Local News

MPD Confiscated Gun from High School Student Who Brought It to Campus
Authorities confiscated a gun from a South Medford High School student after they brought the firearm to campus this week. The Medford Police Department reports the resource officer assigned to the high school was contacted Tuesday by staff and made aware that they received a report that a student was in possession of a handgun in their backpack while on campus. The information was brought to school officials' attention by other students. The School Resource Officer quickly acted to locate the student and learned they had left campus. The SRO and school officials responded to the student's home and -- in cooperation with the parents - recovered the gun at the residence. According to MPD, the source of the firearm and the circumstances surrounding its possession are under investigation. So far, no arrests have been made. The Medford School District notified parents of SMHS students about the incident via e-mail, outlining the cooperation with MPD and the importance of students speaking up when they see something suspicious. Parents were urged to encourage their students to "say something if they see something."
Posted on 11/16/23 6:46AM by Sam Marsh
 

New Solar Arrays Moving Southern Oregon University Toward Self-Sufficiency
Southern Oregon University is taking big strides toward becoming the first public university in the United States to produce all of the daytime electricity used on its campus. SOU signed a $1.56 million contract this fall to install new solar arrays and a battery storage facility, with onsite construction work set to begin this winter. The new installations on Lithia Motors Pavilion and The Hawk Dining Commons will increase SOU's photovoltaic output by 86% -- from the current 455 kilowatts to a total of 848 kilowatts. The two new solar facilities -- combined with existing arrays -- will enable the university to generate just over 12% of the electricity it uses. The contract with Ashland's True South Solar also includes a battery charge storage bank that will be built adjacent to The Hawk, enabling SOU to support community resilience by providing power in The Hawk in the event of an emergency. The university anticipates generating 100% of its own electricity by 2033, and is already planning subsequent rounds of solar expansion. SOU has been awarded $1 million in each of the past two years from the Oregon Department of Energy's Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, plus it received a $2 million appropriation from Congress last December.
Posted on 11/16/23 6:44AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Library Branch Features Local Author Discussion Followed by Book-Signing
Citizens are invited to meet local author Jennifer Sherman Roberts for a discussion featuring her debut novel "The Village Healer's Book of Cures" on Saturday at the Grants Pass branch of Josephine Community Library. Saturday's discussion runs from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the library branch on NW C Street followed by a book-signing event at Oregon Books & Games at 150 NE E Street from 2 to 4 p.m.. The "Village Healer's Book of Cures" takes place in 17th century England. A female healer enflames the fury of a witchfinder in this propulsive novel about murder, revenge and the dangerous power of knowledge. Jennifer Roberts is a writer, researcher, teacher and a facilitator for Oregon Humanities Conversation Projects. She received a PhD in early modern literature from the University of Minnesota. She became interested in early modern recipes and recipe books as she researched the medicinal properties of folk cures. "The Village Healer's Book of Cures" can be placed on hold for checkout at the library and is for sale at Oregon Books & Games. This program is offered at no charge and it's open to the public. A library card is not needed to participate.
Posted on 11/16/23 6:43AM by Sam Marsh
 

Authorities Disrupt Drug Trafficking Groups Operating in Grants Pass & Josephine County
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Authorities concluded an 18-month drug investigation this week when nine search warrants were served simultaneously in Grants Pass and Josephine County. On Tuesday, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Police Department and multiple interagency narcotics teams served warrants resulting in 24 arrests and the seizure of 37 firearms and $33,000 in cash as the culmination of the lengthy investigation into a local drug trafficking organization. According to OSP, the search warrants also resulted in the seizure of 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, 636 grams of fentanyl pills, 52 grams of fentanyl powder, 58 grams of cocaine, 250 pounds of marijuana and some illegal mushrooms. Detectives said the investigation had already yielded 40 pounds of meth, 9.25 pounds of fentanyl, three pounds of cocaine and a half-pound of heroin over the course of 18 months. They said these quantities are significant and their removal from the local distribution chain is a significant outcome of the investigation. Very small amounts of fentanyl -- as little as two milligrams -- can be deadly. The fentanyl seized had the potential to yield more than 144,000 deadly doses. In Oregon, the DEA has seized more than 3.84 million deadly doses of fentanyl so far this year, which is double the amount seized in 2022. The names of the two-dozen arrestees and their alleged crimes has not yet been released. The case is being prosecuted by the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.
