Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for a felony violation early yesterday following a traffic stop on Redwood Highway near Selma. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Andre Blair Cotton, Jr., on US Highway 199 near Hidden Creek Road and placed him into custody at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Deputies said they stopped Cotton for a traffic violation and quickly discovered that his driving privileges had been suspended at the felony level. He was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Driving While Suspended. His vehicle was impounded. According to the report, Cotton had two children in the vehicle at the time of his arrest. His mother responded from Murphy to pick up the kids as well as their belongings. The Sheriff's Office notified the Child Protection Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services about the incident.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for blatantly stealing food and beverage from a local supermarket while consuming the items inside the store. The Police Department reports officers responded to the shoplifting incident at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Wednesday night. Police said 23-year-old Omar Alejandro Araujo-Cano was walking in the store aisles while eating stolen chicken wings and drinking a stolen energy drink. He then abandoned the packaging by stashing it amongst the merchandise in the health and beauty section. According to the report, WinCo loss prevention viewed the suspect's actions remotely before calling 9-1-1. He attempted to leave the store, but spotted loss prevention and went back inside where he was eventually detained. Araujo-Cano was lodged at the nearby adult jail facility for 3rd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police located a woman who had been reported missing in California at a city park this week and then promptly arrested her on a local warrant. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 28-year-old Jessica Ann Tope on Wednesday morning while she was sleeping at Riverside Park under Caveman Bridge. Police said Tope had been reported missing by the Sonoma County, California, Sheriff's Office, and they were notified that she had been located in Grants Pass. Tope was found to be wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. She was lodged in jail without bail on the warrant and warned for violation of park rules against camping.

 

Firefighters from multiple agencies knocked down a small vegetation fire near Cave Junction early yesterday. On Thursday at 10:09 a.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest responded to the blaze at the intersection of Robinson Road and BLM Road 39-7-35.2. Arriving units found a very small fire burning in moderate fuels and they quickly extinguished it. IVFD officials said a preliminary investigation suggests the fire originated from a smoldering campfire that was left unattended.

 

The City of Grants Pass will commence backflow testing on Monday for residential customers who participate in the City's backflow testing program. City contractor Precision Backflow employees will be wearing safety vests with "Precision Backflow" written on it and possess a City-issued photo ID badge. The Grants Pass Residential Backflow Testing Program -- established in 2004 -- provides for the automatic annual testing and repair of backflow assemblies. Each year from April 1st through November 15th, the residential backflow program contractor performs the annual tests. Repairs and maintenance are performed as needed. Single-family dwellings are charged an additional $2 per month on their water bill to pay for this service. This testing should run for several weeks. The contractor should produce their ID badge when asked by a customer. If they do not produce a badge, participants do not need to let them access their properties. Their work van should be close by. If customers receive a notice on their front door, the City requests they call Precision Backflow at (541)-916-5253. If customers have any questions or issues, please call the Grants Pass Distribution Department at (541)-450-6134.

 

Grants Pass Fire & Rescue wants everyone to enjoy their Independence Day celebration safely. According to fire officials, only Oregon-safe fireworks are allowed within the city limits of Grants Pass today from 6 to 11 p.m. only. Fireworks are not allowed in the area west of NW Highland Avenue and Dimmick Street, north of the railroad tracks, all areas north of Interstate 5, all city parks and all public schools. The use of all fireworks is prohibited within Grants Pass when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for Fire Zone 620. To safely enjoy fireworks, citizens are encouraged to attend the public display at Reinhart Volunteer Park. If you choose to set off fireworks at home, please follow these safety steps: Never give fireworks to small children and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, flammable materials or flammable vegetation. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. Keep a water supply close by. Be sure the person lighting the fireworks always wears eye protection. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight a "dud." Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets. Keep pets indoors as exposure to fireworks may result in severe burns or trauma. Fire officials encourage residents to have a safe and happy Independence Day!

 

As the weather continues to warm and fire danger increases, the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management has increased public use restrictions on the lands it manages in Southern Oregon. Effectively immediately, certain activities on BLM lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will be restricted to prevent human-caused fires and to reduce wildfire potential. Campfires are only allowed at the Hyatt Lake Campground and the lower section of the Rogue River below the high-water mark. In all other areas, visitors can use portable cooking stoves that use liquefied or bottled fuels. Otherwise, campfires or any other type of open fire -- including the use of charcoal briquettes -- is banned. Operating a motor vehicle and parking off-road -- including motorcycles and ATVs -- is only allowed on roadways clear of flammable vegetation. Smoking is only allowed while inside a vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of flammable vegetation. Using fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition is prohibited. Violation of these restrictions can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to one year.