Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant late last week after he allegedly roughed up his ex-wife at a residence near the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 700-block of NW D Street early Friday morning. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she and her ex-husband became involved in a physical altercation in which he threw her to the ground. She also stated that her ex was wanted on a warrant and he was under the influence. Officers arrived on scene and found the two yelling at each other outside the home. The man -- identified as 47-year-old Jonathan Glenn Wilder -- advised his ex-wife started the physical fight and that he pushed her away after being struck in the face. There was no evidence of physical injury to either subject so no charges were filed. A routine records check showed Wilder was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for Probation Violation related to a previous arrest for Methamphetamine Possession. He was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

 

Back-to-back motor vehicle accidents in Cave Junction kept the Illinois Valley Fire District and other first responders busy at the start of the weekend. On Friday at 8:21 p.m., IVFD, American Medical Response and the Oregon State Police were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision on Redwood Highway at Elwood Lane. IVFD officials said one patient was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with minor injuries. OSP was investigating the cause of the crash and Jerry's Towing removed the involved vehicles. On Friday at 9:27 p.m., state troopers discovered another two-vehicle crash while responding to the first accident. This one occurred in the 100-block of West Hanby Lane. IVFD and AMR crews responded to assist. Officials said all occupants were examined and released at the scene. OSP was conducting an investigation and Jerry's Towing removed the vehicles

 

Widespread flooding and power line problems occurred in the Illinois Valley on Sunday. The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a downed power line caused by a fallen tree in the 1300-block of Lone Mountain Road in O'Brien at 3:34 p.m. yesterday. Pacific Power crews secured the line and restored service to affected customers. IVFD responded to another downed power line in the 3400-block of West Side Road at 4:21 p.m.. Officials said the incident also involved a tree that was knocked down by high winds. Pacific Power crews secured the line and restored power to the affected area.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged an active week of community protection. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 589 calls for service along with 381 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 36 arrests, 45 citations, 60 warnings and seven highly intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 100 traffic stops in the city and they made 26 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 115 potential troublemakers while arresting four people, citing four more and warning eight others. The CRT unit also trespassed eight individuals and posted 90 transient camps. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 61 calls last week including 19 for emergency medical service, three for reports of fire or smoke, 11 lift assists, four rescue situations, two assists to other agencies and three false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 958 emergency calls last week.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will tackle a variety of important issues during its bi-weekly workshop session today. The City Council will open the workshop with a Budget Policy Update followed by a Lands and Buildings discussion. Next up are staff presentations on the Humanitarian Services Permitting Process and City Urban Campground Sites. The session will conclude with a presentation on a Building/Planning Task Force and a review of the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. Today's workshop starts at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

Heavy rainfall and rising water levels caused widespread flooding in Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties on Sunday. In the Grants Pass area, Rural Metro crews were initially dispatched to Upper River Road at Hunt Lane for a disabled vehicle stranded in high water. While crews escorted the occupants to dry ground, the adjacent levy failed on the swollen irrigation ditch next to Fort Vannoy Elementary School. As water levels quickly rose and entered the unoccupied school, firefighters scrambled to place sandbags at entry points of the buildings. Additional 9-1-1 calls started coming in reporting people stranded in vehicles and homes in the Merlin area. Welfare checks were conducted on Abegg Road, Ward Road and Barker Drive. Some occupants were escorted to safety while others sheltered in place. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reported weather-related closures in the 5200-block of Upper River Road, Ward Road and Pleasant Valley Road. There were landslides and washouts on Galice Road in the Rand Recreation Area and near Chair Riffle, Winona Road, Lower Grave Creek Road and Livingston Road. There were culvert problems on Hoffman Way, Sunny Valley Loop, Placer Road, Lower Grave Creek Road and Hamilton Lane. High water reports were widespread including Williams Highway at New Hope Road. Due to concerns about unsafe road conditions this morning, all Grants Pass District 7 and Three Rivers District schools are operating on a two-hour delayed schedule.

 

The state's 2024-2025 influenza season is the worst since the Oregon Health Authority began tracking the virus nearly 15 years ago. OHA officials report people are continuing to be hospitalized at a time of year when statewide influenza activity traditionally begins winding down. That means it's still not too late for people to get the influenza vaccine, particularly as Oregon could see a late-season uptick in flu incidence of the virus as it has in recent years. Influenza is a contagious, respiratory tract infection cause by influenza viruses. Symptoms of influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness including hospitalization and even death. OHA data shows that fewer people are getting flu shots. Vaccinations are down 4% from last year and they have been steadily dropping since 2022. Certain groups -- including older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions -- are at higher risk for serious complications from influenza. The hospitalization rate is highest for people 65 and older.

 

Britt Music & Arts Festival has announced the second slate of 10 shows for the 2025 summer season. While there are still more announcements to come, this batch of diverse artists are an exciting addition to Britt's existing lineup of entertainers. Britt is honored to host legendary country artist Wynonna Judd, pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield, world-renowned blues and rock duo Taj Mahal & Steve Earle, and other notable Britt first-timers like Dirtwire with special guests Free Creatures and a much anticipated performance from Tash Sultana. Other artists included in the second Britt announcement include Watchhouse, Gin Blossoms with special guests Spin Doctors, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. With this announcement, there will be a member pre-sale before tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 28th. Tickets for Britt shows from the first announcement are already on sale. All tickets are available at "brittfest.org."

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is investigating an assault that led to a stabbing in rural Eagle Point early yesterday. It was an apparent case of self-defense. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies, Jackson County Fire District #3 and Mercy Flights were dispatched to a reported stabbing in the 2100-block of Rogue River Drive on Thursday at 8:31 a.m.. Deputies secured the scene and an ambulance transported the wounded suspect to a local hospital. During the investigation, detectives learned a commercial electrician was in the area working when a man approached and assaulted him. The electrician used his pocket knife to stop the unprovoked attack, wounding the suspect in the process. The suspect underwent surgery for superficial wounds and was in stable condition. Charges for the suspect are pending review by the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. The suspect's name will be released pending charges. Detectives are continuing their investigation.