Local News

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass man for impaired driving after a traffic stop on Williams Highway in Murphy late yesterday. OSP reports troopers pulled over a GMC Rally driven by 79-year-old Jack Lewis Nutting near the intersection of Highway 238 and Murphy Creek Road on Tuesday at 5:06 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Nutting for a traffic violation and he displayed signs of impairment. They said he consented to voluntary field sobriety tests, further signs of impairment were observed and he was placed into custody. Nutting was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was cited to appear in court and released. His vehicle was released to a family member.

 

A motorist was injured this week when they crashed their vehicle off Illinois River Road near Selma. On Monday evening, the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response, the US Forest Service and Grayback Forestry were dispatched to the single-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Illinois River Road and Forest Service Road 4105. IVFD officials said one individual was located approximately 50 feet from the roadway and was assisted back to the road. They said the patient was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Jerry's Towing was assigned to remove the vehicle and haul it to Cave Junction.

 

A roadside fire along Interstate 5 near Merlin Hill this week drew a large response of local firefighters. Late Monday afternoon, Rural Metro Fire Department, the Oregon Department of Forestry and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to the incident next to the southbound lanes of I-5. Firefighters -- along with a couple of good Samaritans -- quickly contained the fire to just under a half-acre. The fire did not jump Highland Avenue to the south. ODF was investigating the cause of the fire.

 

The Oregon State Police is leading a murder-suicide investigation after a family of five were found dead at a Merlin area home this week. On Monday at 9:37 a.m., the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to the 200-block of Hussey Lane in the Pickett Creek area after receiving a request to check the welfare of the residents. It was reported that an adult female at the home had uncharacteristically not shown up for work. Deputies and the Oregon State Police arrived at the address and entered the home after observing suspicious circumstances around the property. Upon entry, law enforcement discovered five people who appeared to have been killed by a firearm. The deceased victims were identified as 40-year-old Chad Scott Behee, 42-year-old Hannah Marie Behee, an 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl. All died from gunshot wounds and Chad Behee is believed to be the suspect in a murder-suicide incident. The Sheriff's Office has requested that OSP lead the investigation with assistance from the Grants Pass Police Department. OSP detectives said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact them at 1-(800)-442-0776 or *OSP. Please reference Case #SP25-366471.

 

An Eagle Point woman died last weekend after she was struck by a commercial vehicle while crossing Interstate 5 in Jackson County. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews were dispatched to the vehicle versus pedestrian crash on I-5 near milepost 35 early Sunday morning. Troopers said the preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Freightliner and trailer driven by a 37-year-old Riverside, California, man hit 50-year-old Scarlet Laresia Guenther who was standing in the travel lane. According to OSP, Guenther was declared deceased at the scene. The truck driver and his 38-year-old male passenger were not injured. OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. The freeway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for roughing up a woman at a south-city apartment complex last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Christian Anthony Bartell for the incident at the Harbeck Village Apartments on Sunday morning. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that Bartell hit her several times and she was bleeding. She requested medical attention and stated that the suspect left the scene on a bicycle. She was treated by medics for noticeable swelling and a cut. Officers tracked Bartell down in the 1,000-block of SE Park Plaza and placed him into custody. They contacted his corrections officer about the incident. Bartell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Assault and Physical Harassment plus the resulting Probation Violation related to an arrest for Felony Criminal Mischief. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his post-prison supervision after a drug-fueled incident at a residence on the east side of the city this week. The Police Department reports officers placed 26-year-old Zachary Randall Holmes into custody for the incident at the NE D Street home of his girlfriend on Monday morning. Police said Holmes arrived at his girlfriend's residence while under the influence of methamphetamine, forced his way into the home and began breaking items. They said he showed up wearing only a pair of boxer shorts and his girlfriend told them he was not allowed to be there. Responding officers arrested Holmes and confirmed that he was under a "meth psychosis." He was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of cuts on his hands from breaking his girlfriend's property. Holmes was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief, Meth Possession and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. He was also trespassed from the property. Jail records show it was the fourth time this year that Holmes had been arrested for violating his parole.

 

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is battling a wildfire that broke out in the High Cascades Ranger District yesterday. The US Forest Service reported last night that the Scenic Fire near Foster Creek Campground had reached an estimated size of 70 acres. Firefighters first responded to the fire on Tuesday afternoon when it was reported to be three acres in size and burning in heavy timber. Two hand crews backed by seven engines, a water tender, heavy equipment and four helicopters went into action. A fixed-wing aircraft helped coordinate air resources. At 5:30 p.m., six additional engines, two falling modules and a bulldozer were ordered. By 6:45 p.m., the fire had grown to an estimated 15 acres and the Oregon Department of Transportation was requested to help with traffic control on Highway 230. The Umpqua National Forest also provided additional resources. By 7:30 p.m., the Scenic Fire had grown to an estimated size of 50 acres. Total resources deployed to the incident included four hand crews backed by 17 engines, three bulldozers, two falling modules and multiple aircraft including helicopters and fixed-wing planes. Law enforcement is investigating the cause of the fire. Forest officials urge people to use extreme caution while recreating in the woods. Extremely dry conditions, gusty winds and elevated temperatures are conducive to rapid fire spread from a single spark. If you see suspicious or careless activity in the forest, please report it.

 

Rogue Community College is expanding opportunities for students interested in dental careers with the launch of a new online course this fall and an upcoming session for its Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs. Beginning fall term, RCC will offer DH100 Pre-Dental Hygiene, an online course designed to introduce students to foundational concepts in dental hygiene. Students will learn basic dental terminology, how to access a patient's oral needs and how to plan appropriate dental hygiene treatments. Completion of the course can strengthen applications to RCC's competitive dental programs. Students who complete DH100 will receive additional points on their program application. Applications are now open through this Friday for the Fall 2025 cohort of RCC's Dental Assisting certificate program, a four-term program that runs fall through summer. Attendance at an information session is required as part of the application process. Details are available at "roguecc.edu/dental."