Local News

A Grants Pass truck driver was involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash in northern Klamath County this week. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle collision on US Highway 97 near milepost 197 on Wednesday at 6:28 p.m.. OSP said the preliminary investigation indicates a northbound GMC pickup driven by 78-year-old Michael Randolph Lasley of Clearlake, California, crossed into the southbound lane and struck a southbound Peterbilt commercial vehicle and trailer operated by 29-year-old Zachary Ryan Sprangler of Grants Pass. Lasley was declared deceased at the scene while Sprangler was reportedly not hurt. Highway 97 was impacted for approximately five hours while the scene was active and the exact cause of the fatal crash remains under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Chemult Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

 

Three child passengers escaped injury when the vehicle they were riding in rolled over on Interstate 5 in Sunny Valley late yesterday. On Thursday at 4:13 p.m., the Oregon State Police, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash near milepost 73 in the southbound lanes of I-5. Rural Metro Engine 7502 and Battalion 5 along with an AMR Ambulance crew found the 13-, 12- and 5-year-old children had self-extricated and were not hurt. However, the adult driver of the vehicle -- identified by OSP as 36-year-old Tiffany Ladonna Stuelke -- was still inside and unable to exit. Firefighters were forced to remove the windshield to extricate Stuelke, who was not injured. The vehicle -- a Honda Accord -- sustained heavy damage and was towed to Grants Pass. The cause of the crash was being investigated by OSP.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorcyclist for riding in a careless manner near a city park early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a motorcycle ridden by 30-year-old Levi Genel Torres on West Park Street near Tussing Park on Thursday shortly after 3 a.m.. Torres was observed by officers riding carelessly and popping wheelies on the motorbike. He was found to have a suspended operator's license and had no emergent reason to be riding. He was placed into custody at the scene. Levi Torres was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving While Suspended and he was warned for Careless Driving. The motorcycle was parked and left in the care of bystanders at his request.

 

The Oregon Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee has two openings for people passionate about supporting active modes of travel. The state committee is seeking a new at-large member as well as a new member who represents environmental interests. These positions will join the committee that advises ODOT on bicycle and pedestrian issues around Oregon. All Oregon residents are eligible to apply. Appointments are non-binding and appointees may serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Appointees are eligible for a stipend and travel reimbursements for their service on the committee. The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OPBAC) strives to have panel representation that reflects the diverse geography, demographics and abilities of everyone who walks, bikes or rolls in Oregon. OBPAC envisions Oregon as a state in which people of all identities -- including age, income, race and ability -- can access destinations in urban and rural areas on comfortable, safe and well-connected active transportation infrastructure. Application materials must be submitted by February 5th to be considered in the first review.

 

The US Forest Service has announced that a correction has been issued to extend the comment period for its published Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal to amend the Northwest Forest Plan. The comment period on the 17 separate land management plans has been extended to February 2nd to allow additional time for the public to review and submit their feedback on this initiative. The Notice of Intent identifies changed conditions that are driving the need to amend the plan with a focus on five key areas: wildfire resilience, climate change adaptation, tribal inclusion, sustainable communities, and conservation of old-growth ecosystems and related biodiversity. The US Forest Service is committed to preserving the elements of the plan that are working well while incorporating the latest science to help forests adapt to social, economic, cultural and ecological changes. The Forest Service has scheduled a series of informational winter webinars and a virtual open house to help provide a better understanding of the Northwest Forest Plan and Notice of Intent. These events will offer an opportunity for individuals to learn more about the current amendment effort and how to submit their comments.

 

The City of Grants Pass has been awarded funding from the US Department of Energy that it plans to use for environmental studies on three of its properties. Grants Pass was awarded $76,430 from a total of $20.5 million in funding for 32 states, territories, local governments and tribes through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The money will be used to fund a feasibility study of the Economic Performance, Environmental Resiliency, Sustainability and Social Benefits of solar projects at the Foothill and Merlin Landfills as well as the Redwood Pump Station. The Foothill Landfill is the oldest of the two landfills and it consists two tax lots totaling 15.97 acres. The Merlin Landfill is capped and comprises more than 300 acres. However, the substation at this site can only support an amount equivalent to what can be produced on approximately 8 to 10 acres. The Redwood Pump Station is located on about seven acres of land. Once the feasibility study is completed, Grants Pass will know which options might be the best for each specific site and then can apply for grants tailored to each site. The deadline for submission of proposals is February 8th.

 

Winter storms finally came to Southern Oregon in a big way, with Mount Ashland receiving 10 inches of new snow in the past seven days. Twilight skiing began Thursday night, with sessions running from 3 to 9 p.m.. For the next several weeks, the local ski resort will be open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Mount Ashland officials said the weekend outlook is moderate temperatures, snow showers and some wind. They said the groomers expect excellent skiing and riding conditions, but overnight conditions do include the possibility of some ice. Expert terrain in The Bowl is closed at this time due to an unstable and reactive snowpack. Ski patrol will assess this area daily and open as soon as possible. A temporary park has been set up on Lower Juliet that includes boxes and rails. The usual parks will be built as soon as they get more snow. Expected this weekend on Mount Ashland are five lifts, 35 trails with 18 groomed, one park and a 45-to-50-inch base. For more information, visit "mtashland.com."

 

A Grants Pass man was jailed on a local felony warrant last night after a grand jury indicted him on three felony-level charges related to a domestic violence case. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 29-year-old Brandon William Sousa Measel at a home in the 1600-block of NE A Street on Wednesday at 10:09 p.m.. Police said Measel was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant containing a secret indictment for alleged crimes including 2nd-Degree Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Domestic Strangulation. They said he was observed going inside the house and permission was given for them to enter and place him into custody. Brandon Measel was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held in lieu of posting $250,000 bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man on three outstanding warrants and he may be facing additional charges after a hit-and-run accident in the Sunny Valley area yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 34-year-old Michael David Brenden in the 8300-block of Lower Grave Creek Road on Wednesday at 3:24 p.m.. Deputies said Brenden was driving a Honda sedan with no license plates when he crashed through a gate and got stuck on the side of Grave Creek. They said he took off running into the woods, but the property owner detained him at gunpoint and restrained him with private handcuffs until law enforcement arrived on scene. An investigation determined that Brenden was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony Attempt to Elude Police, Felony Criminal Mischief and 1st-Degree Theft; a Jackson County warrant for failing to appear in court for impaired driving; and an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a previous traffic offense. Brenden complained of back pain, so he was checked out by American Medical Response and cleared for lodging at the Josephine County Jail. He was booked on the warrants and was being held without bail. The Honda he wrecked had been reported stolen out of Washington State and additional charges are pending.