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GP 9-1-1 Communications Center Answered Over 1,000 Calls during Past Week

The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center answered more than 1,000 calls over the past week. In its Week in Review post on Facebook, the local 9-1-1 Dispatch Center reports that it received a total of 1,069 emergency calls. The bulk of the calls -- 982 -- were for the Grants Pass Police Department, with 286 calls recorded for American Medical Response. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue accounted for 83 calls, followed by Rural Metro Fire Department with 49. The Illinois Valley Fire District received 20 calls while the Oregon Department of Forestry received 6, the Williams Rural Fire Protection District received 4 and the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District got 3. Dispatchers also answered 383 inbound calls from their administrative lines and made 442 outbound calls from the 9-1-1 center.

Posted on 2/17/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro Touts Opportunities for Prospective Emergency Service Workers

Are you a young person thinking about a career in emergency services? If so, there are three free "camps" coming up that are designed to present an introductory look at what is involved. For high school seniors, Rogue Community College has two camps in March for firefighters and emergency medical technicians. To learn more and to apply by February 28th, visit "roguecc.edu/emergencyservices." For young ladies ages 16 to 20, the 2024 Rogue Girls Fire Camp will be held June 21st-23rd at Jackson County Fire District #3 in White City. To learn more, e-mail "roguegirlsfire@gmail.com" or call (541)-774-2320. Anyone wishing to speak directly with a first responder about working in the emergency services field can stop by their local Rural Metro Fire Department station and ask questions.

Posted on 2/17/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh

Pacific Power Asks Oregon Regulators to Approve 17% Rate Hike Starting Next Year

The Oregonian is reporting that Pacific Power is asking state regulators to approve a 17% rate increase for residential customers and businesses starting next year. The public-owned utility says it needs the roughly $304 million the rate hike would generate for new renewable energy projects and investments in transmission infrastructure that would allow it to add those sources to the grid. The money also would pay for reducing wildfire risks, including vegetation management in wildfire-prone areas, creating a catastrophic fire fund and paying for Pacific Power's rapidly growing wildfire insurance premiums, according to the utility. If the Oregon Public Utility Commission approves the increase, the average residential customer with typical energy usage would pay an additional $29.47 per month. It would be the third double-digit rate increase within three years – on top of the 12.9% increase for residential, business and industrial customers that took effect in January and the 21% rate hike for residential customers in 2023. Pacific Power serves about 618,000 customers in Oregon. In recent years, Pacific Power’s parent company, PacifiCorp, has been hit with multiple wildfire-related lawsuits and has been on the hook to pay related damages. The rate increase would not cover wildfire-related litigation costs but does seek to pay for preventive measures to address issues brought up in those lawsuits.

Posted on 2/17/24 6:07AM by Sam Marsh

Illinois Valley Library Branch in CJ Closing for Renovations from March 3rd until This Fall

The Josephine Community Library District has announced that the Illinois Valley branch in Cave Junction will be closing for renovations early next month. The IV library branch on West Palmer Street will close on Sunday, March 3rd, and the last day of service before the closure will be Saturday, March 2nd. The library branch is expected to reopen to the public in mid- to late-fall of this year. During the library closure, temporary library services will be available at the Illinois Valley Senior Center at 520 East River Street. Services there will include a book drop open Mondays-Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and item pick-up service on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. To take advantage of the weekly pick-up service, patrons can use their library card account to place requests on books and other items through the online catalog at "josephinelibrary.org." Patrons will be notified when requested items are ready. For technical assistance, calls to the IV branch will be forwarded to library staff. The renovated library will include a meeting space with a maximum capacity of 80 people along with a teaching kitchen and dedicated ADA-accessible restroom, an early learning center, outdoor space for library programs and more.

Posted on 2/17/24 6:04AM by Sam Marsh

Two Josephine & Jackson County Deputies Honored for Their Work in Local Schools

Two deputies from the Josephine and Jackson County Sheriff's Offices were honored this week for their work in local schools. Josephine County Sheriff's Deputy Rob Konieczny and Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Travis Cote were recognized by local districts on Thursday, which was "School Resource Officer Appreciation Day." The Three Rivers School District stated that Deputy Konieczny goes above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of its school community. Officials said "his dedication, compassion and commitment to fostering a positive and secure environment makes him an invaluable asset to the district." Deputy Cote works with more than 25 public and private schools in Jackson County much like a school resource officer. As a School Safety Deputy, he also provides important training for staff and students while helping to create safety plans tailored for each school. Thank you Deputy Konieczny and Deputy Cote for your hard work, vigilance, unwavering support, genuine connection to students, and tireless efforts to create a safe space for learning and growth!

