Local News

Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded Wednesday at 7:46 a.m. to a residence in the 300 block of Cherokee Lane in Grants Pass for a report of a male being shot in the chest. Upon arrival, deputies detained multiple individuals and rendered aid to the victim. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police responded to the scene and began their investigation. The suspect was identified as Eric Commins. He had fired multiple rounds from a .22 caliber pistol at the victim inside the residence. Commins cooperated with the investigation and was later arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for First Degree Assault, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The victim, Alejandro Soto, was transported to Rogue Regional Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. No further details are being released.

 

A 39-year-old White City man died Tuesday night after becoming unresponsive during a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office DUII arrest. Dispatch received a 911 call at 9:17 p.m. from a man who was speaking incoherently and appeared to be confused. During the call, he reported that someone may have drugged him. Deputies responded to the area of Table Rock Road and Orr Drive, where they found the man in the roadway obstructing traffic and exhibiting signs of intoxication. During the investigation, deputies learned the man had driven to the location and took him into custody for a controlled substance DUII at 9:44 p.m. He resisted deputies, who lowered him to the ground to maintain control and called for additional units. Deputies also requested medical personnel to stage nearby. The man then appeared to lose consciousness. Deputies placed him in the recovery position and requested medical personnel respond to the scene. Moments later, the man regained consciousness and began talking and physically resisting deputies again. Oregon State Police troopers arrived to assist. Mercy Flights medics arrived at 9:51 p.m. and evaluated him on the ground. The man was moved to a gurney and soon became unresponsive. Paramedics immediately began life-saving measures, which continued until 10:42 p.m.

 

An aggressive initial attack held the Upper Applegate Road Fire halted forward progress according to the Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon District.

Crews arrived on the scene of the grass fire that broke out along the road. Upon initial arrival, firefighter access was limited due to an energized power pole within the fire area. Crews adapted their approach, using aircraft and alternate access points to safely engage the fire.

Forward progression of the fire was stopped at an estimated 1 to 2 acres. Both Air Attack and the Type 3 aircraft have since been released. Crews will remain on scene to strengthen control lines, continue mop-up operations, and check for remaining heat.

Traffic delays are expected along Upper Applegate Road. Please avoid the area if possible as law enforcement directs traffic around the incident. The official cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man sleeping in the back of a pickup truck Thursday morning.

The suspect, Derek King, was located sleeping in the bed of a truck which he had no right to. He was taken into custody around 6:50 p.m., and his parole officer was contacted, leading to a detainer being placed on king per request.

Officers found King was in possession of Methamphetamine during a consent search of his person, so he was further charged with Possession of Meth. Other charges against King included Second Degree Criminal Trespass, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies contacted a man wanted on an out-of-county warrant while on a separate call for service.

Law enforcement constructively detained the suspect in the 4,000 block of Foothill Boulevard around 11:24 a.m. He was identified as Dylan Lach, and found to have a warrant out of the Medford Police Department charging him with Theft in the Second Degree.

Deputies proceeded to cite Lach for his warrant. He is set to appear in Jackson County Circuit Court September 2nd at 9 a.m.

 

The official grand reopening of the newly renovated upper section of Whitehorse Park is set for Wednesday, September 2nd.

According to a release, the community is invited to the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00 a.m. after which they can tour the newly renovated campground. The upper section has been redesigned with wider, more level campsites, full hook ups, partial or tent sites, all providing campers with improved access, easier set-up and more comfortable spaces to enjoy the outdoors, while maintaining the beautiful natural surroundings, history, and views.

The renovation represents a significant investment in improving the camping experience at Whitehorse Park. This project was supported in part with grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program and the County Opportunity Grant.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests will have an opportunity to see the improvements, hear what’s still to come, and talk with the park rangers. Campers with reservations may begin checking in at 2:00 p.m. the same day.

You can make your camping reservations either online at www.josephinecounty.gov/parks, or by calling 541-474-5285.

 

Rogue Community College is offering a Supervisory and Leadership Bootcamp in September designed to strengthen leadership and supervisory skills for current and emerging leaders across business, public and nonprofit sectors.

This three-part, in-person workshop will meet September 9th, 16th, and 23rd at the Redwood Campus in Grants Pass. The cost is $225 per person and includes all materials. Registration is open now through September 2nd.

Participants will engage in interactive learning focused on real-world leadership scenarios, building both confidence and competence in topics including developing a personal leadership plan, adapting communication and leadership styles, and strengthening decision-making.

To register, visit www.roguecc.edu/LeadershipBootcamp. For more information, contact RCC Community & Workforce Training at 541-956-7303.

 

Firefighters on the Fielder Mountain Fire continued making progress across the incident, pushing forward on mop-up and repair work for the 72% contained, 573 acre fire. Overnight, engines patrolled the fire area, looking for any signs of smoke or fire. Flare-ups were minimal across the incident; this limited fire activity has prompted a decrease in firefighting resources working overnight. Most of the contained line is along the southern and eastern perimeter near Rogue River, where mop-up has been completed 300-feet into the interior of the fire. Today, resources will continue these operations across the rest of the fire, focusing along the western and northern edges, and continuing repair work. Temperatures are expected to reach triple-digits today. Relative humidity is expected to span between 20-30% across the fire area, with light winds predicted. As containment increases, resources that are no longer needed on the fire are being demobilized to either return home and rest or respond to other fires across the state.

 

A gas leak was reported Wednesday at 6:42 p.m., leading to a response from emergency crews.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and ODF Southwest Oregon District responded to an external gas leak in the 5700 block of Westside Road in Cave Junction.

A propane tank connected to a gas grill experienced a malfunction, resulting in a fire that caused damage to the exterior of both a residence and a trailer. The owner successfully extinguished the fire using a garden hose. Upon arrival, the unit observed the tank continuing to off-gas and subsequently relocated it to a more secure area.

A garden hose was utilized to facilitate cooling. Both the house and trailer were inspected for any fire extensions, with none being found. No injuries were reported. The tank subsequently emptied, and the immediate threat was mitigated.