Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for a violent and alcohol-fueled outburst that occurred at a city park late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident at Morrison Centennial Park on Rogue River Highway on Wednesday at about 5 p.m.. Police said a 41-year-old male subject was reported to be causing fear and public alarm by slamming his head into the pavement and screaming. They said he was visibly intoxicated and had a can of alcoholic beverage in his hand upon contact. According to the report, the man was detained at the side of a patrol car for a search when he began slamming his head into the vehicle, causing a large dent. The suspect remained uncooperative at the Josephine County Jail where he was placed in a smock, restraint chair and spit hood. He was eventually lodged without bail for Disorderly Conduct and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" yesterday for causing yet another disturbance -- this time in the north part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to multiple reports of a female subject running into traffic on NE 6th Street at about 1:35 p.m. Wednesday. Police said witnesses reported the 34-year-old woman was jumping in and out of the street, screaming at passing motorists, flipping them off and throwing items at them. She was with a male companion who was not reported to be acting out. Responding officers located the woman across the street at the Chamber of Commerce, recognized her from several recent contacts and placed her into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and she was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after she crashed into another vehicle in the Allen Creek Shopping Center late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the fender-bender in the parking lot outside Albertsons on Wednesday around 5:45 p.m.. Police said the 59-year-old woman was driving a Subaru Forester when the wreck occurred. They said she backed into a Toyota Prius and attempted to leave, but several people were able to keep her from fleeing. The woman also tried to switch places with her female passenger, but witnesses confirmed that she was the driver. Responding officers contacted the woman and observed signs of impairment such as slurred speech, poor balance and the odor of alcohol. She refused to provide a breath sample, so a search warrant was obtained and she was taken to Three Rivers Medical center for a legal blood draw. She eventually admitted to drinking alcohol. The suspect was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Driving. She was also cited to appear in court for the breath test refusal. Her vehicle was parked and secured.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley man for shooting at his neighbor this week as part of an ongoing dispute over growing marijuana in the Selma area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the disturbance in the 100-block of Hogue Drive late Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said a man at that address called 9-1-1 to report that his 47-year-old male neighbor took a shot at him while they were in a verbal dispute over a marijuana grow. The caller advised the man shot at his legs, but the bullet hit the ground and he was not hurt. He didn't have any weapons and secured himself inside his house. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties, located a bullet casing in the yard and placed the suspect into custody. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted 1st-Degree Assault, Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Menacing. He was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving as well as an outstanding warrant this week after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in Selma. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Nissan Sentra driven by a 41-year-old man near milepost 20 of US Highway 199 around midday Tuesday. Troopers said they stopped the car for traffic violations and discovered the driver was wanted on an active felony warrant for Parole Violation. They observed signs of impairment and placed him into custody. User amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl were uncovered during a consent search of his vehicle. The driver performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Josephine County Jail for a drug evaluation which turned up positive for narcotics. The suspect was lodged on the no-bail warrant as well as for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Controlled Substances. His vehicle was secured by friends who arrived at the traffic stop location.

 

Jackson County emergency units rescued an elderly man who became stranded in the Rogue River earlier this week. On Tuesday afternoon, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Search & Rescue and the Rogue River Fire Department responded to the incident in the river near the City of Rogue River. Marine deputies said the 81-year-old man's boat became disabled on the Rogue just below Evans Creek. After checking on the man's welfare, deputies assisted him in returning the boat back upriver and loading it onto his trailer. As the weather warms, sheriff's officials remind boaters to include life jackets and safety equipment. They also said to check vessels thoroughly before launching and stay safe.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished yet another illegal open debris burn this week. On Tuesday night, IVFD crews responded to the fire on North Sawyer Avenue in Cave Junction. It was one of many the agency has responded to this spring. IVFD officials said the property owner was not only burning illegal material, they were also doing so at night. All outdoor fires should be fully out by sunset. Firefighters put out the blaze and cited the property owner.

 

The Rogue River City Council will tackle a variety of topics when it convenes for its monthly meeting this evening. Under New Business, the City Council will consider a park use request from the Rogue River Greenway Foundation for the 2024 Ride the Rogue event. The panel will also decide whether to provide local government recommendations to the OLCC for changes in ownership at Li'l Pantry Market & Deli and Bacci's Pizza. There is also a utility connection request to connect water and sewer to two lots outside the city limits at 1488 and 1496 East Evans Creek Road. In other business, the City Council will consider a resolution adopting a volunteer policy for the City of Rogue River, an ordinance updating city firearm regulations to comply with current Oregon law, an ordinance updating adult business rules to comply with state law, an ordinance granting an electric utility franchise and general easement to Pacificorp, and an ordinance establishing regulations for mobile vending and food truck sites. The Council is also scheduled to approve a lease agreement with the Rogue River Chamber of Commerce as well as approve annual membership with the Chamber. Tonight's meeting gets underway at 6 at Rogue River City Hall, 133 Broadway Street.

 

As the Grants Pass community prepares for the influx of visitors for the annual Boatnik Festival this weekend, US Cellular is equipped to accommodate the spike in demand for wireless access around Riverside Park. Since many attendees will be relying on their smartphones to stay connected with family and friends, US Cellular has brought in a Cell on Light Truck -- also referred to as a COLT -- to increase wireless capacity during the festival. The COLT provides added network capacity for the increased data usage and to support the large volume of additional phone calls and texts from attendees. Boatnik is an annual festival held over Memorial Day Weekend in Grants Pass for more than 60 years. Admission is free and the festival offers many activities and shows for all ages. Additional activities are available for purchase including the Davis Shows Carnival, Friday Night Concert and Boatnik Brewfest. All proceeds from the event are donated by the Grants Pass Active Club through the year to children and youth-based organizations in Josephine County. For more information and the complete Boatnik schedule, visit "boatnik.com"