Local News

The Grants Pass Police Department has concluded its initial investigative activities related to the Tuesday night shooting on Rogue River Highway and officials said there is no known direct threat to the public. The Police Department confirmed that a man and woman were shot in the incident in the 1400-block of Highway 99, with the man suffering a head wound. Details on their identities and medical conditions were not disclosed. Witnesses said three males wearing masks were seen fleeing the area. One of them was said to be wearing a clown mask. All three men were armed with pistols and one of them was possibly carrying a military-style semi-automatic rifle. Grants Pass Police would like to thank the public for following the shelter-in-place request while officers used K-9s and drones to search the area for the suspects. The agency said Wednesday it had nothing new to report about the manhunt. The Grants Pass Police Department and its partner law enforcement agencies vow to continue their investigation into the shootings. Officials said they will release more information to the public when it does not hamper the open investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call (541)-450-6260.

 

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was investigating a homicide that occurred this week in Shady Cove. On Tuesday shortly after 2 a.m., emergency dispatchers received a call regarding a homeowner who had shot a suspect during a home invasion burglary in the area of Cleveland Street. Deputies responded and Mercy Flights medics attempted life-saving measures, but the suspect was pronounced deceased at 2:34 a.m.. Detectives were investigating claims of self-defense during the burglary incident. An occupant of the home held a valid protection order against the suspect. There have been no arrests so far and all parties were cooperating with the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, detectives will forward the case to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office for review. Due to the sensitive nature of this ongoing investigation, names of the involved parties will not be released at this time. Further information will be released later in coordination with the DA's Office.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for entering an unlocked vehicle and removing a CD case in the north part of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at the Lucky Duck on NW 6th Street on Wednesday around 1:45 a.m.. Police said an employee of the Lucky Duck reported a white male wearing a black sweatshirt and blue jeans entered her unlocked Toyota Camry and stole a CD case valued at about $25. The caller advised the suspect fled north on 6th Street. Officers searched the area and located 37-year-old Matthew Gary Beard at the nearby McDonalds restaurant. He was placed into custody after probable cause was established that he committed the crime. Matthew Beard was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and 3rd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail and he was also trespassed from the Lucky Duck.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry found itself in the unusual position this week of battling a wildfire in the Sunny Valley area just two days before Thanksgiving. Rural Metro Fire Department reports that ODF crews were working late Tuesday to knock down a fire about four to five miles up Placer Creek Road. The fire was reported to be around 15 acres in size and it was not threatening any structures. ODF Southwest reached full containment by Tuesday night. Smoke from the fire may have been visible to residents in the Sunny Valley-Wolf Creek area. The cause of the fire was under investigation. The 2023 fire season has long been over, but officials remind people who live in southwest Oregon that they need to be concerned about fire all year long. Some fuel types that are shaded or protected from soaking rains may still remain drier than expected for this time of year. It takes a lot of moisture to penetrate larger fuels like logs that can carry flames to other fuels. Fog often sinks low in the valleys during high pressure systems that also produce sunshine in the higher elevations. While we are damp and cold from the fog, the mountains are exposed to sun and warmer weather which dries out fuels. It also reminds us to monitor our open burns and safeguard against them escaping.

 

The City of Ashland's 31st annual Festival of Lights Celebration takes place on Friday. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. in front of the Ashland Public Library and it will move west along East Main Street toward the Plaza. The Ashland Police Department said East Main Street between Gresham and Water streets will be closed from 3 to 7 p.m. tomorrow, and Lithia Way will be set up for two-way traffic needs within the downtown corridor during that time. APD hopes everyone will have a safe and enjoyable kickoff to the holiday season.

 

Four members of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office have been recognized for their courage during a violent incident at an Interstate 5 rest area that occurred last year. Every year, the Oregon Peace Officers Association presents awards to law enforcement personnel and citizens who have performed exemplary deeds or services on behalf of their communities.Josephine County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Watson received the Life Saving with Valor Award while Medal of Valor Awards were received by Deputy Gerald Bayard, Sergeant Craig Ricker and Undersheriff Travis Snyder for their professional and courageous actions. Deputy Tanner Sherrow was honored for his valor by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners earlier this year. Members of the Oregon State Police received valor awards as well. On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Josephine County sheriff's deputies and state troopers responded to a call at the northbound Manzanita Rest Area. The situation was violent and turbulent, with citizens' lives being threatened along with the lives of responding law enforcement officers by a man armed with a pistol and semiautomatic rifle. The male suspect had already shot a female twice before law enforcement arrived. The situation ended with an exchange of gunfire and the suspect succumbed to his injuries. The female victim received medical care by law enforcement and survived.

 

Helping your neighbors and their families stay warm just got easier. Pacific Power will match every dollar you donate to the Oregon Energy Fund with $2 more. Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail will find they include an Oregon Energy Fund contribution envelope in November. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program. This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power. To enroll in the fixed donation program, customers can call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-(888)-221-7070 or visit "pacificpower.net." Donations may be tax-deductible and are forwarded directly to the Oregon Energy Fund, which verifies eligibility and allocates funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in need within the same county in which the donor resides. This year, Pacific Power will match up to $144,000 in donations.

 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to head outside on the day after Thanksgiving. Popularly known as "Green Friday," the day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for many families. State parks will once again waive day-use parking fees in the 24 parks that are open tomorrow and normally charge for parking. Parking is free year-round at almost all state parks. The waiver applies to the parks that charge $5 daily for parking. Fee parks include popular destinations such as Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Silver Falls, Champoeg, LL Stub Stewart, Smith Rock and Milo McIver. A complete list of parks that require day-use parking permits is available online at "stateparks.oregon.gov." The fee waiver applies from open to close on Friday except at Shore Acres State Park, where it expires at 4 p.m. for the Holiday Lights event that runs through New Year's Eve.

 

UPDATE: ERIC ROSSITER HAS BEEN FOUND. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating a man whose family has reported him missing. According to the Sheriff's Office, 45-year-old Eric Rossiter is a transient from the Cave Junction area -- although he has a history in Grants Pass. It is currently unknown if Rossiter is still in the area or who he may associated with. His family has not spoken with him in over one year. Rossiter is described as a white male adult, 5-feet-9-inches tall and 285 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Eric Rossiter is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123. Please reference Case #23-29092.