Local News

Grants Pass Police were dispatched Monday to a welfare check at the Riverside Inn, where they later arrested a woman for a Parole Violation detainer.

Security at the 986 SW 6th Street business reported the suspect was laying on the ground screaming around 10:52 p.m. She was located in the walkway between the inn and Taprock, and it was unknown if she was injured or under the influence.

She was described as having dark hair, and wearing an orange track jacket, white shorts, and tennis shoes. Law enforcement arrived to conduct a welfare check, but found the suspect, Braylyn McElmurry, was too impaired to safely care for herself. She was arrested at the scene.

Officers contacted McElmurry's parole officer, and a detainer was requested. After being medically cleared, McElmurry was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.

 

Security with Asante Three Rivers Medical Center made a trespassing complaint to dispatch, and the suspect was lodged in jail by responding officers Monday.

A woman had been discharged from the 500 SW Ramsey Avenue hospital earlier that day, but had been on the property since. Dispatch was alerted to the situation at 9:53 p.m., and was told the disruptive suspect was in the imaging lobby next to the emergency room.

She was heard yelling in the background of the call, and was trespassed by staff. Officers identified the suspect, soon located on the highway east of Ringuette Street, as Hannah Olsen. Her parole officer was contacted, who advised a detainer would be issued.

Olsen was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for, according to jail logs, an out-of-county

 

A transient under the stairs of a local law firm was reported to police and later lodged for being out of compliance with his sex offender registration.

Monday around 6:09 p.m., the suspect was reportedly "doing something" under the stairs of the 303 NW E street building. The 911 caller requested law enforcement remove the man and trespass him.

Upon arrival, officers with the Grants Pass Police Department trespassed the suspect, Jason Williams. He was found to be out of compliance with his sex offender reporting since August 28th, 2023, so he was arrested and transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging.

 

An employee of Speedway Express reported a shoplifting incident Monday, leading to the suspect's arrest for a DUII warrant by Grants Pass Police officers.

The suspect was reported inside the 1094 NE E Street store stealing items at 3:01 p.m. He was described as having black hair, and wearing a gray shirt with a hood, and blue jeans. The employee wished to pursue for theft and trespassing charges, and it wasn't clear at the time of the call the value of the stolen items.

According to the police report, despite the suspect's refusal to identify himself, he eventually paid cash for the almost $10 worth of food he had eaten. He was warned by arriving officers for trespassing, then released.

However, after being identified as Matthew Morrison, he was found to be wanted out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was taken into custody in the parking lot, taken to jail, and lodged for his warrant.

 

Emergency services, including the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a reported rollover accident in the 400 block of S Junction Ave in Cave Junction.

The incident, occurring this morning at 7:29 a.m., involved a vehicle that struck a concrete bollard after oversteering a corner, resulting in a rollover. The sole occupant showed no visible injuries and was not transported to the hospital.

The individual made arrangements for the vehicle to be towed. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was on-site to assist.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man for drug and theft charges during a Monday morning area check of Tussing Park.

A man and a brown and white pit-bull were both located sleeping in a pile of wood chips around 8:53 a.m. in the 800 W Park Street location. Numerous syringes and other drug paraphernalia items were found around the man, and a second unit was requested, as was Animal Control.

Officers identified the suspect as Jewel Andrews II and conducted a consent search of his person. A plastic container with a crystal like substance was located, with the substance testing positive for meth. A glass pipe located at the scene also tested positive.

A shopping cart had been located in the park prior to contact with Andrews, which was found to be in his possession despite previous warnings. He was charged with Possession of Meth and Theft in the Second Degree, and also trespassed from the park for 30 days.

Officers transported Andrews to the Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged. The pit-bull was taken to the shelter, and the shopping cart was returned to the north Safeway.

 

The Pacific Power Foundation is proud to support 13 Southern Oregon organizations working to protect the environment and strengthen their communities. Funding will help provide hands-on outdoor education for students, expand volunteer initiatives and support career training programs that create opportunities for the community. Out of the 13 recipients, both the Central Point Little League and the Parks and Recreation Foundation received $2,000. The City of Shady Cove received $2,000, while $5,000 went to Habitat for Humanity Rogue Valley in Medford. Other recipients included The Illinois Valley Fire Resiliency Oversight Group, The Oregon Center for Creative Learning in Medford, and the Josephine County Foundation in Murphy, the latter of which received $8,000. These funds were awarded through the Pacific Power Foundation’s Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect grant cycle. Organizations interested in applying for the Foundation’s next grant cycle, Safety and Wellness, may apply by December 15th.

 

A $10,000 grant from Four Way Community Foundation is bringing new computers to Josephine Community Library’s Illinois Valley branch, replacing equipment that has been in service since 2018.

The grant funded new computers for staff and volunteers who rely on the equipment throughout the day to check materials in and out, place and fulfill holds, answer reference questions, help library users find books and other resources, and provide assistance with technology and online tools. The computers are also used to plan and deliver children’s programs, adult events, and other library services.

Four Way Community Foundation has supported technology and other needs at Josephine Community Library for many years, helping the library provide resources and services beyond what can be covered by its regular public funding.

For information about Josephine Community Library Foundation, visit jclfoundation.org. Head to fourwaycommunityfoundation.org to learn more about the work of Four Way Community Foundation in Josephine and Jackson Counties.

 

Travelers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes on Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass this week.

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, starting tomorrow (Tuesday Sept. 29th) and running through Thursday, crews will apply new striping to the pavement. Utility crews will repair powerlines over the highway on Wednesday.

Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. tomorrow, watch for rolling slowdowns in the northbound lanes between Exit 66 in Hugo and Exit 80 in Glendale. Wednesday between 8 a.m. and noon, rolling slowdowns will be in the northbound and southbound lanes in the same area.

Thursday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., the southbound lanes will be affected by rolling slowdowns, during which time traffic control vehicles hold traffic to a slow but steady pace. This gives crews a window of time to work safely while keeping traffic moving, avoiding lengthy road closures. Emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through, as needed.

Expect congestion. Watch for pilot cars and drive carefully through the work zone. Traffic may be held for up to 20 minutes at exit ramps. To avoid delays, use an alternate route or travel outside work hours. Check TripCheck.com for the latest information.