Local News

A Rural Metro firefighter and "Harley" the dog were reunited this week for the exact same reason they met at the end of November. Around midday Wednesday, Rural Metro Firefighter Elzy responded to a report of a dog stuck in the Applegate River in the New Hope area. Having not learned from his previous mishap, Harley once again found himself stranded on an island in the cold river off Fish Hatchery Road. The dog's owner called in another favor from Rural Metro after his pet become too weak and cold to attempt to swim back across the swift river channel. After being picked up and carried across the river by his favorite firefighter, Harley was once again returned to his owner. The dog was counseled about finding other ways to seek attention in the future.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department joined Santa Claus, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and Rogue River Police Department this week in assisting CASA with its "Giving Tree Project." Flashing lights and Santa could be seen Wednesday afternoon as the caravan moved between Grants Pass business locations, collecting generous donations at the Giving Tree sites. GPPD has made this project an annual tradition of helping the deserving CASA organization. The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocates is to provide specially-trained volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the pursuit of safe and permanent homes. CASA of Josephine County -- founded in 1984 -- is a nonprofit organization responsible for recruiting, training and supporting the work of CASA volunteers. CASA volunteers donate their time to act as independent eyes and ears of the court and speak solely for the best interests of children and youth in the custody of the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, with a special "Thank You" for those who have given to the CASA organization!

 

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has announced its first grant awards via the Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Revitalization (PIER) program, which is part of the ReOregon effort to help areas hardest hit by the 2020 Labor Day disasters. OHCS has awarded more than $1.2 million to the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCanDO), which will use the money for two initiatives in Jackson County. A Revolving Loan Fund will provide low-interest rate loans to increase capital and encourage credit-building to help small businesses in fire-affected areas to launch or expand. A Microenterprise Grant Program will provide flexible funding through an accessible grant program for low- to moderate-income microbusinesses, which are often sole proprietors of businesses that are run from home. Federally funded by the $422 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, PIER provides grants in the disasters' eight most-impacted counties to address unmet infrastructure, planning and economic recovery needs. OHCS PIER also awarded over $500,000 to the Southern Oregon University Small Business Development Center to support IVCanDO's grant and loan beneficiaries with technical assistance, consultation and support services.

 

The Rogue Community College Emergency Services Department has added two new programs to its lineup -- the Advanced Emergency Care Certificate of Completion and the Emergency Services Associate of Applied Science degree. The new RCC programs will provide advanced training for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and people looking to advance their careers in emergency medical services. The Advanced Emergency Care Certificate is a four-term program designed for EMTs with an associate degree or higher. It is focused on appreciating students' prior degrees and experience, streamlining their focus on paramedic care and reducing their time to complete the program. The Emergency Services Associates Degree provides extensive training, starting with EMT certification and progressing to paramedic education. Graduates qualify to sit for the National Registry Paramedic Certification Examination, opening doors to leadership roles in EMS and fire services, and meeting the evolving needs and demands for paramedic providers in this region. For more information on these new programs or other RCC Emergency Service programs, visit "roguecc.edu/emergency services" or call (541)-956-7500.

 

Evergreen Federal Bank has announced a donation of $50,000 to the Asante Foundation to support expansion of The Family House in Grants Pass. The Family House -- which is located near Three Rivers Medical Center -- offers affordable lodging to families traveling for medical care, making it essential for patients seeking treatment. With the recent installation of a linear accelerator at the Helen K. Spears Cancer Center and the launch of a robotics program for advanced surgical procedures, there is an increasing demand for respite lodging. The expansion of The Family House will double its current occupancy and be fully-funded through charitable contributions from the community. Support from the community is crucial for Asante's efforts to expand, improve and transform healthcare in Southern Oregon. Evergreen President/CEO Boyd Elkins said the bank has been a long-time supporter of The Family House. He said their goal is to ease the burdens faced by patients receiving medical care, adding that the home-style facility will continue to be a valuable resource for families in Southern Oregon.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for multiple crimes while investigating car-clouting incidents in the Cloverlawn area early yesterday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 33-year-old Tyler Dewayne Armstrong at the Cloverlawn Market on Wednesday at 7:21 a.m.. Deputies said they responded to at least one report of a male subject attempting to open car doors while he was walking down Walker Road. They said a female caller told dispatchers the man came onto her property and tried to open her car doors. After contacting Armstrong at the neighborhood market, deputies determined he was wanted in connection with a recent burglary incident in which a mini bike was stolen. Deputies located the stolen pit bike and discovered that approximately $500 in damage was done after the suspect removed some vital components. The owner of the mini bike was contacted to come retrieve their vehicle. Armstrong was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1st-Degree Burglary, 1st-Degree Theft and two counts of 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on a California fugitive warrant while investigating the theft of a package off the front porch of a northwest-city home yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested 41-year-old Jeffrey Michael Zink for the incident in the 1500-block of NW Lawnridge Avenue on Wednesday at 3:07 p.m.. Police said they contacted Zink when he matched the description of a male subject who stole a package from a residence. Officers obtained video footage from a ring camera which confirmed that he stole the package. He was also found to be wanted on a Siskiyou County felony warrant for Identity Theft, Resisting Arrest and Drug Possession. During a consent search, Zink was found to be in possession of a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue and a small bag containing a white substance that was later determined to be fentanyl. Those items were seized for destruction. Zink was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the extraditable warrant plus new charges of Meth Possession, Fentanyl Possession and 3rd-Degree Theft. The stolen package was returned to its rightful owner.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested an Illinois Valley woman for violating a court order late yesterday when she got into a fight with the protected party. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 900-block of Waldo Road on Wednesday at about 5:45 p.m.. Deputies said an unidentified person called 9-1-1 to report that 57-year-old Estella Marie Smith showed up at the house and got into a physical fight with a man who had obtained a restraining order against her. The caller was told that deputies were on the way and to stay away from the combatants. Upon arrival, deputies found Smith inside the residence -- but the unidentified man had left the scene. There were no reports of serious injuries. Smith was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged in jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a well-known criminal offender yesterday after he was caught lurking around a city park with what appeared to be a firearm. According to the Police Department, officers responded to reports of a male subject armed with a gun at Riverside Park on Wednesday around 11:45 a.m.. Police said 30-year-old Dustin Michael Fontana was reported to be holding a firearm and causing public alarm at the park. One caller provided a description of the suspect as well as his general location and stated he appeared to be "not all there" mentally. Officers located Fontana across the street from a nearby pre-school where he reached into his waistband and pulled out what appeared to be a gun. He was challenged at gunpoint and dropped the object on the ground. It was determined to be the leg of a wheelchair. Fontana admitted to intentionally causing fear to the public and he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. He was being held without bail.