Local News

Grants Pass Police evicted a total of 16 campers for ordinance violations in city parks during patrol checks on Tuesday. At Fruitdale Park, a man was cited for Fentanyl Possession, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Open Space and Illegal Camping, two men were cited for Illegal Camping and Scattering Rubbish, and a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Illegal Camping. All six subjects were trespassed for 30 days. At Debo Park, a man and woman were cited for Misuse of Open Space and Scattering Rubbish. Both were issued 30-day exclusions. At Tussing Park, a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space and a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Scattering Rubbish. Both were trespassed for 30 days. At Morrison Centennial Park, a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Staking a Tent, a woman was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Inoperable Vehicle, a man was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Buffer Zone Violation, a woman was cited for Misuse of Open Space and Buffer Zone Violation, and a man was cited for Misuse of Open Space. All five subjects were issued 30-day exclusions. At Riverside Park, a man was cited for Public Consumption of Alcohol and Nuisance Dog. He and his dog were trespassed for 30 days.

 

Two men were in custody and authorities were looking for two more people after a suspected butane honey oil (BHO) lab explosion destroyed a building in the Glendale area last weekend. On Saturday at about 9 p.m., detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) investigated a suspicious structure fire that had occurred earlier in the day in the 1400-block of Tunnel Road. The structure fire was initially reported to 9-1-1 at 4:15 p.m. Saturday at which time Glendale Fire responded and prevented the fire from spreading. The 1,500-square-foot general purpose building was a total loss. Nearby residences and the surrounding forest were under threat during the height of the incident. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office also responded and notified DINT that the fire was likely caused by an illegal BHO lab. Detectives obtained a search warrant and found evidence indicating this was a suspected marijuana extraction lab and production facility. Two men -- 38-year-old Christopher Drezek of Glendale and 35-year-old Kendall Jorgensen of Ashland -- were uninjured in the explosion. Two persons of interest fled the scene prior to the arrival of first responders. There were no permits in place allowing the location to be a marijuana production facility of any kind. DINT is actively seeking the whereabouts of the two persons who fled the scene. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.

 

The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of Jackson County made a big bust when it raided an illegal cannabis growing operation in the Sams Valley area late last week. Last Friday morning, IMET detectives served a search warrant in the 5900-block of Highway 234. They were assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police. Jackson County Fire District #3 had responded to the same property on April 16th for three large piles of prohibited materials set on fire. During execution of the warrant, approximately 39,000 illegal marijuana plants, $3,000 in cash and two firearms were seized. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling or processing at this location. Seven people were detained with charges referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Jackson County Code Enforcement also responded to the scene and issued a total of $64,000 in fines to the landowner and a known responsible party. Fines were for violations related to solid waste, non-permitted construction of a large pole barn, non-permitted electrical installations and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production. The Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section has issued a Notice of Violation to the responsible party for the unauthorized appropriation of water from Snider Creek. This type of water violation is subject to both criminal and civil penalties. An estimated 1.5 million gallons of water was saved by stopping its use.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant this week after he was released from Three Rivers Medical Center. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted that the 41-year-old male subject was being released from the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Monday afternoon. Police said the man had been admitted to the hospital for ongoing medical issues. They said he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Felony Assault. Officers responded, placed the suspect into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

Authorities were looking for a person who started a small fire at Illinois River Forks State Park this week. On Monday evening, the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a reported grass fire at the state park in the 26,900-block of Redwood Highway just south of Cave Junction. IVFD officials said arriving units found a small spot fire that was quickly put out. Once the fire was completely out, firefighters searched the park for the person responsible for starting the fire without success. Anyone with information on the fire is encouraged to call IVFD at (541)-592-2225.

 

The Josephine County Commissioners will consider referring to voters a measure for a five-year local option tax to pay for veteran services during its weekly business session this morning. If approved by the Board, the measure would appear on the November 5th General Election ballot. If approved by voters, it would levy 5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value or $15 annually for a property valued at $300,000. Also on the agenda is a potential advisory question asking voters whether veterans service office operations should be funded by a property tax. In other business, the Board will consider two orders involving administrative policies for the purpose of conducting daily business. One order would set forth policy and procedures regarding the allocation of general fund dollars for county departments. The other would establish policy and procedures regarding the role, purpose and authority of Commissioner Liaisons to department and advisory boards. The Commission is also expected to approve an order authorizing the future sale of county-owned real properties by the Sheriff. Today's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

In the aftermath of the 2020 Labor Day Disasters, many individuals across the state continue to struggle to get safe housing. On March 25th, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) launched the ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP). This program aims to provide support for homeowners whose homes were damaged or lost, offering help in repairing, rebuilding or replacing their homes. On June 10th, the HARP program expanded its income limits for eligibility, allowing survivors with slightly higher incomes to apply. You may be eligible for assistance through HARP if your residence was damaged during the 2020 disasters, or you were the owner of the property using it as your primary residence. If you think you may qualify for HARP, your first step will be to complete the HARP Eligibility Questionnaire. This questionnaire should take around 15 minutes to complete and it does not require documentation. Your questionnaire will be reviewed and if you meet some of the eligibility requirements, you'll be invited to complete the HARP application. For more information on eligibility, the services HARP may provide and a link to the HARP Eligibility Questionnaire, please visit "re.oregon.gov."

 

It's Day One of the 2024 Josephine County Fair where they will be "Rockin' The Decades" through Sunday. Admission to the Josephine County Fair is free and -- while parking on the grounds is limited -- there is free parking and a shuttle at Rogue Community College. Gates open today at 11 and they close tonight at 11. Daily entertainment includes exhibit halls, a Selfie Fair, Rockin' Rentals, Sea Lion Exhibit, Butterfly Encounter and Kidz Alley. The carnival is open today from 3 to 11 p.m.. In the Barns, fair-goers will find shows featuring swine, goats and sheep as well as equestrian gaming. Entertainers performing on the Evergreen Pavilion Stage today are Ventriloquist Vicki, Big Red Chicken Book Reading, K's N-Line Dancers, "Saucy: A Tribute to the 70s" and "Eagle Eyes: An Eagles Tribute." Local performer Mike Brons will put on a show in the Beer Garden. Catch the Strolling Acts on the Midway. There's plenty to see, experience and eat at this year's summer extravaganza. Don't forget that Fair admission is free! For more information, visit "josephinecountyfairgrounds.com."

 

Josephine Community Library invites families to a bilingual storytime featuring the Takelma language at the Grants Pass branch this week. The storytime is part of the Summer Reading Program and it's being held Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the library branch located at 200 NW C Street. An educational representative from the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians will read from the original Takelma Language Primer children's book series during this program. The primer is a six-part series written by the Tribe featuring themes including animals, places, colors, numbers, plants and activities. The mission of the Takelma language program is to unite the Cow Creek Tribal Community & Families by making the language available to all tribal members in order to strengthen cultural identity. The Summer Reading Program and related events are offered at no cost to participants. A library card is not needed to take part. For more information about the 2024 Summer Reading Program and related events, visit "josephinelibrary.org."