Local News

GP Police Incarcerated Man for Allegedly Beating Up Girlfriend at NE City Home
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for allegedly beating up his girlfriend at a home in the northeast part of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance on NE Foothill Boulevard on Tuesday around 9 a.m.. Police said a 31-year-old male subject and his girlfriend got into a physical fight in the early morning hours when he reportedly shoulder-checked the woman, choked her and threw her around. The frightened victim fled to her mother's residence and called 9-1-1. The victim was not seriously injured and declined medical attention. Upon arrival, officers contacted the suspect and placed him into custody based on the victim's statements and visible injuries. The victim refused services from the Women's Crisis Support Team. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Domestic 4th-Degree Assault and Felony Domestic Strangulation. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 8/7/24 12:40PM by Sam Marsh
 

OSP Snared Central Point Woman for Felony Drug Crime after Highway 199 Stop
The Oregon State Police arrested a Central Point woman for a felony-level drug crime last night following a Redwood Highway traffic stop near Selma. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Toyota Corolla driven by the 31-year-old woman near milepost 18 of US Highway 199 on Tuesday shortly after 10 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the car for traffic violations and the woman admitted to driving with a suspended license and no insurance. They said a plastic bag with a white crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine was clearly visible in an outside pocket of the driver's purse. She admitted the substance was meth. According to OSP, the substance was seized, tested, weighed and submitted to the crime lab which determined it was a criminal amount of narcotics. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was being held without bail and her car was impounded for the moving violations.
Posted on 8/7/24 12:39PM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Man for Parole Violation after He Fled Treatment Center
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating terms of his post-prison supervision after he left a mental health/drug treatment center without permission. According to the Police Department, officers located the 46-year-old male subject and placed him into custody at a market on Willow Lane near Redwood Highway on Tuesday at 7:17 a.m.. Police said the subject had absconded from Options Crisis Resolution Center on SW Ramsey Avenue the night before and they were notified early yesterday. An employee spotted the man in the Redwood area on his way to work and called it in. The suspect's corrections officer was notified and requested his client be arrested. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Parole Violation and was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the man has been arrested four times for violating his parole since February of this year.
Posted on 8/7/24 12:37PM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Nabbed Man on Felony Warrant while Investigating Trespass Call
Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant while investigating a trespassing complaint yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a trespass call on railroad property in the city on Tuesday at 12:47 p.m.. Police said a 38-year-old male subject was one of three men spotted by a passing motorist. They said the men had established an encampment next to the railroad tracks. Upon contact, officers determined the male subject was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for Attempt to Elude Police. He was immediately placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on a no-bail detainer. His belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping. The two other men were trespassed from the railroad property, told to gather up their belongings and leave.
Posted on 8/7/24 12:36PM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Evicted 16 Campers for City Park Ordinance Violations on Tuesday
Grants Pass Police evicted a total of 16 campers for ordinance violations in city parks during patrol checks on Tuesday. At Fruitdale Park, a man was cited for Fentanyl Possession, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Open Space and Illegal Camping, two men were cited for Illegal Camping and Scattering Rubbish, and a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Illegal Camping. All six subjects were trespassed for 30 days. At Debo Park, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Open Space and Scattering Rubbish. Both were issued 30-day exclusions. At Tussing Park, a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space and a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Scattering Rubbish. Both were trespassed for 30 days. At Morrison Centennial Park, a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Staking a Tent, a woman was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Inoperable Vehicle, a man was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Buffer Zone Violation, a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Buffer Zone Violation, and a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space. All five subjects were issued 30-day exclusions. At Riverside Park, a man was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Nuisance Dog. He and his dog were trespassed for 30 days.
Posted on 8/7/24 12:34PM by Sam Marsh
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Two Arrested after Suspected BHO Lab Explosion Destroys Glendale Building
Two men were in custody and authorities were looking for two more people after a suspected butane honey oil (BHO) lab explosion destroyed a building in the Glendale area last weekend. On Saturday at about 9 p.m., detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) investigated a suspicious structure fire that had occurred earlier in the day in the 1400-block of Tunnel Road. The structure fire was initially reported to 9-1-1 at 4:15 p.m. Saturday at which time Glendale Fire responded and prevented the fire from spreading. The 1,500-square-foot general purpose building was a total loss. Nearby residences and the surrounding forest were under threat during the height of the incident. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office also responded and notified DINT that the fire was likely caused by an illegal BHO lab. Detectives obtained a search warrant and found evidence indicating this was a suspected marijuana extraction lab and production facility. Two men -- 38-year-old Christopher Drezek of Glendale and 35-year-old Kendall Jorgensen of Ashland -- were uninjured in the explosion. Two persons of interest fled the scene prior to the arrival of first responders. There were no permits in place allowing the location to be a marijuana production facility of any kind. DINT is actively seeking the whereabouts of the two persons who fled the scene. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Posted on 8/7/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
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IMET Made Big Bust When Detectives Raided Illegal Pot Grow in Sams Valley
The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of Jackson County made a big bust when it raided an illegal cannabis growing operation in the Sams Valley area late last week. Last Friday morning, IMET detectives served a search warrant in the 5900-block of Highway 234. They were assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police. Jackson County Fire District #3 had responded to the same property on April 16th for three large piles of prohibited materials set on fire. During execution of the warrant, approximately 39,000 illegal marijuana plants, $3,000 in cash and two firearms were seized. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling or processing at this location. Seven people were detained with charges referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Jackson County Code Enforcement also responded to the scene and issued a total of $64,000 in fines to the landowner and a known responsible party. Fines were for violations related to solid waste, non-permitted construction of a large pole barn, non-permitted electrical installations and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production. The Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section has issued a Notice of Violation to the responsible party for the unauthorized appropriation of water from Snider Creek. This type of water violation is subject to both criminal and civil penalties. An estimated 1.5 million gallons of water was saved by stopping its use.
