Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a felon for breaking into a house just west of Grants Pass this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 40-year-old Dustin Paul Taetz at a home in the 500-block of Country Aire Drive on Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said the homeowner called 9-1-1 to report seeing a male subject on his property through a Ring camera. The caller advised the subject went into the garage and entered the house through an unlocked door. He was concerned due to firearms and other valuables that were secured inside the residence. Upon arrival, deputies contacted Taetz who claimed he was working at a nearby residence and a Chevrolet Blazer on the property was his. However, a family member said no one but his stepmother drives the vehicle and Taetz was not working for her. Taetz was immediately placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-Degree Burglary and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass plus Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for continuing to violate a court order by trying to contact his mother at a west-city residence. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1400-block of SW Bridge Street on Tuesday evening. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that her son -- 35-year-old Anthony Allen Harrell -- was on her front porch knocking loudly on her door. She secured a court order protecting her from her son, but he continues to go to her residence. Officers arrived on scene and arrested Harrell for two counts of Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. Records show he has been jailed several times this year for the same offense, but he keeps returning there after being released. Harrell was once again lodged without bail in the Josephine County Jail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a female transient for refusing to leave Three Rivers Medical Center early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing complaint at the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Wednesday around 5 a.m.. Police said hospital security reported that 65-year-old Shelley Irene West was in the emergency room and refused to leave when asked to do so. They said she had been discharged, but unlawfully remained inside. They wanted her removed. Officers arrived on scene, contacted West and placed her into custody. She was charged with 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. She was also trespassed from the hospital.

 

Grants Pass Police cited a motorist and a pedestrian for violations this week after the driver struck the man while he was jaywalking in the north part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers and emergency crews responded to the incident at the intersection of NE Hillcrest Drive and 6th Street on Tuesday afternoon. Police said an investigation determined that a female motorist they identified only as "Wibbens" was driving a vehicle west on Hillcrest and she struck a pedestrian while crossing 6th. They said she had a green light and the pedestrian did not. Upon arrival, officers found the male pedestrian down in the roadway and bleeding -- but he refused medical transport to the hospital. He was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device. Wibbens was cited for Driving While Suspended and No Insurance. Her vehicle was impounded.

 

Grants Pass Police cited a motorist for multiple violations after he was caught speeding in the Redwood area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a man they identified only as "Dickinson" on Darnielle Lane at Golden Aspen Drive on Wednesday shortly after midnight. Officers said Dickinson was driving at an estimated 80 miles per hour when they first spotted him traveling west on Redwood Avenue at Dowell Road. According to the report, Dickinson was cited for Careless Driving, No Insurance, and Illegal Mudguards. He was also warned for Speeding.

 

Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed February to be "Tsunami and Earthquake Awareness Month" in Oregon. In the past, Oregon has suffered considerable damage from moderate earthquake events such as the 1993 Scotts Mills and Klamath Falls earthquakes as well as a deadly tsunami that originated in Alaska in 1964. Scientific evidence indicates that the State of Oregon is at risk for a much larger event associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone that is expected to generate strong ground shaking and a destructive tsunami, similar to the event that took place in northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. Loss of life and property is minimized by natural hazard mitigation planning and grant funding at the state and local levels, which reduce the impact of disasters through risk assessment and mitigation actions -- such as seismic strengthening of existing buildings and public education on local tsunami evacuation routes. As a result, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management within its role as chair of the Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team, which will be working with member agencies, federal partners, local jurisdiction and neighboring states to highlight jurisdictional earthquake and tsunami mitigation strategies and provide education and information about individual preparedness for Oregon residents and visitors throughout the month of February and beyond.

 

Under a court-imposed deadline, the Grants Pass City Council last night selected two locations in the downtown area for temporary campsites for unhoused people. In a 6-to-1 vote, the City Council approved a resolution adopting 712 NE 7th Street and the lot at the corner of 6th and A streets as allowable locations for public camping. Campers will be allowed to stay at each site for 96 hours with no time restrictions. The vote came after a lengthy and sometimes contentious debate between Council members as well as public testimony that made it clear that the other sites under consideration were unacceptable. The resolution approved by the Council must convince Josephine County Circuit Court Judge Brandon S. Thueson that the City is creating additional time and places for homeless camping. Earlier this week, Thueson extended a 14-day restraining order against enforcing public camping restrictions until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 27th. Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic and Mayor Clint Scherf advised the Council that if the resolution is not acceptable to the judge, he could make the restraining order an injunction that would run the duration of the current lawsuit: possibly two or three years without any regulations on public camping.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners tackled a lengthy agenda during its weekly business session on Wednesday. The Board made eight decisions on a total of 11 items it considered under Administrative Actions. No action was taken by the Board on a proposed letter of support and commitment to Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council for a grant to improve fish passage on Cheney Creek by building a new $4 million bridge. No general fund dollars were at stake from the 10% matching grant, but no motion was made. The Commissioners approved orders for the annual sale of surplus vehicles from the Public Works Department and confirmed the November 14, 2024, Sheriff's Property Sale while authorizing the distribution of $807,000 in proceeds. Also unanimously approved were orders suspending the acceptance of mineral exploration permits and mining leases for one year, establishing the Josephine County Voluntary Resignation Program and canceling next week's business session due to a lack of a quorum. Two resolutions were approved regarding the resetting of appointments and terms for the Josephine County Budget Committee and the Illinois Valley Airport Advisory Committee.

 

The nomination period for the 2025 cohort of Southern Oregon's Top 10 Emerging Leaders is drawing to a close. This initiative honors individuals 40 and under -- including students -- who are making significant contributions to our community through their professional achievements and community efforts. Emerging Leaders is dedicated to recognizing and supporting young professionals and students who are committed to make Southern Oregon a better and safer place to live. Through leadership development and community engagement, the organization fosters the growth of future leaders in the region. Sharre Whitson, Emerging Leaders Committee Representative, said the program is more than just an award -- it's a prestigious recognition that opens doors to greater opportunities. She said "even being nominated for this distinguished honor is a testament to one's leadership, impact and dedication to bettering our community." To nominate a deserving individual, please visit "emergingleadersgive.com" and complete the nomination form. The deadline for submissions is fast approaching. For more information, you can e-mail "top10soleaders@gmail.com."