Local News

A caller reported a man causing a disturbance at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and NE Agness Avenue early this morning.

The suspect, Richard Koep, was running and stumbling out in the roadway around 12:05 a.m. He was reportedly threatening to kill drivers and shoot officers if law enforcement was contacted.

The caller reported Koep "jumped out of a ditch like Superman" in front of her vehicle, causing her to swerve to avoid striking him. He ran up to her vehicle as she was contacting law enforcement and threatened to kill her if 911 was called. No weapons were seen on his person.

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies observed Koep along NE F Street and detained him after he fell down in the roadway. GPPD officers were then able to identify Koep via officer recognition and his missing toe per prior jail bookings, and detained him.

Koep was taken into custody and lodged for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct in the Josephine County Jail.

 

A tenant reported homeless people were trespassing on a property in the 500 block of NW A Street.

The suspects were reportedly going through people's mail and rummaging through the trash. Two had left and headed back towards a nearby camp before officers with the Grants Pass Police Department arrived.

Officers contacted a suspect, Kristopher Young, and found he was wanted on two separate warrants charging him with Possession of Meth and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Young's identity was confirmed and he was taken into custody. Officers transported and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail on his warrants.

 

The Oregon State Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 73.5 Friday morning.

A white tractor-trailer was parked on the shoulder due to a vehicle-related issue. A brown Honda passenger car traveling southbound entered a left curve and failed to maintain its lane, causing the driver to lose control and collide with the underside of the stationary semi-trailer.

After impact, the Honda spun across both lanes of travel and came to rest in the center median. The driver then drove the vehicle to the shoulder for safety. The Honda sustained heavy rear-end damage and was towed by AllStar Towing.

The driver was transported with suspected minor injuries. The semitrailer sustained minor damage and was able to leave the scene.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a trespass request Sunday afternoon.

Deputies arrived at 102 S Redwood Highway around 3:42 p.m. The manager of the business said she thought she still had a valid trespass letter. She requested that anyone loitering be trespassed.

A new trespass letter was emailed to her, and deputies contacted a suspect, Joseph Ainsworth, trespassing at the lot. He was found to have a warrant out for his arrest for First Degree Arson.

He was taken into custody and lodged for his warrant in the Josephine County Jail.

 

The 911 dispatch center was called by a man saying he was being surveyed by the FBI early Sunday morning.

At 3:30 a.m., the suspect said he was traveling in a bus until it broke down. He was put up in the Best Western at 111 NE Agness Avenue where he was making the call. He requested contact to make a report for FBI subjects allegedly harassing and stalking him.

While on the line, it was determined the caller, Ali Cross, had a non-extraditable warrant out of Virginia for Assault, and a notice of caution from Washington for violent tendencies and assault on law enforcement.

Cross was agitated and began cussing. The call ended but he came back on the line still cussing and telling dispatch to send police or he was going to continue calling. He then hung up again.

A third call from Cross came through, where he said he wanted to fill out a complaint with the FBI. He was warned for his misuse of 911, and when he called back, he wanted to know if police were on their way, saying he was illegally being harassed by the FBI and Federal Informants.

Upon calling again, Cross was warned for misuse. He said he would keep calling and didn't care if he was warned for misusing 911. He was warned again, but he kept cussing and yelling at dispatch asking if police were en-route.

Cross continued to call 911. An employee of the hotel was heard in the background trying to quiet Cross down so he wouldn't disturb guests. Grants Pass Police did respond to the scene where they then detained Cross, trespassed him from the hotel, and took him into custody.

Cross was transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for six counts of Improper Use of 911, as well as Second Degree Disorderly Conduct.

 

The holidays can be a challenging time for people with substance use disorders, and the Oregon Health Authority has tips to help make the season safer and brighter.

OHA encourages planning ahead by preparing for potential triggers. Schedule healthy activities and avoid social situations that could lead to substance use.

Set boundaries and practice declining substances with a trusted friend. Maintaining connections with support groups and engaging in self-care can help as well. Always be prepared and familiar with your recovery plan and have a backup should challenges arise.

OHA reminds those struggling that help is always available. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org, call the Alcohol and Drug Helpline at 800-923-4357, go to FindSupport.gov, or FindTreatment.gov.

To learn more, visit oregon.gov/oha.

 

On Saturday, firefighters arrived on the scene of a fully involved structure in the 3600 block of Leland Road, west of Sunny Valley around 4:10 p.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the structure appeared unoccupied. No injuries were reported.

Rural Metro Fire was assisted at the scene and with move-up coverage by units from Grants Pass Fire, AMR-Josephine County, Illinois Valley Fire District, Applegate Fire District, Jackson County Fire District #1, Oregon State Fire Marshal, and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a dispute between a landlord and their tenant early Thursday morning.

The tenant told dispatch their landlord, Boyd Swan, was outside the property in the 300 block of Cheney Creek Road. Swan was reportedly beating on the door and had turned off the power.

The tenant said he was living in the shed, and that Swan had broken windows of the property. He continued to tell dispatch that he was "done" and wanted the landlord arrested. He was advised though that, at that time, the situation didn't meet callout criteria.

The tenant stated he was in fear for his safety, and was advised to call back if the situation escalated, but to stay inside until a deputy could contact him.

Law enforcement arrived and detained Swan. After investigating the matter, it was determined the tenant and landlord were in a feud after their dogs got into a fight on the property days prior.

Since then, according to the police report, Swan attempted to get the tenant off the property through fear and intimidation by throwing a brick through the tenant's window and boarding up the front door knowing the tenant was inside.

Swan was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Probation Violation, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, and Felony Attempt to Commit a Crime.

 

The Bureau of Land Management will close the gate on Bear Camp Road, located near Galice, on Monday, December 22.

The gate, which is closed annually for public safety due to the hazards of driving in winter weather, will remain closed until snow conditions allow for safe passage in the spring. Travelers are advised to use Highway 199 as an alternate route.

Bear Camp Road, which is managed by both the BLM and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, is a remote, mountainous route that connects the Rogue Valley to coastal areas. It is not plowed during the winter, and weather conditions can often change quickly, making road conditions hazardous.

The BLM and the RRSNF remind the public that it is crucial to Know Before You Go this time of year.

Be prepared by bringing additional warm clothing, water, and extra food to account for unexpectedly longer travel times. Carry chains, a flashlight, and proper attire to install the chains, should the need arise, and know that many routes and back country roads do not have cell service. Always let someone know your expected travel route.

In addition to paper maps, before you leave, download all of your public lands maps on Avenza, and know where you are at all times. Cell service is NOT necessary to use Avenza. You can also find District Maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps online.