Posted on 2/17/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

GP Man Jailed for Allegedly Beating Up Girlfriend at Schutzwohl Lane Home

A Grants Pass man was jailed for allegedly beating up his girlfriend at a home in the Redwood area last night. The Grants Pass Police Department reports 22-year-old Jareth Tate Wallis was arrested for the domestic violence incident in the 1400-block of Schutzwohl Lane on Thursday at 9:30 p.m.. Police said an investigation determined that Wallis caused physical injury to his 21-year-old girlfriend during a physical altercation. They said the suspect impeded the breathing of the victim by choking her. This placed her in fear of serious injury while he kicked and punched her. A witness said the victim also had bite marks. According to the report, Wallis was highly impaired by alcohol during the incident. Jareth Wallis was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Domestic 4th-Degree Assault, Domestic Strangulation and Domestic Menacing. He was being held without bail. The victim -- who refused medical treatment -- was provided with information about the Women's Crisis Support Team.

Posted on 2/16/24 10:45AM by Sam Marsh

Deputy Apprehended Man Wanted on Warrants during BLM Land Encounter

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on two outstanding warrants yesterday following an encounter with a BLM deputy on public land. The Sheriff's Office reports the deputy contacted 45-year-old Jonathan Raymond Pool on BLM land in an unspecified location of the county at 3:50 p.m. Thursday. According to the report, Pool was one of three occupants in a Ford F-150 pickup. Pool was placed into custody when the deputy discovered that he was wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for Probation Violation related to a past arrest for Attempting to Elude Police. He was also wanted on a Medford warrant for Probation Violation related to Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine. Jonathan Pool was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrants. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 2/16/24 10:43AM by Sam Marsh

IV Man Snared on 2 Warrants after Traffic Stop in Downtown Cave Junction

An Illinois Valley man was arrested on two local warrants yesterday after a law enforcement contact in downtown Cave Junction. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over a Chevrolet Equinox driven by 35-year-old Jason Adam Post in the 100-block of South Redwood Highway on Thursday at 10:32 a.m.. Deputies said they stopped Post for an improper display of registration tags when they discovered that he was wanted on a Josephine County warrant carrying an indictment for two counts of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. He was also wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for two counts of DUII. Jason Post was transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail on the warrants. According to the report, a friend was contacted to pick up the car and two dogs.

Posted on 2/16/24 10:42AM by Sam Marsh

Police Incarcerated Man for Causing Disturbance at Grants Pass Hospital

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for causing a ruckus at Three Rivers Medical Center late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance at the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Thursday shortly before 5 p.m.. Police said 39-year-old David Stephen Campbell was in the parking lot of the hospital and he refused to follow commands of security officers to leave the premises. They said he showed signs of strong intoxication and was less than compliant with police officers as well. He was eventually placed into custody. Since Campbell was heavily intoxicated at the time, he was evaluated by hospital staff and cleared for incarceration. David Campbell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Trespass and he was being held without bail.

Posted on 2/16/24 10:40AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Collared City Park Camper on Felony Warrants in Patrol Check

Grants Pass Police apprehended a city park camper on two outstanding felony warrants early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 54-year-old Charles Harry Edward Holland during a patrol check at Lawnridge Park on Thursday at 8:39 a.m.. Police said they contacted Holland while they were posting his campsite to be removed. A routine records check revealed that he was wanted on two out-of-county felony warrants. The agencies that issued the warrants and the charges were not disclosed. After the warrants were confirmed, Charles Holland was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. His tent and belongings were entered into evidence for safekeeping.

Posted on 2/16/24 10:38AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Riddle Man for Traffic Violation after Contact on I-5 in GP

The Oregon State Police arrested a Douglas County motorist for a traffic violation this week after contacting him on Interstate 5 in northeast Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers were dispatched to a disabled Honda Odyssey that was on fire in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 53 on Wednesday. Troopers contacted the passenger who stated the vehicle was on fire, but the fire had been "put out." They said the driver of the vehicle -- 31-year-old Brian Allen Cuny of Riddle -- fled the scene on foot because of a suspended driver's license. Cuny was tracked down by OSP and arrested for Driving While Suspended. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and his damaged vehicle was impounded.

Posted on 2/16/24 10:37AM by Sam Marsh

Rural Metro Touts Opportunities for Prospective Emergency Service Workers

Posted on 2/16/24 9:34AM by Sam Marsh

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