Local News

OSP Arrested California Trucker for DUII after Interstate 5 Crash in East GP
The Oregon State Police arrested a California trucker for impaired driving after he crashed into another commercial vehicle on Interstate 5 in Grants Pass and caused a traffic backup late yesterday. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 55 on Monday at 5:19 p.m.. Troopers said a witness reported a white Volvo semi-truck speeding and failing to maintain its travel lane before crashing into a white Kenworth semi while trying to pass it on a curve of the freeway. Both commercial vehicles and their trailers were towed into town, but not before southbound I-5 traffic was backed up for miles. According to OSP, the driver of the Volvo semi -- identified as a 52-year-old man from Union City, California -- displayed signs of impairment and then performed poorly in field sobriety tests. He was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was more than twice the legal driving limit. The suspect driver was lodged at the Sobering Center for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. The company he drives for was alerted about the incident.
Posted on 7/2/24 11:03AM by Sam Marsh
 

OSP Nabbed Two Motorists for DUII within 30 Minutes on Redwood Highway
The Oregon State Police arrested two motorists for impaired driving in less than a half-hour on Redwood Highway in the Illinois Valley last weekend. According to OSP, the first incident occurred on Sunday at 1:11 a.m. when troopers pulled over a Toyota Corolla driven by a 35-year-old Cave Junction man on US Highway 199 near milepost 27. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. He was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a positive breath sample, so he was lodged there for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. His car was parked and secured. The second incident happened 29 minutes later when troopers pulled over a Dodge Durango driven by a 25-year-old man on Highway 199 near milepost 21 just outside Selma. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for traffic violations and the driver showed signs of impairment. He performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was placed into custody. He was lodged at the Grants Pass Sobering Center for DUII and Reckless Driving. His vehicle was also parked and secured.
Posted on 7/2/24 11:00AM by Sam Marsh
 

