Local News

Oregon Heritage, a division of the state Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 20 grants totaling $300,000 for historic properties and archeology projects. Six of the grants were awarded in the "Diamonds in the Rough" category. This grant funds façade enhancements that restore the historic character of a property. The other 14 grants were in the "Preserving Oregon" category for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and archeology projects. Locally funded projects include a Southern Oregon University study to develop a plastic identification tool. Another local project is preservation of Talent Town Hall. Potential future projects include preservation of the Caretaker's Cottage at Riverside Park in Grants Pass. For more information about the grant program, please visit "oregonheritage.org."

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for a weekend domestic violence incident in the southeast part of the city. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Gerald L. Proffit for the incident in the 800-block of SE Grandview Avenue on Saturday at 10:45 p.m.. Police said Proffit and a woman were involved in a physical altercation when he threw a fan at her and struck her while she was in the bathroom of the home. They said the woman went to grab her purse in the hallway when Profitt shoved her to the floor and pushed an electric scooter at her. He then struck her with his fists and kicked her while she was down before dragging her into the dining room. Upon arrival, officers noted the female victim had bruises, abrasions, small cuts and lacerations from the altercation -- but she refused medical attention. A broken fan was located in the bathroom and blood was located on the wall as well as on Profitt's T-shirt. He was immediately placed into custody. Profitt was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and he was being held without bail. The victim was provided with a domestic violence resource card and left in the care of a friend.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for assaulting her husband at a southwest city residence late last week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 44-year-old Patricia Diane Gilbert for the incident in the 700-block of SW Bridge Street on Friday around 5:30 p.m.. Police said Gilbert's husband called 9-1-1 to report that his wife had punched in the face during an argument. They said the man told them his wife had threatened him recently and she was possibly under the influence of methamphetamine. Upon arrival, officers noted redness and swelling on the victim's face so the suspect was placed into custody. Gilbert was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and she was being held without bail. Her husband refused medical treatment, but he was provided with a domestic violence victim's card.

 

Police arrested a felon for weapon and drug crimes during a weekend encounter near the Grants Pass Shopping Center -- and he may be facing additional charges. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 42-year-old Joshua Francis Pitts in a vehicle parked in the 900-block of NE D Street on Saturday at 4:15 a.m.. Police said they observed in plain sight a water bong used to smoke narcotics and a loaded syringe. A consent search of the vehicle revealed the suspect to be in possession of methamphetamine and seven restricted weapons. Also found were burglary tools and clothing which matched a suspect in several recent burglaries. Pitts was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for seven counts of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Methamphetamine Possession. Additional charges were pending the continuing investigation.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for unruly behavior in the area of a downtown resting site late last week. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 39-year-old Stephen Elijah Robison in the 700-block of NW 6th Street on Friday at 2:40 p.m.. Police said Robison was observed to be engaging in violent, tumultuous fighting behavior that moved into a travel lane of 6th Street across from the department's headquarters. They said he fled on foot when he observed officers coming. They gave chase as he refused to comply with commands to stop. Robison was eventually cornered and placed into custody on NW 5th Street. A victim of the suspect's aggression wanted to press charges. Robison was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment, Disorderly Conduct and Attempted Escape. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing an identification reader from a southeast city watering hole over the weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint at Flespy's Bar & Grill on Fruitdale Drive on Saturday around 6:30 p.m.. Police said the bar manager called 9-1-1 to report that 55-year-old Jeffrey Raymond Shields had been observed on surveillance video grabbing an ID reader valued at $995 and leaving the business. The incident occurred early Saturday morning and the manager called when Shields returned to the bar that evening. Upon arrival, officers contacted Shields who admitted to taking the reader and throwing it in the blackberry bushes near Flespy's. However, officers were initially unable to locate the stolen item. Shields was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. It was unclear in the report if the stolen ID reader was ever found.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for assaulting a woman and threatening her with a shotgun at a Rogue River Highway RV park. The Police Department reports officers arrested 50-year-old Joseph David Kusch for the incident in the 1800-block of Highway 99 on Friday at 2:36 p.m.. Police said the female victim called 9-1-1 to report that Kusch was inside their trailer with a loaded shotgun and she was unable to leave. She told dispatchers the suspect placed his forearm on her chest and pushed her several feet back onto a bed. She also had to grab his hand away from her throat and push him away. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, the victim began to recant all her statements and said she did not want Kusch to be arrested. However, officers developed enough probable cause to place the suspect into custody. Kusch was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Domestic Strangulation and Domestic Menacing. He was being held without bail pending his arraignment. The victim refused to accept any resources from the Women's Crisis Support Team.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for shooting a bow and arrow at a tiny city park late last week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident involving 20-year-old Krys Isiah Green at Kesterson Park on NE Evelyn Avenue on Friday morning. Police said witnesses saw Green pointing the bow and arrow at passing vehicles and shooting it toward a tent. Upon contact, the suspect told officers he was just practicing by shooting it at a tree. However, others at the park felt threatened. Green was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Disorderly Conduct. The bow and arrow were seized as evidence. Green was also trespassed from Kesterson Park for 30 days.

 

One person was injured in a weekend crash at a Cave Junction intersection. On Friday at 7:56 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Josephine County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Laurel Road and Cedar Brook Lane. Few details about the incident were available, but IVFD officials reported one person was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center. The Sheriff's Office assumed responsibility for the investigation. Meanwhile, IVFD, AMR and the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Redwood Highway at Ken Rose Lane in Cave Junction on Saturday at 1:14 p.m.. Officials said no one was hurt and OSP was investigating the cause of the wreck.