Local News

Oregon State Police responded to a fatal two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 90 in Douglas County Monday at 3 p.m. A white Freightliner commercial motor vehicle hauling a loaded trailer, operated by Brenden Larry Christensen, 61, of San Diego, had stalled on an uphill grade in the outside lane while traveling northbound on I-5 near Canyonville. The Freightliner was then struck by a maroon Honda CRV, operated by Davin Jack Smith, 18, of El Sobrante, causing the Honda and cargo in the commercial motor vehicle to catch fire. The Freightliner had reportedly stalled several times prior to the collision while climbing the grade. Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three passengers in the Honda, Smith's father, sibling, and family friend, were transported to area hospitals with both serious and minor injuries. Christensen was not injured. Impairment is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash, and he was arrested for DUII and manslaughter. The highway was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners moved 3-0 to terminate the current budget committee members and ask for reapplications with positions for one, two, and three year terms. The board also approved a proposed hiring process for the Interim Emergency Manager Position, currently held by Sheriff Dave Daniel, during their 1:30 p.m. workshop. Applicants will be considered by a panel made up of Sheriff Daniel, Illinois Valley Fire Defense Board Chief John Holmes, Grants Pass Fire Chief Jimmy Sanchez, and Emergency Managers from both Douglas and Jackson Counties, Emily Ring and Delaney Richmond respectively. Human Resources will oversee the panel. The board also approved a Social Media Archiving Subscription used for criminal investigations and records requests. According to the Sheriff, the cost would be roughly $5,000 each month for a year. A motion to approve an Oregon Department of Corrections Intergovernmental Agreement passed 3-0, providing notification to victims if an offender is released or going to be released. Without objection, a Carson Fuel Invoice from Public Works was approved.

 

The results are in for the biggest Josephine County Food Bank's Say Cheese Fundraiser.

Thirty different restaurants participated throughout the month of March to, not only support the food bank, but to see who makes the 'Best Grilled Cheese in Grants Pass'. In a post on Facebook, the food bank announced the recipient of that honor is Cartwright's Taprock Northwest Grill.

Other awards went to the Wild River Pub for the 'Most Unique'. The 'Most Gourmet' grilled cheese went to Provolt Country Store and Deli, and the 'Cheesiest' went to Creekside Pizza and Pastaria.

For every grilled cheese sandwich sold from participating restaurants, two dollars were donated to the food bank, providing four meals for those struggling with food insecurity. Official tabulated results have yet to be released.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman trespassing at Resting Site 7, and cited three others Monday.

Officers on a patrol check of the 712 NE 7th Street site located Laurie Johnson around 12:28 p.m. She was warned for Disorderly Conduct, and promptly taken into custody for Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

Other suspects on site, John Cook, Kacie Huntley, and Michelle Richardson, were also contacted by law enforcement. All three were issued citations for Exceeding Footprint and Exceeding Stay at the resting site.

All were further issued exclusions, Huntley for 90 days, and Richardson and Cook for 30 days. Officers transported Johnson to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility where she was lodged for her trespassing charge.

 

Rural Metro Fire responded to two fires overnight in the Mid Rogue Fire District.

Crews were notified that one half of a duplex was fully involved in the 100 block of Peckerwood Lane in Fruitdale Monday at 10:07 p.m. Rural Metro Fire and Grants Pass Fire arrived and quickly knocked down the blaze, sparing the adjacent apartment.

All occupants were able to exit safely, and American Red Cross is assisting occupants who were displaced.

Then, at 6:04 this morning, a fire inside a commercial powder coating oven in the North Valley Industrial Park scrambled firefighters from the Rural Metro Station across the street.

Crews were on scene in seconds and were able to knock down the flames quickly, preventing any spread to the facility. Site workers helped crews with containment efforts. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is assisting with both investigations.

 

Grants Pass Police officers cited one and lodged another during an area check of WinCo.

Monday afternoon around 4:10, officers detained Kirk Whitworth in the passenger seat of a vehicle at the 231 NE Terry Lane store. He was observed slumped over in the passenger seat with drug items on his lap and in the car in plain view.

Whitworth was arrested and then issued a criminal citation for Possession of both Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. During this time, officers identified a woman inside the WinCo, Jacqueline Grass, who was associated with both the vehicle and Whitworth.

She was found to be wanted on an active warrant out of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office charging her with Parole Violation for Failure to Comply. Officers took Grass into custody around 4:25 p.m. She was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for her warrant.

 

An employee of Ewing Outdoor Supply reported a man sleeping on the businesses pallets to Grants Pass Police Monday.

The suspect, Ryan Jantz, was spotted at the 906 SW 6th Street location sleeping, and was promptly asked to leave the premises at 6:57 a.m. He refused to do so, and the employee called 911 requesting Jantz be trespassed.

Officers arrived and contacted Jantz. Among his possessions including a bicycle and sleeping bag, he had a methamphetamine pipe in plain sight as well. Officers took Jantz into custody.

He was transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility and lodged for Meth Possession, and Second Degree Trespass. Jail records show he was released this morning pending charges from the District Attorney.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two men wanted on a total of three warrants from separate agencies Monday afternoon.

The first suspect, Dustin Kelly, was contacted and detained at the corner of Three Pines Road and Monument Drive around 1:28 p.m. Deputies confirmed his warrant charging him with Assault.

Kelly was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail, and deputies were soon alerted to a vehicle obstructing traffic around 2:53 p.m.

The vehicle with its hazard lights on was parked at the corner of Fish Hatchery Road and Old Redwood Highway. There was no one inside the vehicle and other motorists had been driving past it for over an hour.

Deputies learned the registered owner of the car had misdemeanor warrants out of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and from Jackson County. The suspect, identified as Timothy Cooper, had left the scene on foot down Old Redwood Highway.

He was soon detained at 3:48 p.m. and taken into custody. Cooper was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for his warrants charging him with Contempt of Court and DUI. Jail logs show he was conditionally released.

 

Applications are being accepted for two positions on the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission.

The committee’s purpose is to review proposed alterations to any Historic District or designated structure in the Urban Growth Boundary. Other responsibilities include promoting the community's historic preservation, advising other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and identifying areas and buildings of historic or archeological significance.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. One position is for a representative who is the owner of a business located within the Central Business District of the City of Grants Pass, expiring December 7th, 2026. The other is for a representative from the local historical society in Grants Pass, expiring May 3rd, 2027.

Applications are available at the City Administration Office, 101 N.W. A Street, or online at www.grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. June 4th.

Applicants will be interviewed by the commission at the Historical Buildings and Sites Commission meeting on June 11th, and by the City Council at their workshop June 29th. Appointments will be made at the City Council meeting July 1st.