Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trespassing at a Rogue River Highway market and added another charge when she scuffled with officers late last week. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Li'l Pantry Market & Deli at the corner of Highway 99 and Parkdale Drive on Friday around 5:15 p.m.. Police said the store manager asked 35-year-old Richelle Marie Staples to leave the business more than five times, but she refused to do so and advised them to "call the cops." She then fled the scene and was located near the Bottle Drop Center. Staples reportedly refused to provide her name and actively resisted arrest by using force to prevent officers from placing her in a patrol vehicle. She refused to listen to lawful commands to stop resisting until officers used force to subdue her. Staples was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was positively identified by jail deputies using photos of her and her tattoos.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass teenager for stealing beer from a North Valley convenience store yesterday. OSP reports troopers were on routine patrol in the 5,000-block of Monument Drive on Sunday around 11 a.m. when they observed a physical altercation between two individuals on the passenger side of a white Toyota Camry. Troopers said the Camry took off west on Camp Joy Road and the other person who was an employee of the Li'l Pantry Market & Deli stated the subjects in the car had just stolen beer from the store. The suspect vehicle was stopped in the 3200-block of Camp Joy Road and all the occupants were detained. According to OSP, a 14-year-old Grants Pass boy admitted to stealing the beer. He was arrested for Felony 3rd-Degree Robbery and a probation detainer. He was lodged at the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center. The driver was identified as 18-year-old Jewlyanna Marie Perry of Wolf Creek. She was released pending charges being considered by the District Attorney.

 

The Oregon State Police cited a motorist for causing a crash that injured the other driver in north Grants Pass yesterday. According to OSP, troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle collision at the intersection of NE 7th Street and Morgan Lane on Sunday at about 3:45 p.m.. Troopers said evidence at the scene and witness statement indicated a Ford F-150 driven by 71-year-old Wilbur Eugene Gunderson failed to obey a traffic control device and proceeded through the intersection at the same time a Nissan Sentra driven by 49-year-old Jaime Christine Hager was also attempting to get onto southbound Interstate 5. Witness statements indicated the Nissan has a green light at the time of the crash. Hager was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries. Gunderson was not hurt, but he was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device. The damaged Nissan was towed into town.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for fighting with officers at the Sobering Center after a disturbance at a north-city gas station convenience store early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 36-year-old Cameron Michael Davis at the Pinnacle 365 station on NE 6th Street at 2:41 a.m. Sunday. Police said they contacted Davis after an employee advised he appeared to be intoxicated while making statements about driving a vehicle. They said he had slurred speech, watery and blood-shot eyes, displayed poor balance and made statements not based in reality. When advised he was under arrest, Davis walked away before complying with lawful commands. He was taken to the Sobering Center where he clenched both fists before raising one above his head and lunging toward officers. Compliance was gained by joint manipulation and he was placed into custody. Davis was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for drug possession late last week after a traffic stop near Hugo. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a unplated Chevrolet pickup driven by 45-year-old Eric Michael Spears in the 9200-block of Monument Drive on Friday around 3:15 p.m.. Deputies said they stopped Spears for the traffic violation and quickly learned that his driving privileges had been suspended. They also found him to be in possession of methamphetamine and discovered that ownership of the pickup was unclear. Spears was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. He was also cited for Driving While Suspended and the pickup was impounded.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving after he crashed a truck into a ditch in the Shan Creek area late last week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies and emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle wreck on Riverbanks Road near Shan Creek Road on Friday around 1:45 a.m.. Deputies said identified the driver of the pickup as 36-year-old Logan Kine and said he displayed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center. Kine was cited to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. The license plates did not match the vehicle, which was impounded.

 

A weekend fire came within inches of a structure in the New Hope area, but the building was saved thanks to an alert passerby. On Saturday at 12:32 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department responded to a fire in the area of New Hope Road and Teel Lane. Rural Metro officials said the fire was stopped quickly by the alert citizen who called 9-1-1 and by the property owner who had a reliable garden hose nearby. The exact cause of the fire was not disclosed, but a strong hint was given. Despite cooler weather over the weekend, officials remind residents that most outdoor activities are restricted during extreme fire danger. This includes activities such as barbecues using charcoal briquettes and the proper disposal of ash that is thought to be out.

 

After canceling this week's regular business meeting, the Grants Pass City Council will tackle a full agenda for a combination workshop and special meeting today. The City Council will open the workshop with continued discussion on public safety funding followed by a funding request from Main Street Grants Pass. A request from the Committee on Public Art to activate the Redwood Alley Mural is next along with discussion on the grant addressing homelessness. The session concludes with a review of agenda for future meetings and workshops. Following the workshop, the Council will convene for a Special Meeting to consider several Consent Agenda items. They include a contract for improvements on Hillcrest Drive, a contract for the D Street Overlay, a loan from the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund and a contract with the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority. After the Special Meeting, Mayor Clint Scherf will convene an Executive Session. The closed-door meeting includes current or likely litigation along with property transactions or negotiations. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

The Cave Junction City Council will tackle an interesting agenda when it gathers for its monthly meeting tonight. As part of the Consent Agenda, the City Council will make final preparations for the 2025 Labor Day Festival by considering a request for use of Jubilee Park and an amplified sound permit. Council action items include a request for waiver and/or extension for paving at the local KOA park and a request from the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce for the panel to enter Phase 2 of the Dark Sky Initiative. There are four resolutions on the agenda including acceptance of a land donation from Creekwood Capital and support of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG) in a Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) grant. A staff presentation on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) changes will also take place this evening. Tonight's meeting starts at 7 at Cave Junction City Hall, 222 Lister Street.