Monday. Representatives from the citizen advisory committees and commissions spoke about their accomplishments in 2023 and their goals for 2024. These groups include the Urban Area Planning Commission, Historical Buildings & Sites Commission, Collaborative Economic Development Committee, Housing Advisory Committee, Parks Advisory Committee, Tourism Advisory Committee, Bikeways & Walkways Advisory Committee and Committee on Public Art. Following the committee reports, the City Council went over the past assignments of members as liaisons to the advisory groups. Councilors will have the option to remain with their current group or request a change for the new year. Those assignments will be finalized in the near future. Council members Joel King and DJ Faszer were absent from yesterday's workshop.
Posted on 1/23/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

Deputies Captured Out-of-State Fugitive while Looking into Squatting Complaint
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office captured an out-of-state fugitive while performing a weekend patrol check on land managed by the US Forest Service. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 35-year-old Lars Christian Depriest on Forest Service land in an unspecified location on Saturday around 11 a.m.. Deputies said they were investigating reports of an older model motorhome parked in a remote area when they contacted Depriest and discovered that he was wanted on a felony warrant issued by the Ozark County Sheriff's Office in Missouri. The warrant dated back to 2019, but the charges against the suspect were not disclosed. After the extradition warrant was confirmed, Depriest was arrested. He had been flagged for possible violence against law enforcement, but he was placed into custody without incident. Lars Depriest was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. He was being held without bail pending extradition proceedings that will send him back to Missouri.
Posted on 1/22/24 10:31AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

Suspicious Activity Report in North GP Resulted in Arrest of Burglary Suspect
A report of suspicious activity outside a north Grants Pass restaurant landed a man in jail for probable cause of a recent break-in. The Police Department reports officers arrested 35-year-old Bartholomew James Robert Lewis near Sizzler off NE 7th Street on Friday at 11:40 p.m.. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report Lewis and four other subjects were standing around three vehicles parked at the restaurant. The caller believed the incident was drug-related and they requested the response of law enforcement. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the subjects. That's when they discovered that Lewis was the chief suspect in a recent burglary investigation. No details about that incident were disclosed in the police log. Bart Lewis was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was booked for probable cause of 1st-Degree Burglary and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 1/22/24 10:29AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

GP Police Snared Man for 5 Crimes after Reported Disturbance at Fred Meyer
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for multiple crimes after he caused a weekend disturbance at Fred Meyer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a male subject running around the store parking lot near the Grants Pass Parkway at about 2 p.m. on Saturday. Police said 21-year-old Jacob Louden Ford had requested an ambulance. They said he was under the influence of drugs and was running around, causing public alarm. When a citizen attempted to stop him, the suspect attempted to punch the man. Ford reportedly fled on foot when officers told him he was under arrest. He was eventually placed into custody and admitted to taking psilocybin mushrooms. Jacob Ford was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted 4th-Degree Assault, Resisting Arrest, Escape, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 1/22/24 10:28AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

Deputies Jailed Man for Crimes & Warrants after He Fled from Elk Lane Crash
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for multiple crimes and outstanding warrants after he crashed his vehicle into a fence and tried to flee. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the incident at the end of Elk Lane on Saturday shortly after 10 p.m.. Deputies said a property owner in the 2700-block of Elk Lane called 9-1-1 to report hearing a motor vehicle accident. The caller investigated and discovered a 1950s-model pickup tangled in their fence, causing at least $500 in damage. The driver -- later identified as 37-year-old Christopher Michael Anthony -- attempted to drive away and then took off running down the road. Anthony was Tased and placed into custody a short time later. That's when it was discovered that he was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and 1st-Degree Theft as well as a Medford felony warrant listing crimes of Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault and Strangulation. Christopher Anthony was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants plus new charges of Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude Police, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving and Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage. His pickup was towed to the impound yard.
Posted on 1/22/24 10:26AM by Sam Marsh
Read more
 

Young GP Woman Arrested for Trying to Outrun Deputies on Fast Motorcycle
A young Grants Pass woman was arrested over the weekend for trying to outrun law enforcement on a motorcycle in the Redwood area. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually pulled over a motorcycle ridden by 19-year-old Shayla Autumn Dixon near the corner of Redwood Avenue and Hubbard Lane on Saturday at 12:17 a.m.. Deputies said they observed two street bikes heading outbound on Redwood Avenue while traveling at about 105 miles per hour. They said Dixon initially failed to stop, but she finally did and was placed into custody. The other rider -- identified as "Tristan Boothby" -- was pulled over near Dowell Road. However, for some unspecified reason, he was not arrested. Shayla Dixon was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Reckless Driving. Her motorcycle was impounded.
Posted on 1/22/24 10:25AM by Sam Marsh
Read more