Local News

RCC Small Business Development Center Receives Award to Improve Local Services
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Business Oregon is pleased to announce an award of $3 million to 15 currently operating Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to improve their services. The Rogue Community College SBDC is among the recipients. SBDCs assist clients with business plan preparation, financial management, personnel management and marketing. They also help facilitate capital by bridging the gap between small businesses seeking capital and lenders seeking qualified buyers. The SBDCs are hosted by Oregon's 17 community colleges, Southern Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University and the Columbia Economic Team. They are embedded in places across the state where collaboration is at a premium. Business Oregon released a Request for Grant Applications in December that was targeted at Oregon's 20 SBDCs. Twenty-three requests for assistance were received and 21 met the eligibility criteria laid out in the application. The RCC SBDC is a valuable resource for small businesses in Josephine and Jackson counties. To learn more about the local SBDC in Grants Pass, visit "roguecc.edu."
Posted on 4/24/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh
 

Enthusiastic HVHS Students Participated in "Day of Caring" Event This Week
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Hidden Valley High School students -- in collaboration with the Josephine County Foundation and Pacific Power -- demonstrated their commitment to community service and spirit during a "Day of Caring" event held earlier this week. The event was aimed at spreading positivity and fostering community engagement. There was enthusiastic participation from HVHS students and volunteers from JCF and Pacific Power. Together, they embarked on various initiatives to uplift and enhance not only the Hidden Valley campus but other Three Rivers District schools including Madrona, Fruitdale, Lincoln Savage and Applegate. Activities during the "HVHS Day of Caring" spanned a wide range, from cleanup efforts to beautification projects. Students rolled up their sleeves to pick up litter, repair and paint sports facilities, plant flowers and spread bark mulch. The event also included refurbishing stadium bleachers and preparing the courtyard for a future fundraiser to support a new Veteran's Memorial.
Posted on 4/24/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh
 

