Local News

An officer-involved shooting occurred on the Parkway Bridge Saturday. No official information has been released at this time. The Grants Pass Police Department is advising the public to avoid the bridge due to extended police activity. There is no danger to the public at this time. Video footage posted to Facebook shows an individual on the bridge possibly holding a gun. Shots were fired, and the individual is then seen on the ground as officers perform CPR and emergency crews arrive. Detours are in place as the investigation continues.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended two men Thursday, one for possession of a controlled substance, and the other for failing to register as a sex offender.

At 11:25 a.m., deputies detained Kevin Reeves at the Josephine County Community Corrections Department per his Parole Officer's request. Reeves presented a bag of an unknown substance to his Parole Officer during check in.

The substance tested positive for amphetamines, so Reeves was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Meth and a Parole Violation Detainer.

Then at 8:47 p.m., deputies contacted James Harelson in a white pickup in the 5,900 block of Riverbanks Road. He wasn't being compliant with law enforcement, so he was detained.

Haralson was taken into custody for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and subsequently lodged in the Josephine County Jail. A friend of Harelson was coming to move the pickup out of the shared driveway.

 

The owner of the A1 Market and Deli at 605 NE 7th Street reported a suspect trespassing at his business.

An employee of the market called the owner, alerting him of the incident. After getting a description of the man, the owner called dispatch again. The suspect, a white male with short hair, a black shirt, and blue pants, was causing a mess at the market inside and out.

The owner requested the suspect be trespassed. Grants Pass Police arrived at the scene, where it appeared the man had fallen over a parking wire and was sleeping on the north side of the building.

The suspect, identified as William Muir, had his belongings scattered around the area, and the officer observed a strong odor of alcohol. Muir was woken up and displayed indicators of impairment. He admitted to consuming alcohol, despite being on probation.

His Parole Officer was contacted, and Muir was taken into custody. Law enforcement transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for a detainer. He was also trespassed from the market.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a suspect known to be wanted on a warrant early this morning.

Tammy Whetzel was recognized by an officer at the Newman United Methodist Church at 132 NE B Street around 3:02 a.m. A second unit was requested and Whetzel was taken into constructive custody.

The officer knew Whetzel had an active warrant out for her arrest charging her with Possession of Oxycodone. Her identity was confirmed and her Parole Officer was notified.

Whetzel was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on her warrant plus a detainer requested by her Parole Officer.

 

A man trespassed from Rogue Recovery Center returned, warranting a response from the Grants Pass Police Department.

On Thursday at 6:13 p.m., the suspect, Robert Smith, was reported to be inside the 550 SW 6th Street business. Dispatch was told he was walking in circles and grabbing items from a table.

The caller wished to press charges, and when officers arrived at the scene, they took Smith into custody. His Parole officer was advised of the situation, and a detainer for Smith was requested.

Officers transported Smith to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged on his detainer and a charge of Second Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

On Thursday, a man under the influence at the McDonalds was observed by Parole Officers.

The suspect, Nicholas Knowles, was reported to dispatch at the 204 NE Beacon Drive restaurant. Law enforcement assistance was requested by the officers at 4:49 p.m. A detainer was placed on Knowles, and upon arrival, Grants Pass Police took him into custody.

A glass smoking device with residue was located on Knowles during a search of his person, which he would not consent to. There were no charges made against Knowles regarding the device, and it was placed into evidence for destruction.

Knowles was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on his detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police were alerted to a man acting erratically at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley Thursday afternoon.

An employee of the club reported to dispatch at 2:13 p.m. that the suspect had been on the scene for 10 minutes in the way of where the busses park. He was taking his clothes off and scratching himself. The employee believed the man was highly under the influence.

A request was made for the man to be trespassed from the 203 SE 9th Street business. Officers arrived and were able to detain the suspect, Shane Barton, who was wanted on a valid and serviceable warrant out of the GPPD for Third Degree Theft.

Barton's identity and warrant were confirmed, and he was lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Barton and another man on the scene were trespassed from the club.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is warning Oregonians of phishing scams going around from senders claiming to be with ODOT and DMV. In a release from ODOT, Oregon DMV Public Information Officer Chris Crabb said, "If you receive an unsolicited text claiming to be from ODOT or DMV saying you owe money for an unpaid traffic fine or toll balance, it’s a scam. Do not click any links or provide payment or personal identifying information. These are fake messages designed to steal your personal and financial information." The latest scam messages are sent from an unknown phone number and typically begin with urgent language such as, "Evasion Notice for Oregon Traffic Court" or "Final Notice – Toll Violation". Oregonians are reminded to ignore and delete the scam text messages and block the number to prevent further potential harm. You can report scams and suspicious communications to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. If you clicked on a link or provided personal information, secure your personal information and financial accounts, dispute any unfamiliar charges, and file a customer complaint with Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office attempted to contact a man walking into traffic at the corner of S Hussey Avenue and W Watkins Street.

On Thursday around 11:51 a.m., the suspect, later identified as Floyd Greenlee, refused to cooperate with law enforcement, walking away and resisting arrest. He was soon detained and taken into custody.

Greenlee was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for initial charges of Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of Methamphetamine. An additional charge was added for Interfering with a Peace Officer.