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All 3 Josephine County Law Enforcement Agencies Made at Least 1 DUII Arrest

All three law enforcement agencies in Josephine County made at least one arrest for impaired driving over the weekend. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a 26-year-old woman for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving in an unspecified location on Friday. She was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail. The Oregon State Police arrested a 26-year-old man for Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants in an unspecified location on Sunday at 2:28 p.m.. He was lodged in jail and was being held without bail. The Grants Pass Police Department arrested a 34-year-old man for Felony DUII in an unspecified location on Sunday at 3:14 p.m.. He was lodged in jail without bail.

Posted on 3/25/24 9:48AM by Sam Marsh

Investigators Believe Mechanical Issue Caused Vehicle Fire on Trollview Road

Investigators believe a mechanical issue is what caused a vehicle to burn in south Grants Pass early yesterday. On Sunday at 8:52 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department responded to the reported vehicle fire in the 500-block of Trollview Road. Rural Metro officials said crews extinguished the fire in short order and were able to keep the flames from spreading to the adjacent structure. Officials said there no injuries reported, but the vehicle was completely destroyed.

Posted on 3/25/24 9:47AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Man for Drug-Fueled Vandalism Rampage in Downtown Cave Jct.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for going on a drug-fueled rampage in downtown Cave Junction over the weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested the 36-year-old man in the 200-block of North Redwood Highway on Saturday at 1:36 p.m.. Deputies said the suspect admitted to using rocks to break windows at Wild Bill's Smoke Shop and the Illinois Valley branch library. They said he also used a flyer container to smash a window at Illinois Valley Real Estate. The clerk at the smoke shop said the suspect came into the store before the incident and told the clerk that he wanted a pipe even though he didn't have any money. He reportedly slammed his fist on the counter when he was refused and then exited the business. The clerk handed the man a small pipe when he left to avoid trouble. According to the report, the subsequent vandalism incidents were captured on video surveillance and total damages were well over $1,000. The man was speaking jibberish and was believed to be impaired by drugs during the incident. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and the resulting Probation Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:19AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for 4 Crimes while Recovering Stolen Vehicle in South GP

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for multiple crimes while recovering a stolen vehicle in a weekend traffic stop in the southeast part of the city. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over a 2007 Acura RDX driven by a 40-year-old man near the corner of Fruitdale Drive and Florence Lane on Saturday around 8:50 p.m.. Deputies said they stopped the vehicle because it had been reported stolen by the Grants Pass Police Department. They said it was occupied by the driver and a female passenger. The driver initially gave deputies a false name. Further investigation revealed the vehicle had been damaged from forced entry. The driver and passenger were detained, but only the driver was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief, Furnishing False Information to Police and Probation Violation related to Theft. He was being held without bail. GPPD and the registered owner of the Acura were notified, and the owner came to the scene of the traffic stop to pick up his vehicle.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:17AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Collared Local Fugitive during Weekend Contact at East GP Restaurant

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a fugitive wanted on two local warrants during a weekend contact at an east Grants Pass restaurant. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 58-year-old man at Shari's Cafe & Pies on NE Agness Avenue on Friday at 11:22 p.m.. Deputies said they were on the Grants Pass Parkway when they spotted a vehicle associated with the man whom they knew was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Unlawful Possession of a Destructive Device as well as a local misdemeanor warrant for failing to appear in court for Driving While Suspended. The suspect was placed into custody on the warrants and he was found to be out-of-compliance with his sex offender registration. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on $60,000 bail and his vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:15AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Probation Violation after He Stole Woman's Phone

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating terms of his probation by stealing his ex-girlfriend's cell phone late last week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a theft complaint in the 1700-block of SW Brownell Avenue on Friday afternoon. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her 28-year-old ex-boyfriend had taken her Nokia 5G phone valued at approximately $300. She advised that they had just broken up and he took the phone in order to deprive her of her property. Officers searched the area and located the suspect walking along SW Bridge Street near Spruce Street. He was found to be in possession of the stolen phone and was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft and two counts of Probation Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:14AM by Sam Marsh

Firefighters Mobilized to Fires on Plumtree Lane Property for 2nd Time in 2024

For the second time this year, Rural Metro Fire Department was mobilized to a fire on a property in the North Valley area late last week. On Thursday afternoon, Rural Metro crews from the Monument Drive and Azalea Drive stations responded to the reported fire in the 1,000-block of Plumtree Lane. An engine from Grants Pass Fire & Rescue also responded to back Rural Metro. Arriving units found two 30-foot motorhomes fully-involved in flames. The fires were easily contained and mopped up. A fire that occurred at the same location on January 16th involved a single-wide mobile home. Rural Metro officials said the property is littered with accumulation including vehicles and trash. They said occupants seen scattered around the property did not provide information on the cause of the fires, but evidence of dismantling the RVs was noted by investigators. As of Friday, neighborhood concerns about the fires and environmental hazards on the Plumtree Lane property were forwarded to Josephine County Solid Waste.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:12AM by Sam Marsh

