Local News

Josephine County Republican Central Committee officers, delegates, and numerous Precinct Committee Persons (PCPs) submitted their resignations on the County Courthouse steps this morning at 9 a.m. The outgoing officers cited alleged widespread misinformation, unethical conduct, and a breakdown of transparency as key reasons for their decision to step down. The resignations include officers, Chair Joseph Rice, Vice Chair Skip Welles, Secretary Karen Arzner, Treasurer Donna Nicely, Delegate II Mark Woods, and Parliamentarian Jonathan Knapp, along with all appointed leadership positions and a growing number of PCPs. There are 45 resignations, with more reportedly expected to follow. The group emphasized that their departure is not a surrender of conservative values but rather a stand for them.

 

A truck carrying large pipe rolled over on Interstate 5 near milepost 71, blocking both northbound lanes Monday evening. Rural Metro Fire and AMR responded to the scene. The driver, who had non-life-threatening injuries, was treated and then transported to Three Rivers Medical Center. Traffic was stopped for a time until the Oregon Department of Transportation could devise a plan to move the pipe, opening at least one lane. An Oregon State Police investigation determined the semi was in the slow lane when its load shifted, causing it to overturn and roll. The semi was towed from the scene.

 

Grants Pass Fire and Rescue has extended the burn permits issued in the city for October 25th through November 2nd.

These approved permits are now valid until Sunday, November 9th. No new burn permits will be approved during this extension.

In a release from Grants Pass Fire and Rescue, during the originally scheduled open burn window, the Department of Environmental Quality did not approve any burn days. Additionally, there were communication issues related to the DEQ's burn information line.

Burning is only allowed if the DEQ ventilation index for the airshed is 400 or greater. It is the responsibility of each person to check the airshed before burning.

The most up-to-date airshed information is available by calling the Burn Line at 541-476-9663.

For additional information or questions, please call the Fire Prevention Department at 541-450-6200.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a woman on a felony warrant after a traffic stop Monday afternoon.

Troopers stopped a vehicle at 1:16 p.m. in front of the Rays in Selma for traffic violations. The driver of the vehicle then fled into a bathroom inside the grocery store.

Upon contacting the suspect, Jessica Pitts, troopers returned her to her vehicle where she provided false information. She was found to have a Failure to Appear Bench warrant out for her arrest.

Pitts was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a disturbance involving a homeless man asking for money and making stabbing threats Monday afternoon.

At 3:52 p.m., a caller told dispatch that a transient was asking for money at the Shell Station at 397 Old Highway 99 in Wolf Creek. When confronted by the caller and asked to leave the property, the homeless man said he would stab him.

The caller told dispatch the transient was going in and out of the service station repeatedly, continued to harass customers for money, and was extremely intoxicated.

Deputies arrived and contacted the homeless man, identifying him as Troy Enloe. He was found to be wanted on a Jackson County Sheriff's Office warrant for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, and a Medford Police Department warrant for Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Enloe was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the out-of-county warrants.

 

The Eagle Point Police Department received reports Monday of scammers calling residents and claiming to be with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

The callers would say there were "bench warrants" issued and that the person should not hang up the phone, or risk being arrested. The caller would then start asking questions about license plates, addresses, and eventually insist a payment was made to the "finance department".

The caller ID would show the call as coming from the Sheriff's Office, but the number was actually a "spoofed" number.

EPPD wants to let the public know officers do not call to report warrants, and they do not ask for money over the phone. If scammers tell you to wire money or send cash cards, hang up and do not share any personal information, bank account numbers, or credit card information.

 

The Grants Pass City Council heard Housing Loan Fund and Property Update presentations during Monday's workshop.

The Moderate Income Revolving Loan (MIRL) Program, a fund provided by OHCS, was presented as a loan fund for cities and counties to boost housing production for moderate income Oregonians at or below 120% AMI.

The council was told MIRL is designed to serve as a gap resource for eligible projects. The no-interest loan would be issued, a developer would then build or improve a housing property, the county tax assessor would collect the program fee, send the net program fee to OHCS, and the repaid loan funds would be recycled.

The board was called to either adopt a local resolution, wait for a request for MIRL funding from a private applicant, or hold another workshop for further elaboration. The board approved a motion for a memo to cover further questions.

The Hillcrest Drive and Beacon Hill Surplus Property Partition Update was presented to the council. Further work would have a cost implication of $9,800, with about $3,000 incurred to date. An additional $3 to $4,000 in fees was presented.

The council, following a motion by Councilman Rick Riker, moved to suspend the land survey, and proceed with public engagement on Beacon Hill amenities. The motion passed 5-3.

City Manager Aaron Cubic also presented the council with a Strategic and Work Plan third quarter update, highlighting many efforts put forth in the community supporting public safety, economic growth, fiscal stability, infrastructure, and housing and homelessness goals.

 

The Grants Pass City Council voted to move forward with Elk Island Trading Group's application after disqualifying Pathways to Stability at today's workshop. During a presentation of the current state of the Addressing Homelessness Grant Program, the council was given options on how to move forward. The first choice was to disqualify Pathways for not meeting contracting prerequisites and move forward with contract negotiations with Elk Island. The second was to invite all applicants to submit a final proposal for re-review and scoring. Other options provided, but not for immediate in-depth discussion, were to cancel the grant and consider alternative solutions, to create a new RFP, for the city to acquire property for a service provider, or to maintain the current resting sites. Councilman Erich Schloegl made a motion to obtain final offers from each of the applicants and re-score them. Following a discussion, the motion failed 5-3. Councilman Joel King then made a motion to disqualify Pathways and move forward with Elk Island Trading Group. Further discussion followed, with the motion passing 5-3.

 

Grants Pass Police officers were alerted to a shoplifting complaint at the local WinCo Sunday afternoon.

At 2:52 p.m., loss prevention had two women in custody at the 231 NE Terry Lane store. They were being cooperative, but wouldn't give their names. The value of items shoplifted was unknown.

Upon arrival, officers identified the suspects as Kierra Keene, and Dylan Pierce. They were both cited for Third Degree Theft, and trespassed from the property.