Posted on 11/16/23 6:39AM by Sam Marsh
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GP City Council Awards Five Tourism Grants and Reallocates Funds for Warming Shelter
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The Grants Pass City Council last night approved the dispersal of tourism grants and reallocated American Rescue Plan Act funds to facilitate a warming shelter. Five applicants will be awarded transient lodging tax funds following submission for the fall application cycle of the City's Sustainable Tourism Grant program. The program aims to encourage tourism from outside a 50-mile radius from the city. The Council's resolution authorizes the award of $5,000 each to the Grants Pass Rotary Club Foundation and Grants Pass Downs. The Grants Pass High School Band Boosters and the Grants Pass Museum of Art will each receive $3,750. Rogue Valley Classic Cruisers will be awarded $3,500. Councilors also approved the reallocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $67,500 from public infrastructure to affordable housing and unhoused services on a 4-3 vote. The movement of funds was in response to an announcement from the United Community Action Network (UCAN) that there is no money to operate a warming shelter. UCAN stated that it is willing to offer operational support. The group "Partners Assisting the Homeless" is also available to assist with volunteers. The funds will ensure the availability of a warming shelter in Grants Pass this winter. The City Council also filled seven openings on the Sustainability & Energy Action Committee.
Posted on 11/16/23 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
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Commissioners Cancel Next Week's Business Session & Hear Several Public Comments
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The Josephine County Board of Commissioners had only one action item on its agenda for Wednesday's business session, but an abundance of public comments extended the meeting to more than 30 minutes. The Board approved an order canceling next Wednesday's business session for a number of reasons including a lack of a quorum on the day before Thanksgiving. Two out of the three commissioners are required to conduct business. Before approving the order unanimously, Board Chair Herman Baertschiger said staff members informed him that there were no pressing business items for the agenda. Commissioners John West and Dan DeYoung agreed to the cancellation. During Requests and Comments from Citizens, a number of participants were given three minutes to address the Board on issues pertaining to Josephine County. The comments ranged from both positive and negative feedback on the apparent voter approval of a new law enforcement district in last week's election to future fire district assessments, the rural-urban divide, the proliferation of trash in the county and sharing with others on Thanksgiving.
Posted on 11/16/23 6:28AM by Sam Marsh
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GPCC Awards 5 Grants Totaling $21K Plus Reallocated Funds for Warming Shelter
Grants Pass City Councilors approved the dispersing of tourism grant funds and reallocated ARPA funds to facilitate a warming shelter at the Wednesday night business session. Five applicants will be awarded Lodging Tax funds following their submission for the fall application cycle of the City’s Sustainable Tourism Grant program. The program is to encourage tourism from outside a 50-mile radius from the city. The Council’s resolution authorizes the award of $5,000 each to the Grants Pass Rotary Club Foundation and Grants Pass Downs. The Grants Pass High School Band Boosters and the Grants Pass Museum of Art will receive $3,750. Rogue Valley Classic Cruisers will be awarded $3,500. Councilors also approved reallocating American Rescue Plan Act funds in the amount of $67,500 from public infrastructure for affordable housing to affordable housing and unhoused programs and services on a 4 to 3 vote. The movement of funds is in response to the announcement from United Community Action Network(UCAN) that there are no funds to operate a warming center with winter weather approaching. UCAN is willing to offer operational support. Partners Assisting the Homeless is also available to assist with volunteers. The funds will assure the availability of a warming center in Grants Pass this winter. The resolution was passed on a 4 to 3 vote. The Council filled seven openings on the Sustainability and Energy Action Committee. David Koehler was appointed as the Energy Efficiency Specialist, Dustin Blue was appointed as the Solar/Energy technology specialist, Horace Stodola was appointed as the representative with solid waste or recycling experience, Matthew Rosen was appointed as a data analyst and Shannon Hoist was appointed as the student representative. Tom Bradbeer and Dorothy Swain were appointed as at large members.
Posted on 11/15/23 7:49PM by Chuck Benson
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Major Drug Bust in GP Announced by DEA & Grants Pass Police Department
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The DEA Seattle Field Division announced in a Wednesday morning press conference held at Grants Pass City Police headquarters that 24 arrests and 37 firearms were seized Tuesday morning as a result nine search warrants being executed simultaneously with all but one in Josephine County.
