Local News

GP Police Arrested One, Cited Several & Evicted Eight in City Park Patrols
Grants Pass Police arrested one camper on an outstanding warrant, cited several more for ordinance violations and evicted eight of them in Tuesday park patrols. At Baker Park, officers contacted a 30-year-old woman who was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Probation Violation related to an arrest for Fentanyl Possession. She was lodged in jail on a no-bail detainer. Also at Baker Park, a female camper was cited for Illegal Camping and Misuse of Open Spaces, a man and woman were cited for Methamphetamine Possession, and a man was cited for Open Burning and Scattering Rubbish. All five were trespassed from the park for 30 days. At Morrison Centennial Park, a man and woman were cited for Illegal Camping and Misuse of Open Spaces while another woman was cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Scattering Rubbish. All three were issued 30-day park exclusions. At Tussing Park, officers responded to a complaint about ordinance violations including tents not following buffer zone rules and garbage spread all around the facility. One man was cited for Illegal Camping. All other issues were unfounded.
Posted on 4/10/24 11:32AM by Sam Marsh
 

OSP Provides More Information on Double-Fatal Crash on Riverbanks Road
The Oregon State Police has provided more information on the double-fatal crash that occurred this week on Riverbanks Road west of Grants Pass. In a Tuesday afternoon press release, OSP reported troopers and emergency crews were dispatched to the single-vehicle wreck near milepost 20 of State Route 260 on Monday at 6:05 p.m.. Troopers said a preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Dodge Ram 2500 driven by 39-year-old David Scott Anderson of Wilderville left the roadway for an unknown reason, struck some trees and overturned. His passenger was identified as 28-year-old Shelby McKenzie Spliethof of Wilderville. According to Rural Metro Fire Department, the crash occurred in the sharp S-curves between Marcy Loop and Douglas Drive. Efforts to rapidly extricate and treat the two occupants were performed, but both Anderson and Spliethof were confirmed to be deceased at the scene. Riverbanks Road was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. Traffic was detoured while the scene was active. OSP was assisted by Rural Metro, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, American Medical Response and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office as well as several citizens.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:43AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Man for Causing Wild Disturbance at Eastside Supermarket
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for causing a wild disturbance at an east-city supermarket early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 39-year-old male subject for the incident at WinCo Foods on Tuesday at 12:32 a.m.. Police said they responded to an active disturbance involving the man and several WinCo employees. As officers were responding, dispatchers advised them that the man was engaged in a physical fight with another man in the store parking lot. An investigation determined the suspect had entered the store, consumed alcohol and cookies, and exited out an emergency door when confronted. The suspect then entered a parked vehicle and began fighting with its owner. Once Officers detained the man, he admitted that he was aware he entered the vehicle and said he did so in an effort to steal it. He also admitted that he damaged an ATM machine at the nearby Rogue Credit Union. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Disorderly Conduct and 3rd-Degree Theft plus violating his probation in Jackson County. A charge related to the ATM vandalism was pending further investigation.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:41AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Jailed Woman for Suspicion of Drug Trafficking after Traffic Stop
Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for suspicion of drug trafficking this week following a traffic stop near Tussing Park. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a vehicle driven by the 42-year-old woman near the corner of West Park and Short streets shortly before midnight on Monday. Police did not say why they stopped the woman, but confirmed that she was placed into custody because of an ongoing narcotics investigation. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Manufacture and Delivery of Fentanyl as well as Felony Possession of Fentanyl. She was being held without bail.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:39AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Collared IV Man for Outstanding Felony Warrant after Highway 199 Stop
The Oregon State Police jailed an Illinois Valley man on an outstanding felony warrant this week following a traffic stop in Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Ford F-350 pickup driven by the 47-year-old Cave Junction man on Redwood Highway near Laurel Drive around midday Monday. State troopers said they stopped the man for observed traffic violations and they quickly discovered that he was wanted on a felony warrant for absconding on his parole from a previous conviction for an unspecified crime. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His vehicle was released to a licensed driver.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:31AM by Sam Marsh
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Two Men Snared Just Minutes Apart for Trespassing at GP Coffee Businesses
Two men were arrested just minutes apart this week for trespassing at coffee-related businesses in downtown Grants Pass. The Grants Pass Police Department reports the first incident occurred early Monday morning at Dutch Bros headquarters on SW 4th Street. Police said a Dutch Bros employee reported a male transient sleeping behind the building next to the picnic tables in the covered break area of the facility. The caller said they asked the man to leave last Friday, but he had returned. Officers placed the 46-year-old man into custody, charged him with Criminal Trespass and lodged him in jail. The second incident occurred early Monday morning at the Human Bean stand at the Riverway on SE 7th Street. Police said a 30-year-old man was asked to leave the Human Bean property and he refused. They said he returned multiple times and asked the young female worker to expose herself to him. He also checked the employee's vehicle and returned to the stand where he peered into the window after pounding on the back door. He was placed into custody, charged with Criminal Trespass and lodged in jail.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC Set to Hold Public Hearing on Amendments to Rural Development Code
