Local News

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to two crashes within 30 minutes late yesterday. On Monday at 4:43 p.m., IVFD, American Medical Response and the Oregon State Police were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision in the 18,000-block of Redwood Highway near Selma. IVFD officials said one patient was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Jerry's Towing removed the vehicles from the highway. OSP was investigating the cause of the crash. On Monday at 5:13 p.m., IVFD, OSP and the Oregon Department of Transportation responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 24,300-block of US Highway 199 in Kerby. This time, no injuries were reported. Traffic control from ODOT was utilized to keep the highway open. Jerry's Towing assisted in removing at least one of the vehicles. The scene was turned over to OSP for investigation.

 

The Grants Pass City Hall complex is getting a new roof and temporary fencing has been erected around those buildings. Public access to City Hall and the City Council Chambers will be somewhat restricted, especially in the parking lot between City Hall and the Josephine County Courthouse. Except for a few limited closures, the best option for parking is on A Street adjacent to City Hall between 5th and 6th streets. The City Hall roofing project is scheduled to be finished in late August. As the project continues, the contractor will need to alter the fencing layout and access points. The City plans to issue updates for significant changes to this layout.

 

The Josephine County Fair Board has rescheduled its monthly meeting to Monday, April 21st, at 6 p.m. in the Floral Building. The change is due to conflicting schedules and the Easter holiday. The normally scheduled third Tuesday of the month will resume in May. All Fair Board meetings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend to stay informed and involved in the Josephine County Fairgrounds. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Recreation Director Tamra Martin at (541)-476-3215.

 

The Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE) team arrested two people while making a large narcotics bust in the Eagle Point area late last week. Last Thursday, MADGE detectives served a search warrant at a residence on Ponderosa Way following a two-month investigation into cocaine distribution. The investigation was initiated after multiple community complaints were received. During execution of the warrant, investigators seized more than 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms including "ghost guns", approximately $48,000 in cash, four vehicles and one motorcycle. Two residents were placed into custody and lodged at the Jackson County Jail. Fifty-five-year-old Ulysses Timothy Chappel, III, was charged with Unlawful Manufacture, Possession and Delivery of Cocaine as well as Felon in Possession of a Firearm, while 52-year-old Stacy Lyn Cramer was also charged with Unlawful Manufacture, Possession and Delivery of Cocaine. The MADGE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts and dismantles local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven and prosecutor-supported approach.

 

The Grants Pass City Council is exploring the possible privatization of Caveman Pool. During the Monday workshop session, Parks Superintendent Josh Hopkins gave an update on potential renovations to the city-owned municipal pool located near the campus of Grants Pass High School. Hopkins reminded the Council that a Caveman Pool Committee was appointed in May 2023 and the committee came up with a $6.5 million proposal to renovate the facility in September 2024. However in January of this year, the newly-seated City Council voted to halt the project and redistribute the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to improving public safety communications. Hopkins presented a new plan to renovate Caveman Pool at a total cost of just over $1.5 million, but it was not well-received by members of the Council. Councilor Kathleen Krohn floated the idea of transferring ownership of the pool to the Grants Pass School District or Grants Pass Family YMCA. It was decided that City Manager Aaron Cubic will reach out to the school district and YMCA to see if they might be interested in taking over the municipal pool.

 

Britt Music & Arts Festival is sharing some exciting announcements with the community regarding this summer's events. The time has come for Britt to release its final official list of shows for the 2025 season. This installment brings the summer season to 37 shows including 29 Britt "Live" concerts and eight Britt Festival Orchestra performances. Tickets for most Britt concerts are already on sale to the general public including shows featuring Natasha Bedingfield, Wynonna Judd, Andy Grammer, Taj Mahal, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Chicago. The Britt Education Department is also sharing its summer schedule of free kids concerts. This year's roster offers a dynamic mix of artists and musical styles, with shows available in both Jackson and Josephine counties. As part of its work to expand its reach, several Britt Kids Concerts will be held at Riverside Park in Grants Pass. For more information on all concerts and tickets, please visit "brittfest.org."

 

The Grants Pass Police Department apprehended a homicide suspect on Sunday at a boat landing on the Rogue River. The Police Department reports detectives arrested 30-year-old James Dale Ross at Robertson Bridge Boat Landing at 3:48 p.m. yesterday. Police said a man who was with Ross called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers that Ross wanted to speak with law enforcement, but he was unsure on how to go about it. The caller would not tell dispatchers where they were and added that the suspect has mental health issues. According to the report, the suspect's location was determined by the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center. Detectives located Ross in a sport utility vehicle parked at the boat landing and they placed him into custody without incident. Ross was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of 2nd-Degree Murder and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was being held without bail. So far, no details about the alleged homicide have been released by GPPD.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman on a local felony warrant during a weekend patrol check in the northwest corner of the city. According to the Police Department, officers contacted three people -- including 35-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Roddy -- in a vehicle parked near the corner of NW Highland Avenue and Vine Street on Friday shortly after 9 p.m.. Police said they arrested Roddy when they discovered that she was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Probation Violation related to an arrest for drug possession. They said she was also found to be in possession of a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine residue. Roddy was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Meth Possession. She was being held on a no-bail detainer. Roddy's companions -- identified by police as "Jessica Green" and "Bridget Carroll" -- were ordered to move the vehicle.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman for throwing rocks at vehicles near Rogue Community College. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and the Oregon State Police responded to the incident near the corner of Demaray and College drives on Saturday around 10:25 p.m.. Deputies said callers reported a female subject wearing a dark hoodie and jeans was throwing rocks at moving cars. They said one vehicle was hit with rocks on its hood, windshield and door where a child was sitting. No one was injured. Upon arrival, deputies and state troopers located 46-year-old Robin Lea Dunham and placed her into custody. Dunham was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief. She was being held without bail.