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Two People Hurt after Two Subarus Collided on Merlin Road near Carton Way

Two people were hurt after two Subarus collided head-on in the Merlin area late yesterday. On Thursday at 4:16 p.m., Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the two-vehicle crash on Merlin Road near Carton Way. Rural Metro and AMR crews found both vehicles off the roadway, with one of them rolled over. A number of passersby had stopped to provide assistance with keeping the vehicle on its side from rolling onto its top. An off-duty firefighter from Medford Fire-Rescue was also on scene tending to the medical needs of the occupants. Two of the occupants were transported by AMR to Three Rivers Medical Center with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was investigating the cause of the crash.

Posted on 8/30/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

Officials Ask Residents to be Very Careful with Activities that Could Start Fires

With hot and dry weather in the forecast through most of Labor Day Weekend, authorities are asking residents to be extremely careful with any activity that could lead to a human-caused fire. Both Grants Pass and Medford recorded high temperatures of 100 degrees on Thursday. Fire officials said the benefits of the cooler and wetter weather from last week have disappeared. Early September generally centered around Labor Day has become recognized as a period when large, fast-moving wildfires have erupted across Southern Oregon and the rest of the state. The September 2020 wildfires devastated multiple areas. Rural Metro Fire Department reminds residents of the Hugo Road Fire in 2018 as well as the Slater Fire, South Obenchain Fire and Almeda Fire in 2020.

Posted on 8/30/24 6:14AM by Sam Marsh

Public Health Officials Investigating Outbreak of E. Coli Illness in Josephine County

Josephine County Public Health is investigating several local cases of E. coli including one case that is likely responsible for a young girl's death. Experts are looking into the source of the E. coli infections and at this time do not believe the exposure is linked to any local business, park or recreational body of water. Health officials said E. coli is a common bacterium, although some strains can cause serious disease. They said the local cases are of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, which can cause diarrhea and other symptoms. Most infected people get watery or bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps within one to 10 days of exposure to the bacteria. Most infected people get better on their own within five to seven days. However, some get a more severe illness that damages their kidneys. It is most common in young children and the elderly. Trusted sources confirm a 5-year-old Grants Pass girl who was about to start school as a kindergartner died this week of complications from an E. coli infection at Oregon Health Sciences University hospital in Portland. Her 2-year-old brother became very ill last weekend and is still being treated at OHSU. Call your health care provider if you think you or a family member might be ill with E. coli.

Posted on 8/30/24 6:02AM by Sam Marsh

Oregon Health Authority Reports Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes Found in Jackson County

The Oregon Health Authority, Jackson County Vector Control and Jackson County Public Health have confirmed the identification of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the Rogue Valley -- the first time the mosquito species has been found in Oregon. Jackson County Vector Control identified the Aedes aegypti mosquito as part of its routine surveillance program, which monitors different mosquito populations in the county and tests for diseases such as West Nile virus and Western equine encephalitis that are common to the Culex mosquito genus. Mosquito surveillance provides Vector Control the ability to determine human risk and implement strategies to control these insects and prevent the spread of disease. This species of mosquito most likely originated in Africa and have been transported globally to other parts of the world. Emilio DeBess, state public veterinarian based at OHA's Public Health Division, said Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are a concern in the United States because they can carry and transmit various diseases that can have serious health consequences such as Zika virus. DeBess said there have been no reports of anyone having acquired viruses from these mosquitoes within Oregon.

Posted on 8/30/24 6:00AM by Sam Marsh

Pacific Power Foundation Gives Grants to Support Local Education & STEM Programs

The Pacific Power Foundation is pleased to provide over $240,000 in grant awards to nonprofits and community organizations in Oregon, Washington and California. Through this funding, the foundation seeks to create opportunities both now and in the future by investing in programs that empower and support young people through education and skill development for an ever-changing world. In Josephine County, three grants were awarded to 71Five to enhance education and workforce success through the VoTech program for 75 priority older youth, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley to support programs that help with project-based activities for youth, and Project Youth+ to support summer STEM programs that offer academic, vocational and recreational experiences. In Jackson County, five grants were awarded to 71Five, Beyond the Fence, the ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, the City of Butte Falls and the Rogue Valley Family YMCA.

