Local News

GP Trespassing Complaint Led to Apprehension of Man on Total of 10 Warrants
A Grants Pass trespassing complaint led to the apprehension of a man wanted on a total of 10 outstanding warrants yesterday. Grants Pass Police responded to a trespassing call at a home in the 900-block of SW Bridge Street on Wednesday around 1:30 p.m.. Police said a man called 9-1-1 after a male subject identified as 31-year-old Tyler Hopkins showed up at his house extremely intoxicated. The subject refused to leave and fell asleep on a pull-out couch in the living room. The caller thought he should be taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center. Upon arrival, officers discovered that Hopkins was wanted on a total of 10 warrants -- seven out of Klamath County, two out of Clackamas County and one out of Grants Pass. Charges contained in the warrants included 4th-Degree Assault, Harassment, multiple counts of Contempt of Court and failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Hopkins was placed into custody, but he was cited and released to the care of Three Rivers Medical Center due to his very high level of intoxication.
Posted on 10/3/24 11:26AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Apprehended Man Wanted on Local Felony Warrant Early Wednesday
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office apprehended a man wanted on a local felony warrant about four miles west of Grants Pass early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies contacted and then arrested 43-year-old Jeremy James Steggell in the 3800-block of Lower River Road on Wednesday at 1:40 a.m.. No details about the contact were disclosed, but Steggell was placed into custody on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Burglary. Steggell was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on scheduled bail of $10,000.
Posted on 10/3/24 11:24AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Highly Intoxicated Woman during Downtown Welfare Check
Grants Pass Police arrested a heavily intoxicated woman during a downtown welfare check yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to check on a female subject who was sitting on a sidewalk at SW J and 5th streets on Wednesday at 11:46 a.m.. Police said a downtown business owner reported they thought the woman was highly intoxicated as she appeared to be in a trance. The caller said the woman was not responding when she was asked questions. Officers arrived on scene and confirmed the 32-year-old woman was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol. She became combative when they tried to assist her, so they placed her into custody. The woman whom GPPD identified as "Chantal Roseann Haney" was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest. She was being held without bail.
Posted on 10/3/24 11:23AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Incarcerated Man Who Tried to Steal Beer and Jerky from Fred Meyer
Grants Pass Police arrested a man who tried to steal beer and jerky from Fred Meyer last night. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the store on the Grants Pass Parkway on Wednesday at 7:26 p.m.. Police said Fred Meyer loss prevention alerted them to a male subject who stole a six-pack of beer and a large package of beef jerky valued at about $25. The man reportedly began making verbal threats to store security when they confronted him. Upon arrival, officers contacted a man they identified as 29-year-old Manuel Rogelio Segura near the store with the beer and jerky still in his possession. He was placed into custody and the stolen items were returned to the store. Segura was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft and he was being held without bail. He was also trespassed from Fred Meyer.
Posted on 10/3/24 11:21AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Nabbed Two Motorists for DUII after Separate Stops near Merlin and in CJ
The Oregon State Police arrested two motorists for impaired driving last night following separate traffic stops on Lower River Road and in Cave Junction. According to OSP, the first incident occurred on Wednesday at 6:46 p.m. when state troopers pulled over a Kia Optima driven by a 55-year-old man near milepost 12 of Highway 260. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for traffic violations and the driver showed strong signs of impairment. They said the driver refused to participate in sobriety tests, so he was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was nearly three times the legal driving limit. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. Possession of his car was given to one of his passengers. The second incident happened on Wednesday at 11:44 p.m. when troopers pulled over a Dodge Ram pickup driven by a 30-year-old man near the intersection of Kerby Avenue and Lister Street. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for multiple traffic violations and the driver displayed signs of impairment. They said he refused to participate in sobriety tests, so a search warrant was obtained and he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. The suspect was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for DUII and Reckless Driving. His pickup was impounded.
Posted on 10/3/24 11:19AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Trespassed Trio and Confiscated Loose Dog at Downtown Campsite
Grants Pass Police evicted three people and confiscated a dog during a patrol check at the 6th & A Street designated campground on Wednesday. During a patrol check of the designated campground, officers cited a woman for Illegal Camping, a man for Utilization of Open Space and another woman for Scattering Rubbish. All three were trespassed from the campsite for 30 days. An unaltered male pit bull dog was running loose at the campground. It was caught and transported to the Josephine County Animal Shelter. Six campsites were posted and an e-mail was sent to United Community Action Network (UCAN). Several new campers were contacted and added to the call.
