Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving this week after he was spotted using inhalants in the drive-thru of a local fast food restaurant. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a traffic complaint at the McDonalds in the Allen Creek Shopping Center on Thursday night. Police said 23-year-old Joshua Ryan Delacruz was observed doing "whip-its" while in the drive-thru at McDonalds and an employee called 9-1-1. Josephine County sheriff's deputies stopped the suspect, he admitted to the use of inhalants, displayed indicators of impairment and a search of his vehicle located used cans of nitrous oxide. After custody of Delacruz was transferred to Grants Pass police officers, he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw and placed in custody. Joshua Delacruz was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Inhalants. He was cited to appear in court and released, but his vehicle was impounded.

 

A vehicle was left abandoned near Wilderville after a rollover wreck that happened early yesterday. Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle crash on Fish Hatchery Road near Cheney Creek Road on Friday at 3:13 a.m.. Engine 7504 from Rural Metro's Wilderville Station searched the area with thermal imaging equipment, but did not find anyone injured or uninjured at the scene. Crews remained on scene to prevent another crash until the vehicle was removed by A-1 Towing. At least one mailbox was damaged. Rural Metro officials said law enforcement was unavailable to respond, so a crash investigation was not conducted.

 

A 40-foot-tall Christmas tree will be installed in downtown Grants Pass early next week. The City of Grants Pass has announced that 5th Street between G Street and the alley will be closed from Monday at 8 a.m. through January 3rd at 10 a.m. as it will be the location of the Holiday Plaza. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place next Friday, December 8th, at 6 p.m.. In the interest of public safety, G Street between 4th and 6th streets along with 5th Street from the alley to H Street will be closed that day from 3 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m.. Detours will be in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes during the event.

 

The Josephine County Clerk's Office has certified the results of the November 7th special election and the law enforcement service district came up a narrow winner. County Clerk Rhiannon Henkels certified the election on Wednesday and the results show that the Josephine County Law Enforcement District passed by a 51% to 49% tally. The difference after all the ballots were counted was 299 votes. The majority of Josephine County property owners who participated in the election voted for Measure 17-115, which will cost them 99 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. Grants Pass voters overwhelmingly passed the renewal of the $1.79 public safety levy. The count was 78.2% to 21.8% -- a difference of 5,756 votes. Henkels said the final official turnout for the election was just over 34%. A total of 23,488 voters participated in the election out of 68,936 registered voters.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon Department of Human Services are participating this holiday season in "Foster the Love," a local program to provide Christmas presents for children in foster care. This year, there are five locations to pick up a gift tag and leave and unwrapped gift. They include the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 5179 Crater Lake Highway in Central Point, Heritage Christian Fellowship in Medford, Rainy's Corner in Sams Valley, Butte Creek Baptist Church in Eagle Point and Country Roots Salon in Eagle Point. New this year is a family-friendly event at the Sheriff's Office. On Monday, from 4-6 p.m.,Santa Claus will be at the Sheriff's Office to meet with kids and take pictures. Here's how it works: grab a tag at one of the five locations, purchase a gift for that child, and return the gift to the tree in a gift bag (unwrapped) anytime the business is open or plan to bring it to the December 4th party at the Sheriff's Office. The deadline for dropping off gifts is Monday, December 11th, at noon. Thank you for helping to put a smile on the face of a local foster child!

 

The City of Grants Pass has announced some downtown street closures for tonight's Christmas Parade. From 5 to 8 p.m. this evening, several streets will be closed to accommodate the annual Christmas Parade, which starts at 6 p.m.. Detours will be in place for closures on 6th Street from A to M streets. Side streets from B to M streets will be closed to through traffic between 5th and 8th streets. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Both sides of 6th Street will be open for viewing the parade which ends at L Street. Chairs and blankets are permitted for parade watchers along the route. Parade announcers will be on the roof of Casablanca Restaurant at the corner of 6th and D streets, and goodies will be given out at that location. For safety reasons, the throwing of candy and other items during the parade is prohibited due to insurance limitations. Candy, flyers and business cards may be handed out by parade walkers.

 

The City of Grants Pass has announced some downtown street closures for Saturday night's Christmas Parade. From 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, several streets will be closed to accommodate the annual Christmas Parade, which starts at 6 p.m.. Detours will be in place for closures on 6th Street from A to M streets. Side streets from B to M streets will be closed to through traffic between 5th and 8th streets. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through. Both sides of 6th Street will be open for viewing the parade which ends at L Street. Chairs and blankets are permitted for parade watchers along the route. Parade announcers will be on the roof of Casablanca Restaurant at the corner of 6th and D streets, and goodies will be given out at that location. For safety reasons, the throwing of candy and other items during the parade is prohibited due to insurance limitations. Candy, flyers and business cards may be handed out by parade walkers.

 

One person was injured in a motor vehicle accident on Redwood Highway near Wonder early yesterday. On Thursday at 7:52 a.m., the Oregon State Police, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the single-vehicle rollover crash on US Highway 199 at Hayes Hill. OSP said 36-year-old Cain Perez-Elias of Medford was driving a Volkwagen Jetta when he lost control while navigating a curve and rolled, with the car coming to rest on its side. All three occupants had self-extricated prior to the arrival of first responders. According to OSP, one passenger was transported to a local hospital with a head injury while the driver and the other passenger denied medical attention. The passengers were a 32-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, both from Medford. Troopers said the damaged car was hauled into Grants Pass by Caveman Towing.

 

No one was hurt in a second motor vehicle accident that occurred yesterday on Redwood Highway near Wilderville. On Thursday at 1:37 p.m., the Oregon State Police, Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on US Highway 199 at Riverbanks Road. OSP said a Toyota 4-Runner driven by 31-year-old Bryenna McCallan was trying to turn onto the highway northbound when it struck a southbound Dodge Caravan driven by 60-year-old David Levison head-on. Rural Metro officials said arriving units found all occupants of the vehicles had self-extricated and all denied injury. A utility company was providing traffic control. Traffic was temporarily disrupted until the road was cleared. The Toyota was towed into Grants Pass, but it was unclear if the Dodge had to be towed. It was also unclear whether any citations were issued.