Local News

A man blocking the slow lane of Interstate 5 near milepost 65 southbound with a stolen vehicle was apprehended by Oregon State Police.

Troopers responded Sunday around 12:11 p.m. to the hazard silver Dodge Caravan after reports of the vehicle being stopped on the roadway. The driver of the Dodge had walked away and left the vehicle unattended.

The license plate was obtained and returned as having been stolen out of Douglas County. Troopers were soon able to contact the driver, identifying him as Timothy Vernon. His driving privileges were revoked at the misdemeanor level.

Vernon admitted to taking the Dodge from his mother early that morning. Troopers were then advised that the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was investigating a theft of $800 from Vernon's mother, and that he was the alleged suspect.

The Sheriff's Office requested any cash found on Vernon's person or in the vehicle be seized as evidence. Troopers took Vernon into custody, and he complained of pain before being checked by medical personnel at the hospital.

He was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving While Suspended.

 

Art Along the Rogue is on its way, and the opportunity for vendors to apply and be a part of the event is now.

This year’s theme is “Reflections,” and the application portal for pop-up vendors has opened at www.grantspassoregon.gov. There will be a separate application period for food truck vendors in the coming weeks, according to the city website.

Art Along the Rogue happens on 5th Street between G and I streets, and H Street between 4th and 6th streets in historic downtown Grants Pass.

The Owl parking lot is undergoing renovation and is turning the venue into a curbless plaza with sunshades and seating areas. Art Along the Rogue will be the first city-sponsored event to utilize the updated space.

 

Ashland Police officers arrested a heavily-armed California transient trespassing inside a vacant home he later set ablaze in the 100 block of Church Street Saturday. Law enforcement contacted the suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Fedish Llewellyn Ford. He was armed with an axe and refused to come outside. He stated he was additionally armed with firearms and explosives, and that the only way he would vacate the property was if fatal force was used. He also told officers he would use the explosives to set the residence on fire if removed. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team members and negotiators were requested at the scene, and a search warrant was granted. Because of the ongoing threats to use explosives to set the house on fire, members of the SWAT team initiated contact with Ford at approximately 5 p.m. Ford then used accelerants to set the house on fire, and exited onto the roof of the house. SWAT team members used a ladder to contact him and take him into custody. Ford sustained significant burn injuries, and is being treated at an area hospital.

 

Medford Police officers arrested a gunman responsible for shooting a teenager at the intersection of Crater Lake Avenue and Stevens Street Sunday around 2:21 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male with a single gunshot wound to the neck. Officers immediately began providing aid until personnel from Mercy Flights and Medford Fire Department arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries is expected to recover. During a search of the area, officers located the suspect, Phoenix Wood, 21, in the Providence parking garage. He was taken into custody without incident. The firearm was also recovered. The MPD Criminal Investigations Division (CID) was notified, and a detective responded to lead the investigation. The investigation determined Wood and the victim did not know each other and became involved in an argument. During the confrontation, Wood produced a handgun and struck the victim with it. While doing so, the firearm discharged, striking the victim in the neck.

 

A motorcyclist was airlifted by Mercy Flights to a Medford-area trauma hospital Sunday at 6:08 p.m. after a crash in the area of Peavine Road near Rich Gulch.

Due to the rider's poor cell phone connection with Grants Pass 911, an initial response was delayed. This reportedly prompted the rider to discharge a firearm to summon the attention of others in the party.

Rescue crews from Rural Metro Fire and AMR arrived and extracted and transported the injured rider from a ravine to a landing zone at Morrison's Rogue River Lodge.

 

Rural Metro Fire and Grants Pass Fire contained two fires Saturday afternoon on different ends of the Mid Rogue Fire District.

An unattended open burn spread to half an acre of brush and trees in the 200 block of Becky Springs Drive at 5:15 p.m. Dispatch was alerted to the fire by a passersby on Fish Hatchery Road at Southside Road.

The caller observed the flames on the steep hillside. Rural Metro crews from the Williams Highway and Wilderville stations arrived and were able to knock down the blaze.

Shortly thereafter, a heat lamp ignited a chicken coop in the 4000 block of Foothill Boulevard. A Grants Pass Fire crew from the Parkway Station reported to the scene around 5:39 p.m.

The coop was found to be fully involved, with the fire having spread into one tree. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters confirmed eight chicks did not survive the blaze.

Fire crews remind the public that, even on approved burn days, be sure to only burn approved materials, clear a barrier down to bare dirt around the pile to prevent flames from spreading, and remain in attendance. When using heat lamps for livestock, be sure they are well secured and far enough away from flammable bedding materials.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman behind Rogue Roasters for Resisting Arrest and Methamphetamine Possession early this morning.

During a proactive stop around 5 a.m., an officer located the suspect, Carrie Wood, behind the 610 SW 6th Street preparing a syringe. When law enforcement attempted to detain Wood and take her into custody, she proceeded to walk away.

Wood locked up, pulled away, and resisted being hand cuffed by the officer, but was eventually taken into custody. Her syringe field tested positive for the presumptive presence of meth.

The officer transported Wood to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for Meth Possession, and a charge of Resisting Arrest.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will meet for their workshop, followed then by a special meeting Monday at 11:45 a.m.

The council will hear a Business Retention and Expansion report followed by the City Manager evaluation process. Other workshop agenda items include a presentation on the Urban Renewal Grant program regarding vandalism, a Beacon Hill Park Discussion, and Federal legislative earmarks.

The workshop will adjourn following an agenda review with Bikeways and Walkways Committee motions, and the appointing of the Small Business Task Force Council liaison.

A special meeting will convene directly afterwards, with council considering an ordinance terminating a city utility easement in the Champion Park Subdivision. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter an agreement with the Visitors Association will follow.

The meeting will adjourn following a Project Advisory Committee motion, and minute approval.

Monday's workshop will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street, and can be streamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

 

A man skateboarding in a pool was arrested on three warrants by Josephine County Sheriff's deputies.

Three male suspects were reported skateboarding in a pool behind a restaurant in the 400 block of S Redwood Highway at 6:21 p.m. Deputies arrived and contacted the men, but one of them refused to identify himself.

Robert Smith's identity was confirmed, and he was found to be wanted on three Grants Pass Police Department warrants. Deputies took Smith into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for his original charge of Second Degree Trespassing, and two Meth Possession charges.