Local News

OSP Snared CJ Woman for Multiple Crimes after Driving Recklessly on Freeway
The Oregon State Police arrested a Cave Junction woman for multiple crimes this week after she drove recklessly on Interstate 5 and into north Grants Pass. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Subaru XV driven by 42-year-old Jamie Ann McCalvey just off I-5 on NE Morgan Lane on Monday afternoon. Troopers said they received several calls regarding a car being driven recklessly on southbound I-5. The callers advised the vehicle was moving at variable speeds while the female driver was passing unsafely and flipping off other motorists. The same behaviors were observed by an officer who located and stopped the vehicle. Upon contact with McCalvey, troopers said she displayed multiple indicators of impairment. She refused to exit the vehicle and had to be forcefully removed. After she was placed in an OSP patrol vehicle, the suspect began to kick the door and cause damage. She refused to answer any questions or provide a breath sample. A search warrant was obtained and McCalvey was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw which documented her impairment. McCalvey was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief. She was placed on a mental hold at the hospital and her car was impounded.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
 

Investigators Suspect Impairment in Butte Falls Highway Crash that Hurt Two
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a suspected impaired driving crash that injured two people -- one seriously -- near Butte Falls yesterday. On Tuesday at 12:09 p.m., sheriff's deputies and emergency crews were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision around milepost 14 of Butte Falls Highway. Deputies said two passenger trucks collided head-on and rolled. A woman in one of the trucks was ejected and is in serious condition at a local hospital. A man in the other truck was also transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) team is investigating to determine the exact cause of the crash, but investigators suspect impairment to be a factor. None of the drivers or occupants were identified in the initial report. One lane of Butte Falls Highway was shut down while the scene was active, with Jackson County Roads handling traffic control. The closure lasted about one hour. The STAR team consists of investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Medford Police Department and Central Point Police Department. This case is still under investigation.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:27AM by Sam Marsh
 

One Person Injured in Head-On Collision on Takilma Road in the Illinois Valley
One person was injured in a violent wreck in the Illinois Valley late yesterday. On Tuesday at 5:20 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash in the 4600-block of Takilma Road. IVFD officials said arriving units found two vehicles with major damage from a head-on collision. They said one person was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles were removed by Jerry's Towing and hauled into Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office was investigating the cause of the crash.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:19AM by Sam Marsh
 