Posted on 10/3/24 11:18AM by Sam Marsh
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Applications Being Accepted for Vacant Seat on GP Tourism Advisory Committee
Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Tourism Advisory Committee due to a vacancy. This position expires on March 31, 2025. The goal of the Tourism Advisory Committee is to encourage visitors and residents to engage in community activities while enhancing the positive image of the city through marketing, promotions and destination management. The purpose of the committee is to review and advise the work of the city's Tourism Contractor. This includes reporting findings and recommendations to the Grants Pass City Council as needed. Special qualifications for this position includes members representing river guides, area attractions, realtors, restaurants, the media, marketing and citizens-at-large. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 1st. Applications will be reviewed by the committee on Tuesday, November 5th, and the appointment will be made by the City Council on Wednesday, November 20th.
Posted on 10/3/24 10:09AM by Sam Marsh
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JMET Arrested Suspect during Raid on Illegal Cannabis Grow near Cave Junction
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The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) arrested a suspect while raiding an illegal cannabis growing operation in the Cave Junction area this week. On Tuesday, JMET -- with assistance from Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety -- served a search warrant in the 1,000-block of Holton Creek Road. During execution of the warrant, approximately 20 pounds of processed marijuana and over 70 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. In addition, six bags of psilocybin mushrooms, a large amount of marijuana concentrate, a large amount of mushroom extract, a container of THC gummies and a large amount of cash were also seized as evidence. Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety located multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations on the property. JMET detectives said 42-year-old Ahron Lee Wilson was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Appropriation of Water. He was being held without bail. Detectives said the investigation is ongoing and no further details on the case are being released at this time.
Posted on 10/3/24 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Incarcerated Woman for Attacking Husband in Front of Young Child
Grants Pass Police jailed a woman for attacking her husband in front on their child at a home in the Redwood area this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence on Raydean Drive on Tuesday night. Police said a man called 9-1-1 to report his wife was attacking him, following him and would not leave him alone. The intoxicated caller said they both threw each other to the ground, adding that he was bleeding but did not want an ambulance. According to the report, the couple's 5-year-old child witnessed the altercation. Upon arrival, officers observed the male caller trying to get away from his wife as she was pursuing him and yelling. The woman admitted that her husband was trying to defend himself after she kept coming at him. She was placed into custody. The 34-year-old female suspect was found to be the primary aggressor. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and was being held without bail.
Posted on 10/3/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Snared Pair for Drug Possession after Contact in Walmart Parking Lot
Grants Pass Police arrested two people for drug possession this week following an encounter in the Walmart parking lot. The Police Department reports officers contacted a 31-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman while they were performing a patrol check at the store on NE Terry Lane on Monday night. Police said David Anthony Wong was located on the northeast corner of the property, rummaging through a backpack and taking out items. They said he was surrounded with tin foil with burnt residue and he admitted the residue was from smoking fentanyl. According to the report, Mary Lynn Tognoni arrived on scene and she admitted ownership of the drug paraphernalia items as well. A consent search of both suspects yielded additional drug-related items that were seized for destruction. Wong and Tognoni were both placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Fentanyl Possession. Wong was being held without bail while Tognoni was eventually released.
Posted on 10/3/24 6:19AM by Sam Marsh
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IVFD & ODF Crews Battled Grass Fire Behind USFS Building in Cave Junction
The Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry battled a grass fire in Cave Junction last night. On Wednesday at 8:37 p.m., IVFD and ODF crews were dispatched to a reported vegetation fire in a field behind the US Forest Service building at 336 South Kerby Avenue. Arriving units found the fire to be moving at a moderate spread in the thick brush, so commanders requested another IVFD engine as well as an engine from Rural Metro Fire Department for structure protection at a nearby trailer park. The US Forest Service also assisted suppression efforts with a manned ATV that was equipped with a water pump. The fire was quickly extinguished and mopped up at approximately one acre. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Posted on 10/3/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh
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Alert Citizen Helped Crews Get Jump on Small Fire near New Hope Christian
An alert citizen helped firefighters get the jump on a small fire near New Hope Christian School early yesterday. Rural Metro Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to the fire in the woods behind a home on Hidden Valley Road on Wednesday at 4:27 a.m.. With aid from nearby residents, Rural Metro and ODF crews quickly contained and extinguished the blaze, holding it to just 1/100th of an acre. Officials said the time of day and a quick response were key in keeping the fire small. ODF was investigating the cause of the fire after collecting evidence at the scene and obtaining statements from residents.
Posted on 10/3/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
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