Local News

The US Forest Service has announced that nearly $50 million in grant funding is being made available for proposals that will benefit forests, communities and local economies in the Pacific Northwest region and across the nation. This funding is part of President Biden's "Investing in America" agenda and it's made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In alignment with these initiatives, the investments are intended to foster rural economies by promoting sustainable forest management practices, mitigating wildfire risks, addressing climate change and driving economic development. The Forest Service is accepting proposals under three key grant programs: the Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant, which are designed to support the forest products economy. The agency is actively seeking proposals that champion innovative uses of wood as a renewable energy source, and in diverse manufacturing and processing applications. Eligible entities in the private, non-profit and government sectors, businesses and for-profit entities, institutions of higher education as well as public utility, fire, conservation and school districts and others are encouraged to submit their proposals by the deadlines in December. For more information regarding grant funding program opportunities, please visit "fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-innovation."

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced new projects start today to repair and strengthen bridges on Interstate 5 and Rogue River Highway near the City of Rogue River. ODOT officials said one project will repair the northbound I-5 bridge over Rogue River Highway near milepost 45, which was recently damaged by an over-height load. Starting today, motorist should watch for intermittent lane closures on the highway under the freeway bridge. Delays should be less than 20 minutes. Repair work may require intermittent closures of the northbound onramp at Exit 45A. All work is scheduled to be completed by mid-December. Officials said another project will replace three 1920s-era bridges on Rogue River Highway with structures that are better able to withstand earthquakes. The bridges are located east of the City of Rogue River at Birdseye Creek, Foots Creek and Millers Gulch. Most bridge construction will take place in 2024 -- but before the end of this year, contractors plan to close Highway 99 at each bridge location to prepare the work zones. The closures are scheduled for this week at Millers Gulch, December 4th-7th at Foots Creek, and December 11th-14th at Birdseye Creek.

 

The air will remain stagnant in the valleys of Southern Oregon and Northern California for much of this week. The National Weather Service has posted an Air Stagnation Advisory for the region that runs until at least 10 a.m. Thursday. Poor mixing and weak winds mean that stagnant air is expected, which may lead to deteriorating air quality. The air stagnation is likely to result in diminishing air quality especially in and near areas with significant sources of pollution. Poor air quality is likely to cause health issues for people with respiratory problems if precautions are not taken. People with respiratory illness should follow their physician's advice for dealing with diminished air quality. State air quality agencies highly recommend that no outdoor burning occur and that residential wood burning devices be limited as much as possible. Prolonged periods of stagnant air can hold pollutants close to the ground where people live and breathe. Check with your local burn agency for any current restrictions.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for multiple crimes after he allegedly attacked his sister and a pet in Cave Junction on Thanksgiving Day. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested 46-year-old Joseph Stephen Christopher for the incident in the 100-block of North Caves Avenue on Thursday morning. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her brother grabbed her and squeezed her neck so she had trouble breathing. The caller said her brother becomes violent when he gets "stressed out." She did not want to press charges and requested he be taken to the hospital for mental health evaluation instead. According to the report, Christopher also threatened his sister and an elderly male roommate who removed knives from the kitchen, hid them and tried to de-escalate the situation. Information was also disclosed that the suspect might become violent with responding deputies who were able to take him into custody without incident. Joseph Christopher was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Strangulation, Domestic 4th-Degree Assault, Menacing and 2nd-Degree Animal Abuse. He was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police jailed a man for a total of eight criminal and warrant violations following a traffic stop in Josephine County early yesterday. Josephine County Jail records show OSP booked 35-year-old Danylo Moskalyuk into jail on Friday at 12:15 a.m.. The location of the traffic stop was unknown because OSP is not publishing a daily incident log until Monday due to the holiday weekend. Moskalyuk was lodged on charges including Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Resisting Arrest, Supplying Contraband, Furnishing False Information to Police, Driving While Suspended, Parole Violation and an out-of-county warrant. Danylo Moskalyuk was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a man on Thanksgiving for stealing a vehicle. The Grants Pass office of OSP is not publishing its daily logs due to the holiday, but Josephine County Jail records show troopers booked 28-year-old Cameron ML Sullivan on Thursday at 5:45 p.m.. There was no information available on the circumstances of the arrest including a location. Cameron Sullivan was lodged in jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Attempt to Commit a Crime -- all felony-level charges. He was being held without bail. More information will become available on Monday when OSP releases its logs from the long holiday weekend.

 

While most people were celebrating Thanksgiving with their family and friends, emergency first responders remained on call throughout the day. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue personnel had a busy day Thursday while responding to at least 12 calls. It all started at 1:37 a.m. when firefighters responded to assist with a violent crime that occurred in the 800-block of NE 8th Street followed by an unknown medical problem in the 1500-block of SW Yucca Drive at 2:15 a.m.. Grants Pass and Rural Metro firefighters responded to a recreational vehicle fire in the 300-block of Cheney Creek Road near Wilderville at 8:31 a.m. followed by a stroke call on NE Evans Street at 9:05, a fire alarm on NW Lawnridge Avenue at 10:44 and a commercial fire alarm on NW Anique Lane at 1:53 p.m.. An overdose call came in from Baker Park at 2:03 p.m. and firefighters responded to a disturbance at NE 7th and B streets at 2:54, a fall on Idle Court at 2:58 and a breathing problem on Beechwood Drive at 3:39. A 7:55 p.m. lift assist on Medart Lane was followed by another breathing problem call on Parkdale Drive at 9:14.

 

If you are in the giving spirit this holiday season, the Toys for Tots program is now underway. Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue are teaming up with the Rogue Valley Young Marines & Marine Corps Reserves and Josephine County Toys for Tots again this year to bring a special Christmas to kids in need. You can drop off new unwrapped gifts at several locations including Rural Metro Station 1 on Williams Highway, Rural Metro Station 2 on Monument Drive, Rural Metro Station 4 on Redwood Highway, Rural Metro Station 5 on Azalea Drive, Rural Metro's Administration Office on NE 6th Street, AMR's Administration Office on NW F Street and the Parkway Fire Station on East Park Street. Additional drop-off events this year will be in front of the Grants Pass Bi-Mart today and on Saturday, December 2nd, as well as at the Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony in Grants Pass. If you want to register your child to receive a gift from Toys for Tots, please visit: "josephine-county-or.toysfortots.org."

 

With the end of the COVID-19 federal public health emergency, the state is required to review eligibility for all 1.5 million Oregonians who have Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and other Medicaid benefits. These medical renewals combined with unprecedented levels of people applying for and receiving medical, food, cash and child care benefits have led to a historically high number of callers to the ONE Customer Service Center and is impacting call wait times. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is encouraging people in Oregon to use new alternate contact options given the high call wait times at the ONE Customer Service Center. The center provides phone support to people in Oregon calling to apply for or get help with their benefits. ODHS anticipates that wait times will remain high during open enrollment season for Medicare and the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. While people can apply for OHP any time of year, both open enrollment events increase awareness of an interest in applying for OHP. The ONE Customer Service Center can be reached by phone at 1-(800)-699-9075, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Call wait times are the lowest in the morning between 7 and 8, especially on Tuesday mornings. People are also welcome to visit their local ODHS office with questions.