Local News

The I-5 MM 57 NB Fire remains at 100 acres and is 55% contained after firefighters made further progress yesterday. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports crews focused on systematically gridding the fire area Wednesday to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots. An infrared equipped UAS helped map lingering heat overnight, allowing firefighters to identify additional hotspots. Today, firefighters will build on this progress with extensive mop-up and gridding operations, working up to 300 feet into the fire perimeter and removing hazardous snags throughout steep, heavily timbered terrain. A reconnaissance flight is planned to help confirm any remaining areas of heat or concern, and aircraft are ready to support ground crews if needed. Resources assigned to the blaze include four 20-person hand crews, five Type 6 engines, one Type 3 engine, two water tenders, two dozers, three skid units, one falling module, and a reconnaissance flight. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect, as well as a Level 1: BE READY Evacuation Warning for Zones GRA-022, GRA-034, GRA-036, JCU-422-B, and JCU-422-C.

 

A traffic accident involving two pinned individuals occurred at the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Reeves Creek Road in Selma.

Wednesday around 3:25 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-vehicle incident where the vehicle collided with a tree.

Of the two occupants, one successfully self-extricated, while the other needed full extrication, requiring the removal of the vehicle's rooftop. Both individuals were then transported for medical attention. The scene was turned over to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for investigation.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating a missing person. Reid Litwack was last seen Tuesday, August 4th, at Wild Cat rapid in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River while on a rafting trip. He was last seen wearing a red long sleeve shirt with a hood and green pants. He is described as a 65-year-old white male standing 5'4" tall, weighing 140 lbs, with reddish gray hair, and blue eyes. If you have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, 541-474-5123. Reference Case # 26-21169.

 

The Grants Pass City Council considered revised procedures for the conduct of city business during public meetings. Basically stating members of the public treat one another with dignity and respect. Also in the decorum section it states any person who is disorderly, abusive, disruptive or threatening may, after a warning, may by removed by law enforcement. During public comment on conduct resolution a citizen overran his authorized three minutes and refused to relinquish the microphone. Mayor Scherf, after consultation with the city manager, recessed the meeting. Following a short time the meeting was called back to order. The resolution passed on a 6 to 1 vote with Councilor Krohn casting the dissenting voteThe Council again addressed a sign code appeal for a combination Dutch Bros/Les Schwab sign along Foothill Boulevard and the Grants Pass Parkway. The height and square footage of the proposed sign does not meet city codes. The appeal is asking for the sign to be 100 feet tall to attract I-5 travelers. The appeal was approved unanimously. Then the Council heard a public hearing for the proposed Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant program. The plan is a necessary prerequisite for the City to receive its annual allocation of HUD monies to fund the identified projects and activities in the plan. The plan must be in HUD's possession by August 14th. The funds are distributed by application for assistance for bathroom repair, damaged HVAC systems, upgrading electrical systems, replacing damaged roofs, repairing plumbing among other situations. 29 applications were approved last year. The funds are also distributed to certain other agencies like the Boys and Girls Club and the Maslo project. The plan was also approved unanimously.

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported grass fire last night in the 8000 block of Highway 62 in White City, resulting in the arrest of a juvenile suspect.

Jackson County Fire District 3 and Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters quickly extinguished the fire before it got out of control. Deputies detained the suspect on scene.

Tuesday at 7:22 p.m., motorists on Highway 62 had spotted flames and immediately called 911. Witnesses saw an individual standing near the field watching the fire grow. Upon arrival, deputies located a burned section of grass measuring approximately 40 x 40 feet and contacted the suspect standing near the scene.

He admitted to starting the fire, and deputies recovered matches from his possession. Deputies also received information the youth was involved in a similar brush fire incident the previous day. He was taken into custody without incident. Due to his age, his identity will not be released.

The blaze was quickly contained before it could spread to adjacent commercial buildings or nearby residential neighborhoods. The investigation is ongoing.

 

Lemonade stands will soon be placed all over town for this weekend's annual Lemonade Day event, presented by the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce.

According to the Lemonade Day website, this Saturday from noon until 3 p.m., young entrepreneurs will be selling their final product after learning through the course of the program about how to start, own, and operate their own lemonade stand.

They are then encouraged to spend some of their earnings, save some for the future, and share some with a local non-profit of their choice. Prizes will be given for the best product and most creative stand, and participants will have a chance to be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.

81 stands will be set up, with a full map of the locations at local.lemonadeday.org/grants-pass.

 

A man turned himself in Tuesday after breaking doors at Genoa Healthcare.

Dispatch was notified of the incident by the nurse manager of the 1545 Harbeck Road location at 11:17 a.m. It was reported the suspect had broken two internal doors and a glass door with his foot and hand about five minutes prior to the call.

He had left the scene west on Harbeck by skateboard, and was described as bald with a medium build, wearing a gray shirt, and jeans. Officers soon located the suspect, identified as Caleb Jordan, after he turned himself in to them. He was trespassed from the incident location and taken into custody.

Police lodged Jordan in the Josephine County Jail for a charge of First Degree Criminal Mischief.

 

Emergency crews responded to a traffic accident that occurred this morning at the intersection of West Side Road and Finch Road in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to the scene of a vehicular accident that occurred around 7:20 a.m. Upon arrival, initial responders determined that a vehicle had entered a ditch, and the occupant sustained no injuries.

The scene was subsequently released to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.

 

Officers arrested a two suspects wanted on Oregon Parole Board warrants outside Police Department Headquarters.

Tuesday around 9:01 a.m., the first suspect, while riding his bicycle, was stopped for observed violations. The officer identified him as William O'Malley and found he had a warrant out for his arrest for Assault.

While the officer was arresting O'Malley, another officer contacted Caitlin Wakefield at the same location. She was found to be wanted on a warrant out of Curry County for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle. She then admitted to having meth, and both officers conducted a search of her property.

Several baggies, loaded syringes, and small baggies containing a crystal like substance were located in Wakefield's possession. Both she and O'Malley were taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for their warrants. A charge of Meth Possession will be referred to the District Attorney's Office.