Local News

GP Police Arrested 2 Men after Separate Trespass Calls from Family Members
Grants Pass Police arrested two people in separate trespassing complaints that were filed by the arrestees' family members late yesterday. According to the Police Department, the first incident occurred on Wednesday at 4:10 p.m. when officers arrested 29-year-old Jordan Taylor Longoria at a home in the 2300-block of NW Highland Avenue. Police said Longoria had returned to his grandmother's residence after he had been trespassed from the property. Responding officers found the suspect going through items in the carport and he was placed into custody. Longoria was charged with 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. The second incident happened on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. when officers arrested 61-year-old Joseph Charles Ginevra at a home in the 800-block of NE 8th Street. Police said Ginevra's grandson called 9-1-1 to report that his grandfather was drunk, belligerent and wouldn't get out of his car. Officers contacted the suspect inside his grandson's car and he refused to exit. Turns out he was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. He was removed from the car and jailed.
Posted on 1/11/24 11:14AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Evicted 8 Campers from 3 Parks during Wednesday Patrol Checks
Grants Pass Police evicted a total of eight campers from three city parks during patrol checks that were performed early yesterday. It all started at Morrison Centennial Park where officers observed Clint Palomino and Marissa Winters with foil containing fentanyl residue. Palomino and Winters were cited for narcotics violations and trespassed from the park for 30 days. At Fruitdale Park, officers cited Dereck Lawrence and Melina Stephens for Misuse of Park Open Space and Scattering Rubbish. Justin Stout and Brittany Adams were cited for drug possession after they were observed with foil containing fentanyl. They claimed the tent and belongings were not theirs and that they were watching the items for a man called "Tom." Lawrence, Stephens, Stout and Adams were all trespassed from the park for 30 days. Also at Fruitdale Park, three truckloads of wet, soiled and hazardous materials were removed and disposed of at Southern Oregon Sanitation. At Baker Park, Tyson Hutchinson was cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Kyle Conroy was cited for narcotics possession. Both were issued 30-day exclusions.
Posted on 1/11/24 11:11AM by Sam Marsh
 

Winter Storm Brought Snow & Ice to High-Elevation Roads in Jackson County
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This week's winter storm brought snow and ice to higher elevation roads throughout Jackson County and closed multiple highways. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to several traffic crashes due to these wintry conditions. The Oregon Department of Transportation and Jackson County Roads have crews working to clear roads and keep them passable. Travelers should be prepared for dangerous driving conditions and avoid driving in higher elevations if possible. Oregon 273 (Old Siskiyou Highway) and Oregon 66 (Greensprings Highway) were closed Wednesday due to winter weather. Dead Indian Memorial Road from Highway 66 to the Klamath County line was also closed. These highways were open to local traffic only and chains were required. The High Cascade passes near Diamond Lake and Crater Lake were closed until midday Wednesday due to blizzard conditions and low visibility. This includes Oregon Highway 63 east of Union Creek, Oregon Highway 230 from Union Creek to the intersection at Diamond Lake Junction, and Oregon Highway 138E between Oregon 230 and Highway 97. Interstate 5 remained open over the Siskiyou Pass. Travelers should visit "tripcheck.com" for updates on road conditions and closures during winter storms.
Posted on 1/11/24 6:27AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Jailed One Person & Seeking Another after Hog Creek Area Incident
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed one person and were looking for another in connection with a vandalism incident near Hog Creek Boat Landing. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 19-year-old Victoria Reanna Corona for the incident in the 4700-block of Galice Road on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said they received a call from a resident reporting two people torched her travel trailer, injured her dog and stabbed a tire on her vehicle. She identified the suspects as Corona and her boyfriend, William Foxx. Foxx was reportedly armed with a large knife when he eluded law enforcement by running into the woods. Corona was located inside a vehicle driven by a woman named "Brown" and she was placed into custody. She was transported to Grants Pass and lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Burglary and 3rd-Degree Theft. A search for Foxx in the Hog Creek area was unsuccessful. Charges of 1st-Degree Arson, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Burglary, Menacing and Escape against him were referred to the District Attorney's Office for eventual prosecution. Brown was cited for Failure to Register a Vehicle.
Posted on 1/11/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Police Arrested Siblings on Outstanding Warrants near City Park
Grants Pass Police arrested a man and his older sister on outstanding warrants this week during an investigation near Westholm Park. The Police Department reports officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on 34-year-old Kyle Daniel Miller in the 200-block of SW Wildwood Avenue on Tuesday night. He was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for Heroin Possession. Police said neighbors confirmed that Miller lives at the residence, so they tried to contact him there. He immediately shut the door and refused to identify himself, retreating into the back part of the house. His sister -- 37-year-old Bobby Rae Miller -- came out of the home and said she was trying to get him to surrender. Turns out that Bobby Miller was wanted on a Multnomah County felony warrant for Fraud, Abuse and Computer Crime as well as a Washington County warrant for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Theft and Supplying Contraband. She was placed into custody and lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail. Kyle Miller was eventually placed into custody and lodged in jail on his warrant.
Posted on 1/11/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Felon Snared for Parole Violation while Returning Items to Burglary Victim
A Grants Pass felon was arrested for violating his post-prison supervision after he attempted to return stolen property to the victim of a recent burglary this week The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 30-year-old Dominick Jeffrey Aragon at a mini-storage business on NW Booth Street Tuesday morning. Police said Aragon was a suspect in a burglary that occurred Monday at a home in the 4300-block of Foothill Boulevard. They said the victim reported that he texted her, told her the stolen items were at Booth Street Mini Storage and that he would meet her there at 7 a.m. when he would return the items. With that knowledge, officers were able to stop Aragon and discover that he was driving with a suspended license. His corrections officer was contacted and asked that his client be detained. Aragon was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer and additional charges are pending further investigation, A charge of Driving While Suspended was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration.
