Local News

Grants Pass Police apprehended a local fugitive, cited several campers and evicted all of them during a patrol check at Riverside Park early yesterday.

The Police Department reports 53-year-old Bruce Alan Peterson was determined to be wanted on a Jackson County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Probation Violation related to Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. He was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

Meanwhile, Peterson was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Misuse of Open Space, Ryan Burrows was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Misuse of Open Space, Ashley Strempel was cited for drug possession, John Hanson was cited for Scattering Rubbish and Illegal Camping, and Timothy Teige was cited for Public Urination.

All five subjects were trespassed from the park for 30 days while Peterson's personal belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping. A kitten in his possession was taken to the Animal Shelter.

A total of 11 campsites were posted for Illegal Camping at Riverside Park on Wednesday and an e-mail was sent to the United Community Action Network.

One load of trash containing four soiled and drug paraphernalia-filled tents was taken to Southern Oregon Sanitation for disposal.