The Drug Enforcement Administration along with the Grants Pass Police Department, Oregon State Police, and multiple local interagency drug teams concluded an 18-month investigation Tuesday morning with the service of the nine separate warrants. The mass operation resulted in 24 arrests plus the seizure of 37 firearms and 33,000 dollars in cash as the culmination of an 18-month long investigation into a local drug trafficking organization. Additionally, the search warrants resulted in 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, 636g of fentanyl pills, 52g of fentanyl powder, 58g of cocaine, 250 pounds of marijuana, and ¾ of a pound of illegal mushrooms.The investigation had already yielded 40 pounds of methamphetamine, 9.25 pounds of fentanyl, 3 pounds of cocaine, and ½ a pound of heroin over the course of 18 months. These quantities are significant and their removal from the distribution chain is a significant outcome. The names of the suspects that were arrested have not yet been released. The case will be prosecuted by the Josephine County District Attorney’s office. This is one operation of an ongoing investigation.
Posted on 11/15/23 2:08PM by Chuck Benson
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BCC Cancels Next Week's Business Session & Hears Several Public Comments
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners had only one action item on its agenda for today's business session, but an abundance of public comments made the meeting last more than 30 minutes. The Board approved an order canceling next Wednesday's business session for a number of reasons including a lack of a quorum on the day before Thanksgiving. Two out of the three commissioners are required to conduct business. Before approving the order unanimously, Board Chair Herman Baertschiger said staff members informed him that there were no pressing business items for the agenda. Commissioners John West and Dan DeYoung agreed to the cancellation, but reserved the right to hold other meetings on Monday and Tuesday, if needed. During Requests and Comments from Citizens, a number of participants were given three minutes to address the Board on issues pertaining to Josephine County. The comments ranged from both positive and negative feedback on the apparent voter approval of a new law enforcement district in last week's election to future fire district assessments, the rural-urban divide, the proliferation of trash in the county and sharing with others on Thanksgiving.
Posted on 11/15/23 11:34AM by Sam Marsh
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Police Seized Gun from Student Who Brought It to South Medford HS Campus
Authorities confiscated a gun from a South Medford High School student after they brought the firearm to campus yesterday. The Medford Police Department reports the resource officer assigned to the high school was contacted by staff and made aware that they had received a report that a student was in possession of a handgun in their backpack while on campus. The information was brought to school officials' attention by other students. The School Resource Officer quickly acted to locate the student and learned they had left campus. The SRO and school officials responded to the student's home and -- in cooperation with the parents - recovered the gun at the residence. According to MPD, the source of the firearm and the circumstances surrounding its possession are under investigation. So far, no arrests have been made. The Medford School District notified parents of SMHS students about the incident via e-mail, outlining the cooperation with MPD and the importance of students speaking up when they see something suspicious. Parents were urged to encourage their students to "say something if they see something."
Posted on 11/15/23 11:32AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Woman for Violating Court Order by Contacting Protected Party
Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for violating a court order after she unlawfully made contact with the protected party late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers arrested 44-year-old Angela Drusella Juandedios for the incident at a home in the 2100-block of NW North Hill Drive on Tuesday at 7:34 p.m.. The incident was reported around 5:30 p.m.. Police said the female victim advised that Juandedios violated the stalking order by yelling at her while she was inside the residence. The caller said the suspect yelled at her again when she exited the home. Officers contacted the suspect about two hours later and she denied the contact, even though several people were identified as witnesses. The suspect tried to pull away from officers during detainment and when being placed in a patrol vehicle. Angela Juandedios was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of Contempt of Court-Stalking Order Violation and one count of Resisting Arrest. She was being held without bail.
Posted on 11/15/23 11:30AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Collared Fugitive on State & Local Warrants on Railroad Property
Grants Pass Police apprehended a fugitive wanted on statewide and local warrants yesterday while performing a patrol check on railroad property on the west side of the city. The Police Department reports officers arrested 32-year-old Aliczandr Mikal McClymonds on the railroad property near NW Sun View Place on Tuesday at 12:42 p.m.. Police said McClymonds was one of five people who were contacted and then trespassed from the railroad property. They said he was found to be wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation, a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for 4th-Degree Assault and a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. Aliczander McClymonds was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. Upon booking, deputies located a counterfeit $100 bill which was seized for further investigation.
Posted on 11/15/23 11:29AM by Sam Marsh
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