Posted on 8/30/24 5:57AM by Sam Marsh

Sheriff's Office Seeking Public Help in Locating Missing Illinois Valley Woman

UPDATE: MISSING PERSON HAS BEEN FOUND.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating a missing Illinois Valley woman. According to the Sheriff's Office, 32-year-old Breawna Turner was reported missing by a friend. She was last seen or heard from on August 9th while in the Cave Junction area. She last resided in Takilma. Turner has been known to frequent the Grants Pass, Merlin and Murphy areas. Breawna is described as a white female adult, 5-feet-1-inch tall and 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She reportedly does not have a phone or vehicle associated with her. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Breawna Turner is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123.

Posted on 8/29/24 2:45PM by Sam Marsh

Josephine County Public Health Investigating Local Outbreak of E. Coli Illness

Posted on 8/29/24 1:13PM by Sam Marsh

Jo Co Community Corrections Client Jailed after Pulling Hair of Parole Officer

A Josephine County Community Corrections client was jailed after she tried to assault her parole officer yesterday. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested a 59-year-old female subject in the 200-block of Redwood Highway on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.. Police said the subject's corrections officer was transporting the woman to a mental health evaluation when the woman grabbed her by the hair and tugged on it. The officer reported her client was not being cooperative and requested police respond to assist. Upon arrival, officers placed the subject into custody. At least one witness saw the incident and reported it to the Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and the resulting Felony Parole Violation. She was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the woman had also been arrested for Parole Violation on August 17th.

Posted on 8/29/24 11:14AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Woman for Returning to Park Just Days after Being Evicted

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for returning to a city park just two days after she had been trespassed from the facility. The Police Department reports officers contacted the 47-year-old female subject at Westholm Park on Wednesday at 7:23 a.m.. Police said the subject they identified as "Rose Marie McLaughlin" had been issued a 30-day exclusion from the park on Monday, but she had returned. She was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Criminal Trespass plus Felony Parole Violation. She was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show McLaughlin has been arrested for Parole Violation 10 times since August of last year. According to the report, McLaughlin was caring for a cat that belonged to another camper. The calico feline was transported to the Josephine County Animal Shelter.

Posted on 8/29/24 11:13AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Entering and Vandalizing Downtown Restaurant

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for unlawfully entering and vandalizing a downtown restaurant yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the incident at Pong Sri's Thai Restaurant on NE E Street on Wednesday around 12:35 p.m.. Police said a 28-year-old male subject they identified as "Richard David Kirman" was impaired by alcohol when he attempted to enter the side kitchen door of the restaurant. Staff told officers that the man was aggressive and belligerent with them before they locked him out of the business. Kirman reportedly left through the restaurant's garden and knocked over several sections of metal fence on his way out. Kirman was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and 3rd-Degree Criminal Mischief.

Posted on 8/29/24 11:11AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man on Local Warrant after Welfare Check on SW Bridge

With some difficulty, Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding warrant while performing a welfare check on the west side of the city yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a call from a 31-year-old male subject in the 900-block of SW Bridge Street on Wednesday at 3:50 p.m.. Police said the man called 9-1-1 to report that he drank too much, his heart was beating fast and he did not know where he was. Dispatchers said the man was slurring his words and not making a lot of sense. They were able to determine his location and sent that information to law enforcement. Upon arrival, officers contacted the subject and discovered that he was wanted on a local warrant for an unspecified crime. The man was taken by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation. He was resistant and hostile, which required him to be restrained during transport. Hospital staff were advised to notify GPPD once he was medically cleared.

Posted on 8/29/24 11:09AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass Police Arrested Suspect for Stealing Merchandise from Walmart

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing merchandise from Walmart on Wednesday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting call at the store on NE Terry Lane shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday. Police said a 39-year-old male subject concealed about $167 worth of Walmart items and walked past all points of sale without making any attempt to pay for them. He was detained by loss prevention and held until officers arrived on scene. The suspect was placed into custody and transported to the nearby jail facility where he was booked for 2nd-Degree Theft. His belongings were left with his fiancee.

Posted on 8/29/24 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

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