District Attorney Deciding Whether to File Weapons Charge against GP Woman
The Josephine County District Attorney's Office was deciding whether to charge a convicted felon with a weapons crime after she was allegedly struck by a vehicle on Redwood Highway in the southern Illinois Valley. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to a Monday night incident involving a woman hit by a vehicle near milepost 38 of US Highway 199. Troopers said 48-year-old Grace Helen Polk of Grants Pass was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of unspecified injuries. They said a firearm was found in her purse and she was found to have prior felony convictions. According to the report, Polk stated that she was not actually hit by a car. She said that she stole the pistol and was assaulted by the owner of the gun. A charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm was referred to the DA's Office for consideration. The case is ongoing.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
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Board to Hold Public Hearing on Library Annexation Requests This Morning
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the annexation of five properties into the local library district as part of its weekly business session this morning. The Board had delayed these annexation requests last month by putting a hold on all annexations and withdrawals from the Josephine Community Library District while it gathered more information on the legality of the process. Since that time, the library district has filed a lawsuit against the Commissioners preventing them from approving any more withdrawals from the district. The one withdrawal it approved in December has been rejected by the State of Oregon. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board is expected to set a public hearing to consider fee changes for the Animal Shelter and Recreation Department, which covers Parks and the Josephine County Fairgrounds. In addition to a proclamation, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when people are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
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Rural Metro Officials Encourage Keeping Doors Closed to Slow Fire Spread
Did you know a closed door can save your life? Rural Metro Fire Department reports a closed door limits air movement through a home, slowing the spread of flames, heat and smoke. In a fire situation when seconds count, especially when you're asleep, every action can be the difference between life and death for you, your family and your pets. If sleeping with a closed door makes you uncomfortable, be sure to have an adequate number of working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Seriously consider closing all interior doors when you are away from home. A fire when you are gone can be held from getting bigger while you wait for someone else to call it in and for firefighters to arrive on scene. Officials say protected pets, contents and valuables are much easier to save.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh
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Asante Health System and Physician Agreed to Pay $430K in Fraud Allegations Settlement
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A Southern Oregon healthcare corporation and one of its physicians have agreed to pay $430,000 to settle allegations that they knowingly submitted false claims for payment for cardiothoracic surgeries to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon reports Asante Health System and Dr. Charles Carmeci -- a cardiothoracic surgeon practicing at Rogue Regional Medical Center -- submitted the false claims. Prosecutors said Asante and Dr. Carmeci submitted claims for payment to the three government insurance companies for various surgeries while knowing they did not meet the criteria for reimbursement or were otherwise improper. Medicare and Medicaid are public health insurance companies administered by a federal agency within the US Department of Health & Human Services. TRICARE is a civilian health care program administered by the Defense Health Agency, a joint integrated combat support agency within the US Department of Defense. According to a press release, the settlement reached is not an admission of liability by Asante or Dr. Carmeci and both parties deny the government's allegations.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
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Firefighters Encountered Numerous Obstacles Before They Could Fight Plumtree Lane Blaze
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Firefighters encountered many obstacles before they could battle a structure fire in the Merlin area last night. On Tuesday at 9:27 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a reported fire in the 1,000-block of Plumtree Lane. Rural Metro officials said the incident was initially called in to Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications as an open burn and crews searched driveways near the railroad tracks before they eventually located the blaze. They said the fire had been burning for a while and the structure was already collapsing. Firefighters had to navigate hose and equipment through a property littered with vehicles, RVs and other obstacles to reach the fully-involved structure. They were able to extinguish the fire and keep it from spreading. It was unclear if anyone was living at the location, but it appeared that someone had been dismantling parts of the structure. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
Posted on 1/17/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh
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Signup Deadline for 2024 Josephine County Search Rescue Academy is February 7th
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The Josephine County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue (SAR) Division is hosting its annual Academy to train new volunteers starting next month. The Search & Rescue Academy -- which is held at 250 Tech Way north of Grants Pass -- covers Basic Survival Skills, First Aid/CPR, Land Navigation and more. Completion of the academy qualifies participants as SAR volunteers and allows them to actively participate in trainings and missions. The cost for the academy is $55. Additional requirements include a background check, criminal history check, personal equipment purchase and a $50 refundable uniform deposit. The SAR Academy runs from February 20th through March 21st. It's held every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. There is a final overnight exercise scheduled for April. For registration and more details, visit "bit.ly/3RQah1J."
Posted on 1/17/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC to Hold Public Hearing on Library Annexation Requests on Wednesday
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the annexation of five properties into the local library district as part of its weekly business session tomorrow. The Board had delayed these annexation requests last month by putting a hold on all annexations and withdrawals from the Josephine Community Library District while it gathered more information on the legality of the process. Since that time, the library district has filed a lawsuit against the Commissioners preventing them from approving any more withdrawals from the district. The one withdrawal it approved in December has been rejected by the State of Oregon. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board is expected to set a public hearing to consider fee changes for the Animal Shelter and Recreation Department, which covers Parks and the Josephine County Fairgrounds. In addition to a proclamation, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when people are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 1/16/24 11:29AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Jailed Man for Felony Crimes & Warrant after IV Trespassing Call
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for two felony crimes and an outstanding warrant after investigating a trespassing call in the Illinois Valley late yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a complaint involving 60-year-old Timothy Joe Cross in the 4300-block of Caves Highway on Monday around 4:40 p.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that Cross was back on her property after he had been served with a restraining order the day before. She said a man named "Mike" had chased the suspect off the property and that he retreated onto nearby BLM land. Cross was cornered by the other man until deputies arrived. Upon arrival, deputies contacted Cross and discovered that he was wanted on a Crook County warrant for Probation Violation related to previous arrests for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Driving While Suspended. Timothy Cross was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the no-bail warrant. Since his booking, charges of Felony 2nd-Degree Assault, Felony Coercion and Interfering with Making a Police Report were added to his criminal bill. However, no information on those crimes was disclosed.
Posted on 1/16/24 11:27AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Collared Man on Local Felony Warrant during Downtown Patrol
Grants Pass Police jailed a man on a local felony warrant following a patrol check in the downtown area late last night. The Police Department reports officers arrested 54-year-old Michael Lewis Swift in the 100-block of NE E Street near Oregon Books & Games on Monday at 11:22 p.m.. Police said they were on patrol when they spotted Swift and knew that he was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for an alleged crime of Methamphetamine Possession. He was placed into custody after the warrant was confirmed with the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center. Michael Swift was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and he was still in custody this morning.
Posted on 1/16/24 11:26AM by Sam Marsh
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