Local News

Investigators Looking into Why Boeing 737 Flight Lost Panel between SF and Medford
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An exterior panel of a Boeing 737 carrying passengers on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Medford appears to have torn off mid-flight Friday, marking the latest in a string of recent high-profile mishaps for Boeing planes. A photo of the plane shows a hole in the fuselage, exposing what appears to be mechanical components of the aircraft. United said the panel was missing from a spot where one of the wings meets the aircraft's body, near the landing gear. United did not answer questions about what caused the panel to fall off. The Oregonian reports the plane is a Boeing 737-800, according to United, though the FAA lists it as a Boeing 737-824. It is not a Boeing 737 Max 9, which is the model of plane that made an emergency landing in Portland after a door plug flew off of the Alaska Airlines aircraft about six minutes into a January 5th flight. Friday's Flight 433 landed shortly before noon as scheduled at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, said Airport Director Amber Judd. United said none of the 139 passengers and six crew members were injured. Judd said it was only after the plane was on the ground that the problem was found. United confirmed that the pilots didn't declare an emergency before landing in Medford because "there was no indication of the damage during the flight."
Posted on 3/18/24 4:52AM by Sam Marsh
 

Grants Pass Police Officers and Firefighters Logged Strong Community Protection Effort
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Grants Pass police officers and firefighters adjusted well to Daylight Saving Time with a strong effort in community protection last week. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 633 calls for service along with 263 officer-initiated calls that resulted in 57 arrests, 33 citations, 41 warnings and four highly- intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 54 traffic stops in the city and made a total of 22 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 126 contacts with potential trouble-makers while arresting four people, citing 36 more and warning 46 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 21 individuals, posted 63 transient camps and removed trash from 10 campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 110 calls last week including 46 calls for emergency medical service, three for fire or smoke, 12 lift assists, five rescue situations, three assists to other agencies and eight false alarms. The 9-1-1 Dispatch Center fielded a total of 987 emergency calls.
Posted on 3/18/24 4:49AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Crews and Volunteers Sprucing Up Parks in Advance of Outdoor Recreation Season
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The Parks Division of the Grants Pass Community Development Department has been busy preparing for the upcoming outdoor recreation seasons. According to Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, contractors have begun the process of dismantling the outdated play structure at Reinhart Volunteer Park. He said the project is advancing steadily and the anticipated completion is in April. Cubic said park staff removed a dead tree at the Grants Pass Police Department and replanted two new American Hornbeams in front of the main entrance last week. They will provide a nice splash of red color in the fall. A big thank you goes out to the Rogue Pickleball Club who generously contributed two new sets of bench components to the parks. Staff painted the lumber and put together the new bench additions. Another shout out goes to the Rogue Valley Rose Society who made their annual pruning trek to Riverside Park. Park officials said this volunteer group does a fantastic job every year diligently pruning the park's roses to maintain a quality appearance as well as the health of the roses.
Posted on 3/18/24 4:38AM by Sam Marsh
 

