Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for returning to his mother's residence from which he had been trespassed about one month ago. The Police Department reports officers responded to a trespassing complaint involving 41-year-old Jeremy Edward Norris at an apartment complex in the 400-block of NE Anderson Street on Sunday shortly after 8 p.m.. Police said they received a call from Norris' mother stating that her son was on the floor of her living room and he appeared to be under the influence of something. By the time officers arrived, he had left the apartment and was hiding in a utility room near the 3rd-floor elevator. Norris reportedly refused to leave the premises when asked to do so by his mother and police. Jeremy Norris was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trying to steal merchandise from Walmart in a weekend caper. According to the Police Department, officers responding to the shoplifting incident involving 24-year-old Aria Alizay Echavarria on the store on NE Terry Lane on Sunday around 11:15 a.m.. Police said Echavarria selected $87 worth of Walmart items and passed all points of sale with the intent to deprive the store of its property. She was detained and described as "uncooperative" by loss prevention. Aria Echavarria was placed into custody by police and lodged at the nearby Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. She was being held without bail.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is hosting a public field trip later this week to see the ongoing conifer mortality in southwest Oregon. During the field trip, BLM foresters will discuss the agency's plan to strategically address the current crisis with conifers. More trees in southwest Oregon died between 2015 and 2019 than in the previous four decades. Increasing tree mortality is leading to concerns about increased fire danger and public safety issues. To help address the problem, the Medford District BLM is proposing to remove dead and dying trees from up to 5,000 acres over the next five years. The work would focus along roadways, near homes and in locations where land managers will have the best opportunities to stop fires while they are small. More information can be found on the project website at "eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2027249/510." The field trip will start near Ruch in the Applegate Valley on Friday at 11 a.m.. It will end around 3 p.m.. To RSVP for the field trip, please contact Todd Boren at (541)-618-2365.

 

The Britt Festival Orchestra has announced its 2024 season, with three weeks of exciting outdoor programming in historic Jacksonville from June 13th-29th. Under the leadership of Artistic Advisor Peter Bay and Guest Conductor Alexandra Arrieche, the Britt Festival Orchestra's 62nd season highlights film music alongside beloved classical favorites. The season features four extraordinary soloists: pianist Gabriela Montero, violinist Geneva Lewis, violinist Alex Gonzalez and cellist Joshua Roman. The season will be anchored by two evenings of "Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert" following 2023's sold-out production of "The Princess Bride." John Williams' score will be performed live-to-picture by the full orchestra in one of the most iconic films of the 20th century. The Britt Festival Orchestra is well-known for showcasing living composers, and this season features works by many of the greatest composers still working today. Tickets went on sale Friday on the Britt website "brittfest.org." There will be no member pre-sale for the Britt Festival Orchestra concerts.

 

The estate of a 65-year-old man who died while hospitalized at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center sued the hospital system and a nurse on Monday, alleging the nurse replaced his prescribed fentanyl with tap water. The Oregonian reports the wrongful death suit is the first to be filed against the local hospital since the shocking disclosure by Medford police last month that they were investigating potential crimes against patients involving the theft of "controlled substances," which may have led to "adverse" outcomes for some. It’s not clear how many people were affected -- Medford police and Asante representatives have declined to say. MPD Lieutenant Geoffrey Kirkpatrick on Monday declined to answer any questions. Justin Idiart, a Southern Oregon lawyer representing the estate of Horace Wilson, said he has nine clients whose medication was swapped out. He said another five have reached out for possible representation. He said the clients include loved ones of those who died as well as people who survived. The lawsuit was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court on behalf of the estate of Wilson, who was treated at the hospital after he fell off a ladder and died of an infection. The suit names the hospital and nurse Dani Marie Schofield as defendants. Idiart said Schofield helped care for each of his clients. Schofield lives in Medford and has not been charged.

 

Last weekend's warm weather will give way to another blast of winter this week in southwest Oregon. The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Storm Watch for Jackson, Josephine, central Douglas and eastern Curry counties that runs from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening. Heavy snow is possible above 2,500 feet, with total accumulations of 12 inches possible. Snow is possible on US Highway 199 at Hayes Hill and Highway 238 at Jacksonville Hill on Thursday. Winds could gust as high as 50 miles per hour. Areas expected to be affected by the storm include Butte Falls, the Tiller-Trail Highway, Dead Indian Memorial Road, and portions of highways 62 and 140. Travel could be very difficult to impossible at times. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening and morning commutes. Travel is discouraged during the Watch period. If you must travel, stock your vehicle with an emergency kit including tire chains, a flashlight, batteries, blankets, food, water, medications and a fully-charged phone. A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow accumulations that may create dangerous travel conditions.

 

United Community Action Network (UCAN) plans to open its warming shelter this coming weekend due to predicted winter weather. The UCAN Warming Shelter is located at 1990 NW Washington Boulevard, with the entrance on NW Morgan Lane. It's scheduled to be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and guests must be inside by 9 p.m. unless prearranged. Wakeup call is at 6:30 a.m. when breakfast and coffee will be available. All guests must be off the property by 8 a.m. each day. The availability of the shelter is dependent on volunteer coverage during open hours. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please let UCAN know by calling (541)-900-5818 or e-mailing "gpwarmingshelter@gmail.com." If you have already filled out your volunteer application and are ready to go, please sign up for a shift.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing a shopping cart full of groceries from a local supermarket. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the shoplifting incident at WinCo Foods on Saturday at about 10:15 a.m.. Police said 41-year-old William Lee Asbery pushed a shopping cart full of WinCo property out of an emergency exit without paying for the merchandise. They said he was located a short time later pushing the shopping cart near the corner of NE D Street and Beacon Drive while snacking on some of the stolen items. Store surveillance captured the crime on video so Asbery was placed into custody. William Asbery was charged with 2nd-Degree Theft and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

 

A Grants Pass man who made an unwise decision to steal some snacks from a local convenience store found himself behind bars at the start of the weekend. Grants Pass Police responded to a shoplifting complaint at the Arco AM/PM store on NE Terry Lane on Friday around 8:15 p.m.. Police said 40-year-old Jameson Andrew Zottola entered the store and tucked some freeze-dried Skittles into his clothing to conceal them before buying energy drinks. They said the suspect left without making any attempt to pay for the snack and the crime was captured on video surveillance. Officers located Zottola at his residence and he admitted to the theft, stating that he didn't have enough money for the candy. He was identified by the store manager as a "frequent offender." Jameson Zottola was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail.