Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for vandalizing a woman's vehicle and then fighting with officers who responded to arrest him this week. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 49-year-old Daniel Reese Wise, Jr., by deploying a Taser near the corner of 6th and G streets early Wednesday. Police said Wise had kicked the front of a woman's vehicle in the 1300-block of NW 6th Street, intentionally causing more than $100 in damage. The woman said the suspect was carrying a big stick on the handle of his bicycle, and was punching her window and kicking her car. She was afraid to get out of her vehicle due to concerns that he might come back. Officers contacted Wise a short time later and informed him he was under arrest. He refused to comply with lawful commands and physically resisted being placed into custody before the Taser was deployed and he was subdued. Daniel Wise was initially taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation. He was medically cleared and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Resisting Arrest. He was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two men on outstanding warrants during separate traffic stops on the same night this week. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Wednesday at 9:19 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Toyota Avalon driven by 37-year-old Edward Thomas Burke, III, of Cave Junction near the intersection of Redwood and Cave highways. Troopers said they stopped Burke for a traffic violation and discovered that he was wanted on an out-of-county bench warrant for failing to appear in court. After the warrant was confirmed, he was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the adult jail facility. His minivan was parked and secured. The second incident happened on Wednesday at 10:29 p.m. when troopers stopped to assist a disabled motorist near milepost 77 of Interstate 5 in Wolf Creek. Troopers contacted 42-year-old Nicholas Paul Johnson of Redding, California, and learned that he was wanted on a Malheur County bench warrant for failing to appear in court. He was cited and released so he could tend to his disabled vehicle.

 

The Oregon State Police cited one man and referred charges on another after they were caught illegally cutting firewood just off Interstate 5 near Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers responded to a call for service regarding suspicious activity near milepost 53 of I-5 late Wednesday. Troopers said they responded and contacted 62-year-old Darren Louis Dailey and 59-year-old Eric Jay Dailey who were associated with a Chevrolet GMT pickup that was parked along the freeway. An investigation uncovered evidence that the men were cutting and transporting firewood on property owned by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Darren Dailey was cited to appear in court for Cutting and Transporting Special Forest Products. The same charge against Eric Dailey was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration.

 

City of Grants Pass staff members have completed the final module in phase one of the Equity Impact Investment Program. Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic said the program focuses on collaboration between community-based and economic development organizations to support cross-sector strategies for innovative industries and promotes inclusive economic growth. Staff -- along with Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc., (SOREDI) and Rogue Workforce Partnership -- recently toured NiceBadge and learned about the growth and innovation of this local long-standing manufacturing company over several decades. The third-generation family-owned company -- formerly known as Recognition Specialties -- continues to be a national competitor and quality producer of name badges and other custom name tag products.

 

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is closing the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program to most new applicants to avoid overcommitting funds. The application portal will close at noon on December 20th, but homeowners who are in active foreclosure may still be able to apply through a housing counselor. Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs, said they're encouraging homeowners who are at imminent risk of housing displacement or anyone who meets one of the additional eligibility criteria listed on the HAF website to apply for assistance before noon December 20th. Vanden Brink said although they are accepting new applications, there may not be enough funds for everyone who applies as the program winds down. He said existing applicants can continue to log on to the HAF portal to check the status of their application or scheduled payments. OHCS planned its HAF program to operate as a safety net for the most at-risk homeowners who have no viable workout option, so those homeowners will receive priority processing. If funds still remain after the portal closes and applications are processed, HAF intake partners will be able to submit new applications on behalf of homeowners in a judicial foreclosure action or in non-judicial foreclosure with a scheduled sale date.

 

Applications are being accepted for one position on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee (CEDC) due to a vacancy. This term is due to expire on June 30, 2025. The CEDC is an advisory committee to the City of Grants Pass and Josephine County which is responsible for the implementation of the Joint Economic Development Strategic Plan adopted by the Grants Pass City Council and Josephine County Board of Commissioners. The Economic Development Strategic Plan can be found on the city's website at "grantspassoregon.gov." All members of the CEDC must be at least 18 years of age and reside within the boundaries of Josephine County. The special qualification and experience for this position is business retail. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12th.

 

The Christmas tree in downtown Grants Pass is decorated and ready for the tree-lighting ceremony in the Holiday Plaza this evening. The theme for this year's event is "Holiday Cosplay Downtown" and people are encouraged to attend wearing holiday-themed cosplay. The City of Grants Pass has announced that SW G Street will close at 3 p.m. and horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from 4 to 5:30 p.m.. From 5 to 9 p.m., there will be a "Letters to Santa Workshop" at the Downtown Welcome Center on the corner of 6th and G streets. The choir from Hidden Valley High School will be strolling along G Street from 5:15 to 6 p.m., the HVHS Jazz Band will perform from 6 to 6:30, and the Rogue Singers will perform from 6:30 until 7 when Santa arrives to turn on the lights. After the tree-lighting ceremony, Santa will be escorted to the Welcome Center for visits until 9 p.m..

 

A motorist was forced to spend Tuesday night in their vehicle after crashing off Galice Road near Almeda County Park. Rural Metro Fire Department reports a civilian passerby made the discovery in the 14,000-block of Galice Road on Wednesday around 9:30 a.m.. Rural Metro officials said the driver was attempting to turn around at the barricade when they backed their vehicle off the roadway and it rolled down an embankment and into a tree above the Rogue River. Due to a lack of cell service in that area, the driver was unable to call 9-1-1 for assistance. Uninjured but also unable to exit the vehicle, the driver remained inside until they were discovered. A Josephine County BLM deputy was the first to arrive on scene, confirming the need for emergency assistance due to the steep slope and precarious position of the vehicle. Bulldog Towing responded and secured the vehicle from falling further downhill and possibly into the river. Rescue crews then were able to successfully extricate the driver out of the vehicle and up to the road. The driver was transported by American Medical Response to Three Rivers Medical Center for evaluation of overnight exposure to the cold and wet weather.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for vandalizing a woman's vehicle and then fighting with officers who responded to arrest him early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 49-year-old Daniel Reese Wise, Jr., by deploying a Taser near the corner of 6th and G streets at 7:05 a.m. Wednesday. Police said Wise had kicked the front of a woman's vehicle in the 1300-block of NW 6th Street, intentionally causing more than $100 in damage. The woman said the suspect was carrying a big stick on the handle of his bicycle, and was punching her window and kicking her car. She was afraid to get out of her vehicle due to concerns that he might come back. Officers contacted Wise a short time later and informed him he was under arrest. He refused to comply with lawful commands and physically resisted being placed into custody before the Taser was deployed and he was subdued. Daniel Wise was initially taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation. He was medically cleared and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Resisting Arrest. He was being held without bail.