Posted on 8/7/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Arrested Man on State Warrant after His Release from Hospital
Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant this week after he was released from Three Rivers Medical Center. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted that the 41-year-old male subject was being released from the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Monday afternoon. Police said the man had been admitted to the hospital for ongoing medical issues. They said he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Felony Assault. Officers responded, placed the suspect into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was being held on a no-bail detainer.
Posted on 8/7/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh
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Authorities Seek Person Who Started Spot Fire at State Park South of CJ
Authorities were looking for a person who started a small fire at Illinois River Forks State Park this week. On Monday evening, the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a reported grass fire at the state park in the 26,900-block of Redwood Highway just south of Cave Junction. IVFD officials said arriving units found a small spot fire that was quickly put out. Once the fire was completely out, firefighters searched the park for the person responsible for starting the fire without success. Anyone with information on the fire is encouraged to call IVFD at (541)-592-2225.
Posted on 8/7/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
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BCC to Consider Referring Veterans Services Levy to November 5th Ballot
The Josephine County Commissioners will consider referring to voters a measure for a five-year local option tax to pay for veteran services during its weekly business session this morning. If approved by the Board, the measure would appear on the November 5th General Election ballot. If approved by voters, it would levy 5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value or $15 annually for a property valued at $300,000. Also on the agenda is a potential advisory question asking voters whether veterans service office operations should be funded by a property tax. In other business, the Board will consider two orders involving administrative policies for the purpose of conducting daily business. One order would set forth policy and procedures regarding the allocation of general fund dollars for county departments. The other would establish policy and procedures regarding the role, purpose and authority of Commissioner Liaisons to department and advisory boards. The Commission is also expected to approve an order authorizing the future sale of county-owned real properties by the Sheriff. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.
Posted on 8/7/24 6:03AM by Sam Marsh
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OR Housing Assistance with 2020 Labor Day Disasters Still Available Through HARP
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In the aftermath of the 2020 Labor Day Disasters, many individuals across the state continue to struggle to get safe housing. On March 25th, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) launched the ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP). This program aims to provide support for homeowners whose homes were damaged or lost, offering help in repairing, rebuilding or replacing their homes. On June 10th, the HARP program expanded its income limits for eligibility, allowing survivors with slightly higher incomes to apply. You may be eligible for assistance through HARP if your residence was damaged during the 2020 disasters, or you were the owner of the property using it as your primary residence. If you think you may qualify for HARP, your first step will be to complete the HARP Eligibility Questionnaire. This questionnaire should take around 15 minutes to complete and it does not require documentation. Your questionnaire will be reviewed and if you meet some of the eligibility requirements, you'll be invited to complete the HARP application. For more information on eligibility, the services HARP may provide and a link to the HARP Eligibility Questionnaire, please visit "re.oregon.gov."
Posted on 8/7/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh
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2024 Josephine County Fair Opens Today with Five-Day Run at Fairgrounds in GP
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It's Day One of the 2024 Josephine County Fair where they will be "Rockin' The Decades" through Sunday. Admission to the Josephine County Fair is free and -- while parking on the grounds is limited -- there is free parking and a shuttle at Rogue Community College. Gates open today at 11 and they close tonight at 11. Daily entertainment includes exhibit halls, a Selfie Fair, Rockin' Rentals, Sea Lion Exhibit, Butterfly Encounter and Kidz Alley. The carnival is open today from 3 to 11 p.m.. In the Barns, fair-goers will find shows featuring swine, goats and sheep as well as equestrian gaming. Entertainers performing on the Evergreen Pavilion Stage today are Ventriloquist Vicki, Big Red Chicken Book Reading, K's N-Line Dancers, "Saucy: A Tribute to the 70s" and "Eagle Eyes: An Eagles Tribute." Local performer Mike Brons will put on a show in the Beer Garden. Catch the Strolling Acts on the Midway. There's plenty to see, experience and eat at this year's summer extravaganza. Don't forget that Fair admission is free! For more information, visit "josephinecountyfairgrounds.com."
Posted on 8/7/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh
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