Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a defiant camper at a city park along the Rogue River yesterday. At Tussing Park, officers said they contacted a man who refused to leave the park after he had been issued a 30-day exclusion more than one week ago. He was placed into custody and lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. The man was also trespassed from Tussing Park for an additional 30 days and his belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping. Meanwhile, a total of 11 campsites were posted for Illegal Camping at the park and an e-mail was sent to the United Community Action Network (UCAN).

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant and then added a felony-level charge to his criminal bill after he intentionally spat on an officer. The Police Department reports officers responded to a fight between two male subjects at the downtown Post Office on Wednesday afternoon. Police said passing motorists on NW 6th Street called 9-1-1 to report the brawl between the men, one of whom was riding a bicycle. They contacted both parties, including a 46-year-old man who was wanted on a Jackson County warrant for Disorderly Conduct. That man was placed into custody. While being placed in the backseat of a patrol vehicle, the man intentionally expelled saliva from his mouth and spit on an officer's face. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant along with a new charge of Felony Aggravated Harassment. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for raising a ruckus at Three Rivers Medical Center early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a disturbance at the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Thursday shortly after 3 a.m.. Police said the female subject was transported to the hospital from the downtown 7-Eleven store for unspecified reasons. When she was asked to exit the emergency room, she refused and reportedly caused alarm in the ER lobby by acting in a violent and tumultuous manner. Officers said the woman's behavior continued to escalate when she swore at them, threatened to shoot them and threw items at them, all while screaming profanities. Records show the woman is no stranger to the Josephine County Jail. She was taken there and lodged without bail on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant this week during a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in the Illinois Valley. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a white Toyota sedan driven by a 56-year-old man on US Highway 199 near Squaw Mountain Road on Wednesday afternoon. Deputies said the driver was slow to pull over, but did so after turning onto Falling Leaf Road. They said they stopped the man for traffic violations and learned that he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a previous conviction for Felony Assault. After the warrant was confirmed, the suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man on a local felony warrant this week after a welfare check at a Rogue River Highway watering hole. The Police Department reports officers were patrolling Highway 99 on Wednesday night when they received a report of a male subject using fentanyl in the parking lot of O'Aces Tavern. Police said they contacted and detained the 23-year-old man before discovering that he was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. There was no further mention of narcotics in the report. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving this week after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway near Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Ford F-150 pickup driven by a 32-year-old man on US Highway 199 near Hubbard Lane late Wednesday night. Troopers said they stopped the driver for traffic violations and he displayed signs of impairment. They said he performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample exceeding the legal driving limit. The motorist was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He was cited to appear in court and then released. Per his request, his vehicle was picked up by a family member.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry and Jackson County Fire District #3 put out a small grass fire near Central Point on Thursday. ODF officials said the grass fire in the 5,000-block of Tamarack Lane was reported at about 1:15 p.m. yesterday. Both agencies responded with full resources and firefighters were able to stop the blaze at a half-acre. The cause of the fire was under investigation. Officials urged Southern Oregon residents to be aware that fires are more prone to start and spread as warm temperatures begin to materialize this spring. For more information on fire prevention, please visit "swofire.com."

 

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Collaborative Economic Development Committee (CEDC) due to a vacancy. This term is due to expire on June 30, 2025. The CEDC is an advisory committee that is responsible for the implementation of the joint Economic Development Strategic Plan adopted by the Grants Pass City Council and Josephine County Board of Commissioners. The Economic Development Strategic Plan can be found on the City website at "grantspassoregon.gov." Target areas include services, infrastructure and workforce development. All members of the CEDC must be at least 18 years of age and reside within the boundaries of Josephine County. The special qualification or experience for this position is Business Retail. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 18th.

 

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced major investments to enhance water infrastructure and conservation including nearly $3 million for the Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery in Jackson County. More than $12.5 million in funding for eight critical community-initiated projects across the state have passed through the Fiscal Year 2024 Minibus Funding Package. The six-bill package cleared both chambers of Congress last week and was quickly signed into law by President Biden. Wyden and Merkley secured the investments in the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development bill in the funding package. It supports programs and projects to enhance water infrastructure, small ports and fisheries. The Cole Rivers Hatchery on the Rogue River will receive $2.92 million for repairs to the fresh water supply system. This will prevent the complete failure of and loss of fish at the hatchery as well as to help create a more climate-resilient hatchery that meets its mitigation obligations, reliably sustains regionally important fisheries and economies, and plays a key role in conservation programs for at-risk native fish populations. The Oregon Senators said these actions will boost job creation, particularly in rural and coastal communities.