GP Parks Staff Continues Working to Maintain and Improve Recreation Spaces

Batter up! Grants Pass Parks staff renovated the softball infield at Eckstein Park over the last couple of months -- measuring and removing overgrown outfield turf -- to bring it back to the original infield dimensions. Staff also incorporated two tons of Turface, a calcined clay soil additive, to enhance soil management, preventing oversaturation and maintaining optimal playing conditions. Renovating ballfields is crucial for maintaining safe and enjoyable recreation spaces for the community. Meanwhile, the pond at Reinhart Volunteer Park was restocked with 300 legal-sized rainbow trout last week by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. More bark was spread to freshen up the landscape beds at Morrison Centennial Park last week. Staff also removed some concrete to gain access to a couple of valve repairs at Reinhart Volunteer Park and took proactive measures to enhance safety by removing the decaying railroad ties and installing a new concrete curb, effectively eliminating a potential trip hazard. Staff also removed several stumps throughout the parks system, and pruned trees at the Grants Pass Skate Park and Tussing Park where the bucket truck was needed to reach some of the higher limbs.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:11AM by Sam Marsh

Oregon Now Ranked Second in the Nation for Number of Firewise USA Communities

With 290 Firewise USA sites in good standing, the Oregon Department of Forestry is proud that the state is ranked #2 in the nation for number of Firewise USA sites. In 2023, Oregon added 39 new sites creating more fire-adapted communities. Along with being #2 as a state last year, Oregon is also home to the #4 and #5 counties with the most sites in the nation: Jackson County with 75 sites and Deschutes County with 73. Firewise USA is a program that helps guide communities in the process of protecting their homes and neighborhoods from wildfire. The program is run by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and co-sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters and US Forest Service. The Oregon Department of Forestry is responsible for administering the program in Oregon and is a resource to help communities create a wildfire protection plan, find grants to fund projects and give expert advice. This work is not done alone. Through the help of ODF's partners -- like the Oregon State Fire Marshal, community coordinators and local fire departments -- they all work together to complete assessments and help the community develop action plans for implementing wildfire risk reduction activities.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:02AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police & Firefighters Active in Community Protection as Season Changed to Spring

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters were active in community protection as the seasons changed from winter to spring. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 880 calls for service along with 244 officer-initiated calls last week, which resulted in 43 arrests, 60 citations, 22 warnings and one highly-intoxicated person being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 37 traffic stops and made 32 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 136 contacts with potential trouble-makers while arresting seven people, citing 18 more and warning 37 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 13 individuals, posted 92 transient camps and removed trash from four campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 113 calls last week including 40 for emergency medical service, four for reports of fire or smoke, 11 lift assists, two rescue situations, six assists to other agencies and three false alarms. The 9-1-1 Dispatch Center fielded a total of 1,115 emergency calls.

Posted on 3/25/24 5:00AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro Hosted Successful Fire Training and Flag Retirement on Murphy Creek Road

Rural Metro Fire Department hosted a successful "live" fire training event on Murphy Creek Road this past weekend. After approximately two months of preparation on a donated structure slated for demolition, firefighters from several agencies gathered at the location Saturday to learn more about the science and behavior of fire, water supply, hose management techniques, and the principles of ventilation and air flow paths. For nearly a dozen firefighters, this was their first "live" fire training exercise. Despite the rain and muddy conditions, crews completed the training successfully and the building was left to burn completely. Before the final ignition, an American Flag Retirement Ceremony was conducted for more than 85 flags collected from the community over the past couple of weeks. The ceremony included a few words by one of the chief officers, the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence as six firefighters walked final flags into the center of the building to join the other flags in their final resting place.

Posted on 3/25/24 4:56AM by Sam Marsh

Violent Collison Sends Two to Hospital & Creates Temporary Power Outage.

Two individuals were transported to the hospital following a two-car collision that left one on its top and the other significantly damaged along with a power pole. Rural Metro fire was called to the intersection of New Hope and Lonnon Roads Friday morning at 10:13. They stated the victims likely had non-life-threatening injuries. The crash also damaged a power pole; however, lines did not come down. Traffic was cautiously moved through the incident scene by Rural Metro Firefighters, being mindful of the low-hanging lines and tall profile vehicles. Over 400 power customers experienced the temporary outage. Power was restored as of 3:40 Friday afternoon.

Posted on 3/23/24 5:40AM by Chuck Benson

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