Local News

The Grants Pass Parks Department is conducting regular playground inspections to ensure safety and functionality. Recently, parks staff identified a malfunctioning component on the teeter-totter at Reinhart Volunteer Park. Swift action allowed the department to get a replacement part from the local playground manufacturer, restoring this feature for children. Staff have been working hard to cut tall grass and manage blackberry growth in undeveloped areas across the city parks system. They've also pruned trees to enhance clearance around trails and parking areas. A commitment to consistent irrigation repairs ensures optimal park conditions. As the City of Grants Pass prepares for the upcoming swimming season, the parks team is diligently working on Caveman Pool. Tasks have included repainting the shallow end of the pool and installing a refurbished ADA lift along with new electronic components. The public swimming pool is expected to open next Monday.

 

The State Library of Oregon has awarded a $50,000 grant to Josephine Community Library District to support its new computer basics program that will benefit residents throughout the county. The state grant will fund the program from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. It will pay for a digital outreach specialist who will manage the program. The Computer Basics Program will offer computer and internet skills classes, provide one-on-one technology assistance for library patrons, and reach out to the community at-large about technology access and digital skills available through the library branches in Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Williams and Wolf Creek. While the library will focus on reaching out to seniors, Spanish speakers and those with lower incomes, the classes and individual assistance are available to all who are interested. It will expand beyond the library facilities by partnering with WorkSource Rogue Valley to offer more opportunities for people wanting to learn more about computers. The program kicks off with assessment and planning in July. Classes will start later this summer. They will be free and open to anyone interested. Library cards are not required for participation.

 

A forest closure order that prohibits long-term camping and/or occupancy within the boundaries of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest was recently signed by Acting Forest Supervisor Dan Quinones. The order prohibits occupancy for more than 14 consecutive days in one location and more than 28 calendar days annually. All developed campgrounds and dispersed camping sites -- including fee and non-fee sites -- are included. The closure is in effect through June 5th, 2026, unless rescinded sooner. Supervisor Quinones said the Forest has communicated the proposed stay limit with external stakeholders including local county commissioners, community and tribal leaders. He said they have expressed support for the two-week stay limit. Long-term public use for camping purposes has increased in recent years. Since the stay-home executive order issued by former Oregon Governor Kate Brown in March 2020, this increased use has intensified. Long-term camping at high-use sites and in general forest areas is limiting opportunities for fair and equitable use of forest lands by other campers and forest users.

 

Marine law enforcement from around the state are learning and perfecting their drift boating skills on the Rogue River this week. The Oregon State Marine Board reports the students will be learning to swim in whitewater, practicing rescue techniques, navigating Class 3 rapids, and operating in remote environments with drift boats, rafts and catarafts. Eddie Persichetti, Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for the Marine Board, said running whitewater takes training and practice. He said the best way to learn is hands-on experience on a dynamic waterway such as the Rogue River with experienced instructors. The skills the officers gain give them a strong foundation in their law enforcement roles when they return to their patrol areas. Recreational boaters can expect to see law enforcement students drifting on the Upper Rogue from Rogue Elk Park to TouVelle Park in Jackson County from today through Thursday. They will be on the Middle Rogue from Ennis Riffle to Argo Canyon in Josephine County on Friday.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office corralled a couple of local fugitives on outstanding warrants over the weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports the first incident occurred on Friday at 9:18 p.m. when deputies arrested a 30-year-old man in the 300-block of Redwood Highway right in front of Affordable Truck & RV in Grants Pass. Deputies said they spotted the man driving a vehicle and knew that his driving privileges had been suspended. He was also wanted on a Josephine County warrant for Probation Violation and one of the conditions was for him not to drive without a license. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and his vehicle was towed. The second incident happened on Saturday at 2:42 p.m. when deputies arrested a 37-year-old woman in the 100-block of South Hussey Avenue in Cave Junction. Deputies said the woman was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Theft. She was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested at least four people for attempting to steal from Walmart during the first half of the weekend. The Police Department reports the first incident occurred on Friday afternoon when officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the store on NE Terry Lane. Police said a 43-year-old man passed all points of purchase with more than $295 worth of Walmart merchandise. They said the man made no attempt to pay for the items and he was detained by loss prevention. Officers placed him into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. The second incident happened on Saturday morning when a 41-year-old woman was detained for trying to steal more than $227 worth of items from Walmart. She was placed into custody and -- when she was escorted to a patrol vehicle -- she fell down and claimed a medical emergency. After being cleared by doctors at Three Rivers Medical Center, she was lodged in jail for 2nd-Degree Theft. The third incident took place on Saturday evening when two 21-year-old women stole around $34 worth of items from Walmart by skip-scanning. They were seen committing the crime by loss prevention and detained. Because they cooperated with the investigation, both women were cited for 3rd-Degree Theft and released.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested two juveniles for throwing rocks at and damaging vehicles on Redwood Highway near Wilderville late last week. According to OSP, troopers responded to multiple reports on Thursday and Friday of two boys throwing large and small rocks at vehicles in the 10,800-block of US Highway 199. Troopers said they were able to locate the two young suspects with the help of driver and witness statements. Both admitted to throwing rocks and hitting passing vehicles. One of those vehicles was an OSP patrol car. The victimized drivers included a 50-year-old Central Point man, a 68-year-old O'Brien man, a Medford man and a state trooper. Combined damages to the vehicles was well over $1,000. A 14-year-old Grants Pass boy and a 14-year-old Wilderville boy were charged with Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct and Reckless Endangering. They were cited to appear in court and released to their parents.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trespassing at a local church and refusing to leave over the weekend. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a trespassing call at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on NE 9th Street on Saturday shortly after 11 a.m.. Police said they contacted the 41-year-old man on church property. They said he was told by church security to leave about 30 times prior to their arrival and he refused. Officers told him to leave multiple times as well and when security advised they wanted to pursue charges, he was placed into custody at Taser point. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving during a weekend welfare check at a downtown convenience store. According to the Police Department, officers responded to multiple reports of a male subject hunched over in the driver's seat of a gray Nissan Pathfinder parked at or near 7-Eleven in the 700-block of SW 6th Street on Saturday at about 6:30 p.m.. Police said they contacted the 56-year-old man and he demonstrated numerous indicators of impairment. The suspect admitted to driving to the store and he performed poorly in field sobriety tests. He also provided a breath sample that was more than twice the legal driving limit. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. His vehicle was parked and secured at 7-Eleven.