Local News

Two separate crashes approximately 30 minutes apart on the Highland Avenue overpass sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries early yesterday. Both crashes mobilized a combination of rescue units from Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response. Rural Metro officials said the second crash resulted in the vehicle rolling over. Initial reports indicated one occupant was trapped inside their vehicle, but they were able to self-extricate. Officials said icy conditions on the overpass in northwest Grants Pass contributed to both crashes. Motorists are reminded that during cold weather, overpasses and bridges are highly susceptible to ice buildup due to cold air passing underneath. These hazardous morning conditions may persist for several more days.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is set to tackle a busy agenda for its weekly business session this morning. The Board will first hold two public hearings on the second readings of ordinances that would amend the Josephine County Code relating to parks and repeal a chapter of the Code related to Urban Growth Area Water Quality. Under Administrative Actions, the Commission will consider approval of two ODOT-delivered federally-funded projects on Fruitdale Drive and Takilma Road as well as an Arbor Day Foundation grant agreement for the Rum Creek Fire Rehabilitation Project. In other business, the Board is scheduled to consider sale, lease and easement agreements that will complete the purchase of The Flying Lark by River Valley Community Church. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board will consider an order setting a future public hearing for fee changes for Community Development and the Surveyor. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Nearly 4,200 customers of Pacific Power in the Redwood area of Grants Pass will have their electricity shut off for eight hours on Thursday night. Pacific Power has advised 4,177 of its local customers that their electricity will be turned off from 10 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday in order to maintain some equipment in the 1700-block of Kellenbeck Avenue. Officials with the electric utility company said their priority is delivering reliable power you can count on. To keep their system in top condition, they announced the planned power interruption earlier this week. The company said they know power interruptions are never convenient and they greatly appreciate the patience of affected residents. Some work can only be safely performed when the lines are de-energized and crews will take all steps possible to minimize the length of the interruption. As a precaution, affected residents should unplug any sensitive electronic devices and equipment during the interruption. If you have any questions, contact Pacific Power at 1-(888)-221-7070.

 

Applications are still being accepted for one position on the Grants Pass Historical Buildings & Sites Commission (HBSC), but time is running out to apply. The HBSC's purpose is to review proposed alterations to any historic district or designated structure in the Grants Pass urban growth boundary, to promote the community's historic preservation, to advise other interested agencies on matters related to historic preservation, and to identify areas of archaeological significance and buildings of historic or archaeological significance. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the City of Grants Pass. This position is for a representative who owns a business within the Historic District of the city. 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. this Friday, December 6th.

 

Healthy meals for kids in Grants Pass, wildfire resilience education, and expanded services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. These are just a few of the projects and programs in Southern Oregon receiving a $540,000 boost from the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) this fall. The statewide funder has distributed 26 new grants in Southern Oregon to support capacity building, small capital and new or expanding projects by nonprofits. The announcement came on Giving Tuesday, an international day of generosity that follows Thanksgiving. Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley is receiving $25,000 to renovate the kitchen at the Grants Pass location. The Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative of Jacksonville is receiving $20,000 to expand wildfire resilience education and outreach programming. Other local OCF grant recipients include Josephine Community Library District and Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners is set to tackle a busy agenda for its weekly business session tomorrow. The Board will first hold two public hearings on the second readings of ordinances that would amend the Josephine County Code relating to parks and repeal a chapter of the Code related to Urban Growth Area Water Quality. Under Administrative Actions, the Commission will consider approval of two ODOT-delivered federally-funded projects on Fruitdale Drive and Takilma Road as well as an Arbor Day Foundation grant agreement for the Rum Creek Fire Rehabilitation Project. In other business, the Board is scheduled to consider sale, lease and easement agreements that will complete the purchase of The Flying Lark by River Valley Community Church. As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board will consider an order setting a future public hearing for fee changes for Community Development and the Surveyor. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for breaking into Lewis Power Equipment and stealing a brand new log splitter early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 40-year-old Tom Curtis Milstead at Redwood Mini Storage on Monday at 8:23 p.m.. Police said they were initially alerted to the theft of a Brave log splitter valued at more than $2,500 from Lewis Power Equipment on Monday morning. The store manager had video surveillance of a spray-painted Subaru Impreza inside the shop yard. The suspect cut the locked gate, hooked up the log splitter to his vehicle and drove away. About 12 hours later, several callers reported the Subaru parked at Redwood Mini Storage with the log splitter attached to it. One of the callers identified the suspect as Milstead and advised that he often stays inside a storage unit. Officers responded and identified the wood splitter by its serial number. A Lewis Power Equipment employee arrived on scene and picked up the stolen splitter. Milstead eventually admitted to cutting the locked gate and stealing the wood splitter. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail pending his courtroom arraignment at 1:30 p.m. today.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a local felon for stealing packages off the front porch of a residence on the west side of the city yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to the theft complaint in the 1600-block of Webster Road on Monday around 3:45 p.m.. There was video surveillance of the incident. Police said they watched the video and observed 48-year-old Dustin Troy Thatcher swipe two Amazon packages off the porch, depriving the victim of property valued at more than $54. They said the suspect then went into the restroom at Reinhart Volunteer Park and opened both packages. Upon realizing that he had stolen a phone case and hair gel, Thatcher returned the items and was confronted by the victim. Officers tracked him down and placed him into custody near Bi-Mart. His bicycle was logged into evidence for safekeeping. Thatcher was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft plus the resulting Felony Parole Violation. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a local man on four outstanding warrants yesterday while investigating a trespassing complaint at the downtown Safeway store. The Police Department reports officers responded to the trespassing call involving 38-year-old Kelcey Edwin Cummings at the supermarket on SE 7th Street at about 2:20 p.m. Monday. Police said they arrived on scene and spotted Cummings who took off running. He was known from previous law enforcement encounters. He was also known to be wanted on four Grants Pass misdemeanor warrants containing criminal allegations including two counts each of 2nd-Degree Theft, 3rd-Degree Theft, Escape and Criminal Trespass plus a single count of Methamphetamine Possession. Officers tracked down Cummings and placed him into custody at the SE J Street campground. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and was being held on $70,000 bail.