Sovereign Citizen Cited for Speeding & Arrested on Active Warrant
A “sovereign citizen” as arrested and lodged in the County Jail after Josephine County Deputies stopped a red Lincoln for speeding and determined the driver was wanted on a Jackson County warrant.
The traffic stop occurred just after 7:00 p.m. Friday evening and, after identifying the driver who was flagged as hostile to law enforcement, and know to carry firearms, discovered the suspect was wanted on a an active warrant out of Jackson County on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and failure to carry and present a license. The “sovereign citizen” was lodged on the warrant and additionally cited for speeding and driving while suspended.
Posted on 3/16/24 6:33AM by Chuck Benson
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39-Year-Old Facing Felony Charges of Arson & Coercion
A 39-year-old man is in the Josephine County Jail facing four different charges after Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a 911 call from a woman stating a man was trying to kill her. The 911 call originated at 2:10 Friday morning with the caller’s phone cutting in and out with the woman unsure of her location. According to the Sheriff’s log the location was determined to be all the way up the mountain on Shan Creek. The woman stated her assailant had set her motorhome on fire. A search ensued with at least two different locations dismissed before locating the R.V. that was blocking a forest service road. The woman was contacted, and the fire service was notified it was not needed. The suspect was detained. The arrest was executed, and the man was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he is being held on two felony charges, Arson I and Coercion, plus two misdemeanor charges, menacing and harassment. He was being held without bail Saturday morning
Posted on 3/16/24 5:54AM by Chuck Benson
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GP Police Collared Man on State Warrant after Responding to Shoplifting Call
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant this week after responding to a shoplifting call at a north-city convenience store. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a theft complaint at Li'l Pantry Market & Deli on NW Vine Street on Thursday night. Police said they were on a separate call at the store when an employee advised a 65-year-old man was in the process of stealing beer from the business. Officers exited their patrol vehicle and located the suspect with an empty beer can. He had also concealed another alcoholic beverage in the sleeve of his jacket.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:37AM by Chuck Benson
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Deputies Arrested Woman for Causing Disturbance at Moon Mountain RV Resort
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested an older woman this week for causing a disturbance at a trailer park located just east of Grants Pass. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the reported incident at Moon Mountain RV Resort on Pearce Park Road early Thursday morning. Deputies said several people called 9-1-1 after a 75-year-old woman started yelling and screaming outside their RVs. One caller reported the woman was throwing rocks at his trailer, but there was no property damage. Another caller stated it was an ongoing problem and that the woman had frightened his young daughter. Responding deputies contacted the woman and placed her into custody after she refused to calm down. The reason for her frequent outbursts was not disclosed.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:35AM by Chuck Benson
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GP Police Collared Man on State Warrant after Responding to Shoplifting Call
Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant this week after responding to a shoplifting call at a north-city convenience store. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a theft complaint at Li'l Pantry Market & Deli on NW Vine Street on Thursday night.Police said they were on a separate call at the store when an employee advised a 65-year-old man was in the process of stealing beer from the business. Officers exited their patrol vehicle and located the suspect with an empty beer can. He had also concealed another alcoholic beverage in the sleeve of his jacke
Posted on 3/16/24 4:34AM by Chuck Benson
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OSP Nabbed Eagle Point Man for Causing Highway 238 Disruption near Provolt
The Oregon State Police arrested an Eagle Point man for causing traffic disruption on Williams Highway near Provolt early yesterday. According to OSP, troopers received multiple calls about a male subject who was walking in and out of traffic near milepost 9 of Highway 238 on Friday shortly after 2 a.m.. Fortunately, there were no crashes or injuries reported. Troopers responded and made contact with the 40-year-old man who was highly intoxicated and still standing on the highway. He was placed into custody.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:32AM by Chuck Benson
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GP Police Arrested Man for Trespassing on His Parents' Property on Gaffney Way
Grants Pass Police arrested a man this week for trespassing on his parents' property in the southeast part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint involving a 24-year-old man in the 1700-block of Gaffney Way on Thursday. Police said one of the man's parents called 9-1-1 to report their son previously had been trespassed from their property and that he had returned, refusing to leave the premises. He told officers he came onto the property to fill up a water bottle from an outdoor faucet.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:30AM by Chuck Benson
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RCC Accepted as Member of League for Innovation in Community Colleges
Rogue Community College has been accepted as a member of the "League for Innovation in Community Colleges" board. The League is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate innovation in the community college environment. Their initiatives focus on essential topics for community colleges including diversity, equity and inclusion, information technology, leadership development and workforce development. When the League board reviewed the dynamics of its current membership, they identified RCC as a potential board member due to its historical commitment to innovation and RCC President Randy Weber's history with the League. The institution where worked prior to RCC was a League board school. The affirmation process included the completion of an innovation report submitted by RCC last fall, followed by a vote from current League board members made up of college chief executive officers. RCC will benefit in many ways from joining the League board. Membership elevates the college's reputation as a leader in innovation, helps the school become eligible for grant opportunities funded by national organizations and offers increased professional development for college employees looking to bring innovative strategies to RCC.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:28AM by Chuck Benson
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Salvation Army Hope House Center Opens with Generous Support of Donors
The Salvation Army is proud to announce the opening of The Hope House Recreational and Wellness Center in Medford. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last seek for the transformative community space aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being, educational opportunities and community engagement at 1065 Crews Road. This new space was made possible by the generous support of community partners and donors. It embodies The Salvation Army's commitment to serve those in need and fostering a sense of hope and empowerment. The Hope House features comprehensive amenities including an exercise room, a computer lab for job and housing searches, afterschool tutoring programs, and special recreational spaces for individuals and families.
Posted on 3/16/24 4:26AM by Chuck Benson
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