Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man found trespassing in the downtown exclusion zone.

The suspect, Ronald Spears, was again contacted downtown in the Grasshopper parking lot at 201 NW F Street. He had no lawful reason to be there, and was in violation of two previous exclusion orders.

Officers took Spears into custody at the scene, transported him to the Josephine County Jail for lodging on a Second Degree Trespass charge, and issued him a 180-Day Downtown Exclusion Order. His property was logged for safekeeping.

 

Firefighters are continuing to build on suppression efforts at the West Fork Evans Creek Fire, increasing containment to 48% this morning. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District, with established firelines holding well around the 283-acre fire, crews are working toward extending mop-up operations 150 feet into the burned area. Following Monday's progress, firefighters are concentrating on locating and extinguishing remaining areas of heat while continuing to address hazardous trees and difficult terrain. Today's resources include 15 20-person hand crews, one eight-person hand crew, seven Type 6 engines, 10 water tenders and one dozer, supported by task force leaders, heavy equipment bosses, falling resources and additional overhead personnel. Drier conditions are expected today, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s and relative humidity dropping into the mid-20% range. No structures have been lost as a result of the fire, and none are threatened at this time.

 

A traffic accident dispatched emergency crews Monday afternoon to the 200 block of S Redwood Highway in Cave Junction.

The Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the rear-end collision earlier around 1:51 p.m.

Upon arrival, both vehicles involved in the accident were located in the parking lot. One individual from the impacted vehicle was transported by AMR as a precautionary measure.

The Sheriff’s Office assumed responsibility for the investigation.

 

As containment increases on the West Fork Evans Creek Fire to 45%, suppression operations are being adjusted to reflect the changing needs of the 283-acre incident. The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District reports crews completed mop-up approximately 100 feet into the burned area around the entire perimeter. Monday's suppression efforts focused on addressing remaining heat and removing hazards that could interfere with operations. Last night's resources included six 20-person hand crews, six Type 6 engines and five water tenders, supported by three task force leaders, two heavy equipment bosses and two heavy equipment boss trainees. No structures have been lost as a result of the fire, and none are threatened at this time. The cause of the fire is not immediately apparent, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to determine how the fire started.

 

After an Executive Session Monday where counsel was consulted concerning the legal rights and duties regarding current or likely to be filed litigation, Grants Pass City Council met to discuss Fee Schedule Revisions, City Manager evaluation, and Invocation Policy and Procedures. City staff had recommended revisions for the Comprehensive Fee Schedule, including Owl Plaza rates, the cost for background checks, and restructuring of shelter charges. Annual changes are put into effect January 1st, based on the average monthly Consumer Price Index - Urban from November to October. Council agreed to increase the $7 Non-Resident Fee to $10, and implement changes made yesterday with CPI-U adjustments for January 1st. A discussion then took place for the City Manager evaluation process. The current and alternative methods were considered, with the desired outcome including fair and candid discussion, clear council expectations, constructive feedback, and future growth. A motion to adopt the new form including quarterlies, with work to be done on a 2027 360 review, the requirement that all council members fill out an evaluation form in advance, and that the mayor facilitate was discussed. November 4th will be the adoption, with the evaluation scheduled for November 18th.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies arrested a woman wanted on an out-of-county warrant early Sunday morning.

A woman was reported in the 2900 block of Merlin Road around 2:33 a.m. She was screaming and hollering, and was contacted by arriving deputies by 2:45 a.m. It was determined the suspect, Sherryl Parliament, was wanted out of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for Driving Under the Influence of Meth.

Deputies cited her to appear in Jackson County Circuit Court November 18th, then released her.

 

Officers with Grants Pass Police contacted and arrested a man parked in a no parking zone and slumped over in his vehicle for Possession of Fentanyl.

Saturday at 7:17 a.m., a welfare check was requested by a 911 caller regarding a man slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle parked in front of a fire hydrant. The vehicle wasn't blocking traffic but was running at the corner of Kellenbeck Avenue and Redwood Avenue.

Police located the suspect inside his vehicle. Drug paraphernalia including burnt foil and a tutor were located in his vehicle. He was awakened, detained, and identified as Tyler Smedley.

The paraphernalia field tested positive for fentanyl, and police lodged Smedley in the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility. His dog was secured at the shelter by Animal Control.

 

A man called 911 to report an attempted assault with a tire iron, leading to the suspect's arrest Sunday night.

Dispatch was alerted to the incident at 10:52 p.m., when the caller stated someone tried to assault him. The suspect pulled up next to the caller, then came towards his vehicle with a tire iron in hand while screaming.

The incident was reportedly a continuation of an incident that occurred the night before. The suspect swung the tire iron at the reporting party while he was still inside his vehicle, and he was unsure where on the vehicle the suspect had also hit. The caller told dispatch he was currently in the Applebee's parking lot, and law enforcement responded.

Officers arrested the suspect, Tyler Adair, and located the tire iron inside his vehicle within arm's reach. His parole officer was contacted and a detainer was issued. Adair was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Menacing, and the detainer.

 

Officers with the Grants Pass Police arrested a woman reportedly eating Dollar General merchandise Sunday afternoon.

An employee of the Redwood Avenue store notified dispatch of the theft, and that the suspect was refusing to leave. She was being profane with customers and telling them that she "talks to the devil".

By the time officers arrived, she was standing outside the store. She had stolen about $30 worth of food and clothing from the store. She denied stealing the items despite having the food with her and wearing the clothes, and at one point attempted to spit on police.

Officers identified her as Angela Vasquez, she was trespassed from the store, and lodged in jail for a Jackson County Probation Detainer and charge of Third Degree Theft.