Local News

Grants Pass Police evacuated some businesses in the northwest part of the city this week after hazardous materials were discarded at a waste disposal yard. The Police Department reports officers and firefighters responded to the haz-mat incident at Republic Services in the 1900-block of NW Washington Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon. Police officers and firefighters from the Hillcrest Station arrived on scene, started evacuating nearby businesses and assessing the situation. Once it was determined to be an extremely flammable substance, the Medford Fire Department Hazmat Team was called in to assist with identification of the substance and next steps. The situation was resolved within two hours and all emergency units cleared the scene. Authorities advise residents to always seek appropriate disposal methods for any hazardous materials.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a homeless man early yesterday for turning a city-owned property into a giant trash heap. The Police Department reports officers responded to an ordinance violation at an illegal campsite near the corner of NE Agness Avenue and SE Gladiola Drive on Wednesday around 4:30 a.m.. Police said they contacted 45-year-old Daniel Beier at his encampment. They said the man had accumulated an immense amount of refuse including bicycle parts, discarded clothing and hazardous waste which he had thrown onto the ground, into the trees and into a nearby waterway. An extensive site cleanup will be required. Beier refused to speak to officers and he was placed into custody. He was taken to the nearby Josephine County Jail where he was booked for Offensive Littering and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief. More charges are pending further investigation. He was also trespassed from all city and railroad properties.

 

The Oregon State Police was investigating a hit-and-run crash that damaged a fence on Riverbanks Road last weekend. OSP reports troopers responded to the crash in the 3500-block of State Route 260 on Sunday morning. Troopers said the property owner stated a small pickup truck crashed through their fence and fled the scene. The reporting party -- a 51-year-old Grants Pass woman -- was unable to provide any further details about the suspect vehicle. Photographs were taken of the damaged fence and the reporting party was given a crash report. Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is encouraged to dial *OSP.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is gearing up for the 2024 Polar Plunge that benefits Special Olympics Oregon. "Team Belly Floppers" is once again plunging for a purpose in what has become one of their favorite events supporting one of their favorite organizations. Special Olympics Oregon enriches the lives of thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Josephine County and the state through the power of sports. Last year, the Sheriff's Office team raised $4,200 for Special Olympics. This year, they've upped their goal to $7,500. If you would like to donate to "Team Belly Floppers," here is the link: 'support.soor.org/team/534673." You can donate to the team as a whole or pick your favorite flopper.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved five annexations to the local library district during its weekly business session on Wednesday. Prior to a public hearing on the annexations, the Board voted to lift a 60-day moratorium on all annexations and withdrawals pertaining to the Josephine Community Library District. The library district has filed a lawsuit allowing the annexations to move forward, but preventing the Commissioners from approving any more withdrawal petitions. The state has rejected the lone approved petition. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger voted in favor of lifting the moratorium, but said he had some reservations because "we are not through with this process." He said Oregon statutes pertaining to special districts are antiquated and need to be revised. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board approved setting a date for a public hearing on fee changes for the Animal Shelter and Recreation Department for Wednesday, January 31st at 9 a.m.. The Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring Sunday, January 21st, to be "Sanctity of Human Life and Respect for Life Day." The proclamation was received by Steve Raycraft of Josephine County Right Life who said there would not be a March for Life in Grants Pass this Sunday. A march will be held in May.

 

Oregon drive-thru chain Dutch Bros plans to move some of its corporate functions from its headquarters in Grants Pass to an office near Phoenix, Arizona, closer to its fastest-growing markets in the southern and southwestern United States. The Oregonian reports Dutch Bros' headquarters will remain in Southern Oregon, but the company's new CEO Christine Barone will live in Arizona. That's where she worked before Dutch Bros hired her last year. Dutch Bros said it will shift 40% of its support staff to Phoenix, relocating some positions from Oregon and hiring in Arizona to fill other positions. The company said it hasn't determined just how many jobs will move to Arizona and cannot be more specific because it's in a regulatory quiet period before the release of its fourth-quarter financial results. Dutch Bros founder and chairman Travis Boersma said, "Grants Pass is always going to be home. Our roasting plant is here. We'll have offices here. A large portion of our people are going to stay here." He said he will continue living in Grants Pass and still considers Dutch Bros to be an Oregon company. Dutch Bros finished last year with 831 shops in 16 states. It's expanding rapidly in Texas and Oklahoma, with plans to push into Florida and it expects to have nearly 1,000 locations by the end of 2024.

 

After receiving approval from the state for a new Certified Nursing Assistant 2 program, Rogue Community College has opened registration for the first cohort that starts in February. The RCC program meets rigorous standards set by the Oregon State Board of Nursing and it enables students to advance from CNA1 to CNA2 certification. It will provide students with thorough training that aligns with industry standards and help them prepare for a successful and meaningful career in nursing. Throughout the program, students will delve into essential topics such as how to collaborate with the healthcare team, nutrition methods, safety risks and emergency care, legal and ethical issues, physical and mental disease processes, observation and reporting, documentation, infection control, and interpersonal skills. Students will gain practical experience during 88 hours of training that will have online and in-person components. Students will also have the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world scenarios during hands-on supervised clinical training at a local healthcare facility located in Josephine or Jackson counties. For more information, e-mail "nursingassistant@roguecc.edu."

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved five annexations to the local library district during its weekly business session this morning. Prior to a public hearing on the annexations, the Board voted to lift a 60-day moratorium on all annexations and withdrawals pertaining to the Josephine Community Library District. The library district has filed a lawsuit allowing the annexations to move forward, but preventing the Commissioners from approving any more withdrawal petitions. The state has rejected the lone approved petition. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger voted in favor of lifting the moratorium, but said he had some reservations because "we are not through with this process." He said Oregon statutes pertaining to special districts are antiquated and need to be revised. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board approved setting a date for a public hearing on fee changes for the Animal Shelter and Recreation Department for Wednesday, January 31st at 9 a.m.. The Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring Sunday, January 21st, to be "Sanctity of Human Life and Respect for Life Day." The proclamation was received by Steve Raycraft of Josephine County Right Life who said there would not be a March for Life in Grants Pass this Sunday. A march will be held in May.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for subjecting three people to offensive physical contact outside a local fast food restaurant early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 58-year-old Linda Jane Pattinson near Wendy's in the 1800-block of NE 6th Street on Tuesday shortly after 10 a.m.. Police said an employee at the fast food eatery called 9-1-1 to report at least three transients trying to pull a woman out of a Ford Taurus. A male subject took the woman's keys, and she responded by screaming at the man and his companions. Officers arrived on scene and an investigation determined that Pattinson punched Brian Pattinson and Christine Whitmire while striking Jordan Haas with an extension cord. None of the victims reported serious injuries. A travel lane on NE 6th Street was blocked because of the disturbance. Linda Pattinson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for three counts of Physical Harassment and one count of Disorderly Conduct. She was being held without bail.