Posted on 1/11/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Investigating Hit & Run Crash on US Highway 199 that Injured Passenger
The Oregon State Police was investigating a hit-and-run collision on Redwood Highway near Kerby that injured a passenger earlier this week. OSP reports troopers and emergency personnel were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash at milepost 24 of US Highway 199 on Tuesday shortly after 6 p.m.. Troopers said a motorist was driving a Toyota Camry south when he lost control of the car, ran off the highway and hit a utility box before coming to a stop in the northbound travel lane. They said the unidentified driver then took off on foot. A passenger identified as 30-year-old Jonathan Greg Foulk was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The car was hauled into Cave Junction by Jerry's Towing. It was not disclosed whether OSP knows the identity of the driver.
Posted on 1/11/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Collared Man Wanted on Jackson County Warrant at Riverside Park
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a local warrant this week at Riverside Park. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 41-year-old Kenneth William Barr at the city park on Tuesday. Police said officers were on patrol when they observed Barr while he was under the influence of alcohol. Public intoxication is one of several ordinances under strong enforcement in all city parks. Upon contact with Barr, it was discovered that he was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Kenneth Barr was lodged at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 1/11/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC Heard from Pipe Fork Sale Supporters and Appointed Three to Local Committees
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The Josephine County Board of Commissioners heard from Pipe Fork supporters, made appointments to three local advisory committees and addressed the problem of local drug overdoses during its weekly business session on Wednesday. With no public hearings or action items on the agenda, Board Chair John West started the 66-minute meeting with Requests and Comments from Citizens. At least a dozen people spoke of their support for the sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams, with some of the speakers chastising the Commissioners for not agreeing to an immediate sale. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board unanimously approved appointments of Jamee Harrington to a four-year term on the Special Transportation Committee, Justin Lyons to a four-year term on the Housing & Community Development Council and Todd Greer to a three-year term on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger talked about the alarming increase in local drug overdoses and the ineffectiveness of Measure 110. He cited City of Grants Pass statistics that show 22 responses to overdoses and 11 deaths in 2022 grew to 197 responses to overdoses and 15 deaths in 2023. He said statistics for Josephine County were unavailable because they had not been released by the state.
Posted on 1/11/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh
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Grange Co-op Expanding Operations with Acquisition of New Distribution Center
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Grange Co-op has announced the acquisition of a new distribution center in Medford, further solidifying its commitment to growth and service excellence. The state-of-the-art facility -- spanning approximately 71,000 square feet on approximately six acres -- is strategically located adjacent to the South Medford Grange Co-op on South Pacific Highway. Marketing Manager Jason Wall said the expansion comes as part of Grange Co-op's efforts to enhance its distribution capabilities, ensuring efficient and timely delivery of quality products to its valued customers. He said the new distribution center in Medford aligns with their strategic vision for continued growth and efficiency, adding the facility will play a crucial role in their distribution network. Grange Co-op's 25,000-square-foot former distribution center in North Medford is being sold as part of the transition. The retail cooperative remains dedicated to optimizing its facilities to best meet the needs of the communities it serves. Established in 1934, Grange Co-op is a member-owned cooperative providing agricultural supplies and more to communities throughout Oregon and Northern California.
Posted on 1/11/24 5:58AM by Sam Marsh
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Josephine County Foundation Hosting Free Vision Clinic on Saturday at North Valley High
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The Josephine County Foundation is teaming up with Amigo Vision to present a Free Vision Clinic this weekend at North Valley High School. The Free Vision Clinic is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school located at 6741 Monument Drive near Grants Pass. Josephine County Foundation (JCF) is a student-led non-profit that inspires, engages and strengthens the community through innovative leadership and service. The goal of this clinic is to serve those who cannot afford vision care. An appointment for the free clinic is required. To schedule your appointment, visit the Josephine County Foundation website at "jcfserves.org/jcyf/current-projects/vision-clinic." For more information, please call Andrea Bennett at (541)-450-8782.
Posted on 1/11/24 5:54AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC Hears from Pipe Fork Supporters and Appoints Trio to Advisory Panels
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners heard from Pipe Fork supporters, made appointments to three local advisory committees and addressed the problem of local drug overdoses during its weekly business session today. With no public hearings or action items on the agenda, Board Chair John West started the 66-minute meeting with Requests and Comments from Citizens. At least a dozen people spoke of their support for the sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams, with some of the speakers chastising the Commissioners for not agreeing to an immediate sale. The speakers included the Williams Rural Fire Protection District Chief, who pointed out that the sale would benefit his community by helping to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board unanimously approved appointments of Jamee Harrington to a four-year term on the Special Transportation Committee, Justin Lyons to a four-year term on the Housing & Community Development Council and Todd Greer to a three-year term on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger talked about the alarming increase in local drug overdoses and the ineffectiveness of Measure 110. He cited City of Grants Pass statistics that show 22 responses to overdoses and 11 deaths in 2022 grew to 197 responses to overdoses and 15 deaths in 2023. He said statistics for Josephine County were unavailable because they had not been released by the state.
Posted on 1/10/24 11:51AM by Sam Marsh
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