Commissioners Set to Designate 4 Properties to be Sold at Sheriff's Auction
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners are set to designate four county-owned properties for a future Sheriff's Sale during its weekly business session on Wednesday. Under Administrative Actions, the Board will consider designating parcels on Lower Wolf Creek Road, Ingalls Lane, Josephine Street and Redwood Highway as surplus property to be sold with the proceeds going to the Parks Department. In another Action item, the Commissioners will consider an intergovernmental agreement supporting a Community Development Block Grant for the City of Cave Junction. Resolution to the proposed sale of the Pipefork timber property near Williams is also listed as an Action item on the agenda. The sale of the 320-acre parcel to a nature conservancy has been in the works for several months, with a large sum separating the two sides. However, citizens in Williams have raised additional funds to help the sale go through. Wednesday's public meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 4/23/24 1:16PM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Incarcerated Man for DUII after Domestic Disturbance on Merlin Rd.
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The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for impaired driving and he may be facing additional charges following a domestic disturbance in Merlin late last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the disturbance between a man and woman in the 100-block of Merlin Road on Monday around 10:55 p.m.. Deputies said several people called 9-1-1 to report an angry male subject kicking a female who was on the ground. The man was also reported to be punching a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser. A female friend showed up to help the woman and the man became aggressive with both women before riding off on a motorcycle. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the man and determined that he was impaired. They detained him, obtained a search warrant and transported him to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He was being held without bail and an investigation into the domestic disturbance was continuing. The 30-year-old suspect was flagged for being known to assault law enforcement and even threatening to go after their families.
Posted on 4/23/24 11:45AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Arrested Man on Warrant & New Charges after Gooseberries Call
Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding local warrant and added some new charges to his criminal bill yesterday after an incident at a specialty store in the Redwood area. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Gooseberries in the 1200-block of Redwood Avenue on Monday at about 2:15 p.m.. Police said a 30-year-old man placed a woman in fear of physical harm with his violent and tumultuous behavior. They said the man was sitting in a nearby field drinking a beer when he got up, threw down his backpack and charged the victim's vehicle in the parking lot at Gooseberries. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect interfering with traffic, stating that he was uncooperative and tried to walk away. Once he was detained, it was learned that he was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief and Furnishing False Information to Police. The suspect resisted arrest by attempting to use his strength to prevent being placed in handcuffs. He was taken to the ground where he was placed into custody and then lodged in jail on the warrant and for Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.
Posted on 4/23/24 11:44AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Man for Causing Disturbance at and near North Safeway
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for multiple crimes after he caused a disturbance at and near a downtown supermarket late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the violent disturbance at the north Safeway on SE 7th Street on Monday shortly after 4 p.m.. Police said the 41-year-old man was intoxicated, refused to leave the store when asked and tried to fight several customers. They said he then walked over to the OLCC store on SE 8th Street and continued to try to fight people. While being handcuffed, the man flexed and pulled away while making threats to fight and kill law enforcement. The suspect was booked into the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 4/23/24 11:42AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Collared Man on State Warrant Out of Jackson County after GP Stop
The Oregon State Police arrested a man on a state warrant during a traffic stop that occurred in north Grants Pass late yesterday. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Cobalt driven by the 47-year-old male subject near the corner of NE 7th Street and Hillcrest Drive on Monday at 4:49 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the man for an obstructed window on his car. They soon discovered that he was wanted on a statewide felony warrant out of Jackson County for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substances. The suspect was lodged on the warrant at the Josephine County Jail where he awaits transfer to the Jackson County Jail in Medford. At his request, his car was left in the Motel 6 parking lot with his passenger.
Posted on 4/23/24 11:40AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Man for Probation Violation after "Dumpster Diving" Call
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his probation by "dumpster diving" at an apartment complex near the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident near the corner of NW 2nd and E streets on Monday at about 10 a.m.. Police said the 44-year-old male subject was reported to be going through the trash at an apartment complex and throwing it all over. Callers said it appeared the man was under the influence of narcotics at the time. Officers responded, searched for the man and located him at the corner of 2nd and D streets. They placed him into custody and booked him into jail for Offensive Littering and the resulting Probation Violation related to an arrest for burglary. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the suspect has been arrested 11 times for Parole Violation since April of last year and three times for Probation Violation since March of this year.
Posted on 4/23/24 11:39AM by Sam Marsh
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Sheriff's Office Seeks Help in Finding GP Teen Who Ran Away from Home
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UPDATE: Kaiden Thayer has been located.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating a missing teenager who ran away from home last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports 15-year-old Kaiden Eugene Thayer left his residence on Hubbard Lane in Grants Pass on Saturday and had not returned as of today. His family last had contact with him on April 17th. Thayer is believed to be in Grants Pass or surrounding areas. He is described as a white male, 5-feet-8-inches tall and 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kayden Thayer is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123.
Posted on 4/23/24 11:37AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Incarcerated Young Suspect Twice in One Night for Several Crimes
Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" twice in one night last weekend for multiple crimes. The Police Department reports the first incident involving the 20-year-old man occurred near the corner of NE Hillcrest Drive and 6th Street on Sunday around 6:50 p.m.. Police said the male subject was observed walking north in the center lane of 6th Street, obstructing the travel of at least five vehicles which had to swerve around him. He also openly stole merchandise from the Pinnacle 365 store at the 76 gas station. Officers arrested the young man and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. The young man was released from jail at about 9 p.m. and a short time later he was observed walking into an open garage in the 1100-block of SW Spruce Street and riding away on a bicycle valued at $145. Officers once again arrested the suspect and lodged him in jail for Felony 1st-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Theft and Resisting Arrest. This time, he was held without bail. According to the report, the second incident was captured on video surveillance and the stolen bicycle was not recovered.
Posted on 4/23/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Convicted Sex Offender after Early Morning Check at Park
Grants Pass Police jailed an out-of-compliance sex offender after an early morning patrol check at a city park yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 37-year-old man at Baker Park on Monday at 2:33 a.m.. Police said they contacted a group of people at the park including the man they knew to be out of compliance with his sex offender registration. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was charged with Failure to Report as a Convicted Sex Offender and he was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail.
Posted on 4/23/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Investigating Alleged Case of Menacing with Firearm in Grants Pass
The Oregon State Police was investigating an alleged case of menacing after a weekend incident at a gas station in south Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers were dispatched to a report of menacing at the gas station at the corner of Williams Highway and New Hope Road on Saturday at 5:15 p.m.. Troopers said the victims stated that they had followed a suspected impaired driver into the station. The suspect vehicle parked when an unidentified suspect got out of the vehicle and pulled a black subcompact pistol on the two occupants -- a driver and a passenger. No one was injured and the suspect vehicle drove away. OSP said an investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to dial *OSP.
Posted on 4/23/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh
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