Troopers Arrested 4 People on Outstanding Warrants in Josephine County
The Oregon State Police arrested four people wanted on outstanding warrants in Josephine County last weekend. OSP reports the first incident occurred on Saturday at 4:29 p.m. when troopers contacted a 36-year-old Medford woman walking along Redwood Highway near milepost 11. They discovered that she was wanted on an active arrest warrant for Probation Violation. She was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail. The second incident happened on Saturday at 9:34 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Toyota Tacoma occupied by a 33-year-old Grants Pass man near the corner of Merlin Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road. They said the passenger was not using a seatbelt and they learned he was wanted on a Josephine County bench warrant for failing to appear in court. He was lodged in jail. The third incident took place on Sunday at 12:56 a.m. when troopers pulled over a vehicle driven by a 56-year-old Kerby man at the intersection of US Highway 199 and Finch Road. He was discovered to be wanted on a misdemeanor warrant for 3rd-Degree Sex Abuse. He was cited to appear in court and then released. The fourth incident occurred on Sunday at 5:40 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Chevrolet pickup driven by a 59-year-old Westfir man. They said he was stopped for several traffic violations and was found to have a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail on the warrant as well as multiple traffic violations. His truck, animals and belongings were left with his passenger at his request.
Posted on 7/2/24 10:59AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Felon for Unlawfully Entering Vehicle on Highland Avenue
Grants Pass Police arrested a felon for unlawfully entering a parked vehicle in the northwest part of the city early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the car-clouting incident in the 1800-block of NW Highland Avenue on Monday at about 4 a.m.. Police said the 44-year-old male subject opened the passenger door to an unlocked Dodge Caravan, looking for a cigarette lighter and other valuables. The auto alarm sounded and he attempted to flee, but was observed by the homeowner. Officers located the subject at the Highland Market and he eventually admitted his involvement in the criminal offense. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and the resulting Parole Violation stemming from past convictions for Burglary and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail. Jail records show the man has been arrested 10 times for Parole and Probation violations since July 15th of last year.
Posted on 7/2/24 10:58AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Nabbed Man for Causing Disturbance in Downtown Historic District
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for causing a disturbance in the downtown historic district late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident in the 100-block of SW G Street on Monday at about 4:35 p.m.. Police said a 30-year-old male subject went to Sandi's Candies and kicked the window of the store with sufficient force to startle the three occupants. The window was not broken. The subject then knocked over the sign for the frozen treats store next door and threw their chair into the middle of G Street. Officers searched the area and found the culprit at the downtown Safeway store a short time later. He initially refused to identify himself, so he was taken to the Josephine County Jail where he was fingerprinted and positively identified. The suspect was lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 7/2/24 10:56AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Police Incarcerated Man Who Climbed Downtown Redwood Tree
Grants Pass Police arrested a man who climbed to the top of a Redwood tree in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew were dispatched to the incident in the 300-block of SE I Street on Monday at 9:06 a.m.. Police said a 40-year-old male subject climbed the Redwood tree and was at least 50 feet off the ground, causing significant public alarm. The law enforcement and fire response blocked traffic while several citizens and business owners gathered in the area. A ladder truck was used to remove the man from the tree. He admitted to drinking alcohol and showed other signs of impairment consistent with the use of a narcotic stimulant. The tree-climbing suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 7/2/24 10:54AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Jailed Woman for Firing Shots at Occupied Vehicle on New Hope Road
The Grants Pass Police Department jailed a woman for firing shots at two people sitting in a vehicle in the south part of the city last weekend. On Sunday at 7:52 p.m., Grants Pass police officers and an Oregon State trooper responded to a "shots fired" call in the 2500-block of New Hope Road. Police said a man and his girlfriend drove to the home of his ex-girlfriend that she shares with their two children. When they arrived, 34-year-old Netacha Ann Vance was sitting in the driver's seat of his 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. When he asked her to give him the vehicle, she brandished a semi-automatic handgun and fired four to five rounds at him, his girlfriend and the 2002 Toyota RAV-4 they were sitting in. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. However, the car was struck by bullets resulting in damage of over $1,000. Grants Pass Major Crimes Unit detectives arrived on scene and placed Netacha Nance into custody. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two counts of 2nd-Degree Attempted Murder. Additional charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Reckless Endangering and 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief were referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration. Anyone with information on the shooting is encouraged to contact the GPPD Major Crimes Unit at (541)-450-6260.
Posted on 7/2/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Jailed North Valley Man for Domestic Violence at Hugo Road Residence
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a North Valley man for a domestic violence incident in the Hugo area last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested the 35-year-old male subject for the incident in the 6300-block of Hugo Road on Sunday at 3:09 p.m.. Deputies said a preliminary investigation indicates there was an argument between the man and his wife that escalated when he allegedly struck her in the head. They said the wife attempted to call 9-1-1, but the husband held her down and took her phone. She was able to take her phone back before leaving the incident location. According to the report, there were children present during the altercation and their grandmother was able to get them and take them away from the scene. The family lives in a recreational vehicle on the rural property. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties and documented the evidence that led them to place the husband into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted 4th-Degree Assault and Interfering with Making a Police Report. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 7/2/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Police Incarcerated Man for Vandalizing Vehicle at Spalding Pond
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for vandalizing a vehicle on the east side of the city early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the incident in the 2200-block of NE Spalding Avenue on Monday at 12:36 a.m.. Police said a group of juveniles were fishing at the Spalding pond when a man came out of nowhere, told them they were trespassing and yelled at them to leave before he punched out a window on their vehicle. He also reportedly threw a rock, but no one was hurt. The vehicle's owner was contacted and she estimated it would cost at least $500 to repair the window. She wanted to press charges and the man was arrested. The 57-year-old suspect admitted to punching and breaking the window. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and was being held without bail.
Posted on 7/2/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh
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Rural Metro Starts Week with Three Fires: One in Murphy & Two in Hugo Area
Rural Metro Fire Department had a very busy start to the week with three fires -- one in Murphy and two in the Hugo area. Rural Metro responded to a reported fire at a commercial property in the 6700-block of Williams Highway on Monday at 11:37 a.m.. Crews chased smoldering sawdust through the facility's duct work. It took nearly three hours to coordinate with the property owner and staff to empty the hopper's contents safely as aerated dust can become very flammable. There was no damage to the structure. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it was likely associated with heat generated from the blower units or other sawdust handling equipment. Rural Metro, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a fast-moving fire in grass and brush in the 200-block of Bummer Creek Road on Monday at 12:23 p.m.. Using a coordinated attack from the three agencies -- both on the ground and in the air -- the fire was contained and the extinguished at just under three acres. There were no injuries reported or structures damaged. ODF was investigating the cause of the fire. Rural Metro and ODF responded to a second fire in the Hugo area on Monday at 5:26 p.m. -- this one in the 600-block of Three Pines Road. The small wildfire was quickly extinguished. ODF was investigating. Officials said there is currently no indication that the two fires were related.
Posted on 7/2/24 6:11AM by Sam Marsh
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Firefighters Extinguished Monday Afternoon Grass Fire at IV River Forks Park
The Illinois Valley Fire District mobilized against a grass fire at a state park south of Cave Junction late yesterday. On Monday at 4:36 p.m., IVFD and the Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to the blaze at Illinois River Forks State Park. IVFD officials said units arrived at the park to find an active grass fire, which was extinguished and mopped up. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Posted on 7/2/24 6:10AM by Sam Marsh
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Rural Metro Fire Offers Reminders & Safety Tips for Upcoming Hot Weather
Rural Metro Fire Department wants to be sure local residents are ready to go this week as hot temperatures and dry weather will pose a challenge to the community. Rural Metro officials passed along several reminders and safety tips as hot weather invades the region starting on Thursday. Avoid any activity that might cause a spark and start a fire. Use only legal fireworks in safe locations on Independence Day, with water readily available. Take protective action with pets that might be frightened by the sounds of fireworks. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid any unnecessary outdoor activity if you are susceptible to heat-related illness. Do not leave pets or children unattended in a vehicle under any circumstances. Check on elderly family and friends that live alone to make sure they stay cool and comfortable.
Posted on 7/2/24 6:09AM by Sam Marsh
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