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on an ordinance amending the Rural Land Development Code during its weekly business session this morning. The Board will hold the hearing on the first reading of an ordinance designed to update development code definitions and the chapter concerning rural residential zones. If approved, a second reading and adoption is set for April 24th. There are no Administrative Action items on the agenda for the meeting, which will begin with the monthly recognition of employees. As usual, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when participants are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
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Jackson County Sheriff's Office Named "2023 Oregon DUII Enforcement Agency of Year"
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The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was honored with the 2023 Oregon DUII Enforcement Agency of the Year Award in a ceremony last week. The award came from the Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force in recognition for outstanding professional achievement in the deterrence and prevention of impaired driving in the state. This award highlighted the Sheriff's Office comprehensive approach to ensuring road safety and reducing DUII incidents within Jackson County. In 2023, the Sheriff's Patrol Division -- which was comprised of approximately 40 sworn personnel -- was responsible for 1,032 crash investigations, 367 DUII arrests and 13,526 traffic stops. Beyond DUII enforcement, Jackson County has adopted a strategy to prevent DUIIs, emphasizing strong community ties and proactive education. These efforts include the launch of a Citizen Recognition Program to honor and encourage public involvement in identifying impaired drivers, enhancing collaborations with emergency response teams, and the delivery of extensive educational programs targeting various community segments. The Sheriff's Office also places a significant emphasis on law enforcement training including refreshers on field sobriety testing, advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement and specialized courses on drug influence evaluation.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
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AllCare Health Awards $200K Grant to CASA of Oregon for Josephine County Housing
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AllCare Health is pleased to announce a $200,000 grant award to CASA of Oregon for a significant housing project in Josephine County. This grant is for the preservation of a 110-space co-op manufactured home park in Grants Pass. AllCare officials said they are proud to support CASA of Oregon as a pioneering leader in services that improve community economic and housing stability while reducing the burden of homelessness and housing insecurity. This project supports members of AllCare Health's Coordinated Care Organization, low-income community members, tribal community members, and particularly community members experiencing economic and housing instability along with behavioral health challenges. AllCare Health is an innovative, physician-owned and locally-operated healthcare organization. The grant is part of AllCare's pledge of $2.7 million this year for improving the health and well-being of all Southern Oregon communities. CASA of Oregon is a non-profit community partner with AllCare providing housing stability for individuals and families throughout the state.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Public Works Department Announces 2023 Water Quality Report is Now Available
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The Grants Pass Public Works Department is pleased to announce the annual Water Quality Report for 2023 is ready for public viewing. The purpose of this Consumer Confidence Report is to improve public health by providing information to allow customers to make educated decisions regarding any potential health risks regarding the quality, treatment and management of the Grants Pass drinking water supply. The report is required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to provide detailed information about the quality of local drinking water. Grants Pass Public Works Director Jason Canady said it's also an opportunity for the City to provide you with information on where your water comes from, how it is treated, and what is done to ensure it remains clean, fresh and safe. To view the 2023 Water Quality Report, visit "grantspassoregon.gov." If you would prefer to have a printed report mailed to you, please call the Public Works administration office at (541)-450-6110.
Posted on 4/10/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC Set to Hold Public Hearing on Amendments to Rural Development Code
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on an ordinance amending the Rural Land Development Code during its weekly business session tomorrow morning. The Board will hold the hearing on the first reading of an ordinance designed to update development code definitions and the chapter concerning rural residential zones. If approved, a second reading and adoption is set for April 24th. There are no Administrative Action items on the agenda for the meeting, which will begin with the monthly recognition of employees. As usual, there will be Requests and Comments from Citizens when participants are given three minutes to address the Board on virtually any topic pertaining to Josephine County. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 4/9/24 11:52AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Collared IV Man for Outstanding Felony Warrant after Highway 199 Stop
The Oregon State Police jailed an Illinois Valley man on an outstanding felony warrant yesterday following a traffic stop in Cave Junction. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Ford F-350 pickup driven by the 47-year-old Cave Junction man on Redwood Highway near Laurel Drive on Monday around 11:30 a.m.. State troopers said they stopped the man for observed traffic violations and they quickly discovered that he was wanted on a felony warrant for absconding on his parole from a previous conviction for an unspecified crime. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. His vehicle was released to a licensed driver.
Posted on 4/9/24 11:23AM by Sam Marsh
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