Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a young man on an outstanding warrant at Tussing Park last night. According to the Police Department, officers contacted the 20-year-old man at the city park on West Park Street on Wednesday around 7:20 p.m.. Police said they recognized the male subject from several prior law enforcement contacts and a records check showed that he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Disorderly Conduct. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. While at Tussing Park, officers warned one person for tent spikes and another person for smoking in their tent.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested one camper on an outstanding warrant, cited several more for ordinance violations and evicted a total of six during park patrol checks on Wednesday. At Riverside Park, officers arrested a 47-year-old woman for trespassing and a narcotics violation. She had been trespassed from the park on April 8th and was still there yesterday. She was also found to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe that was seized for destruction and then lodged at the Josephine County Jail. At Baker Park, one woman was cited for Illegal Camping and Improper Utilization of Open Space while another woman was cited for drug possession. Both were trespassed from the park for 30 days. At Tussing Park, a man and woman were cited for Buffer Zone Violation and Scattering Rubbish. Both were issued 30-day park exclusions. At Morrison Centennial Park, a man was cited for Scattering Rubbish and he was trespassed from the facility for 30 days. A total of 81 campsites were posted in the four parks and an e-mail was sent to the United Community Action Network (UCAN).

 

The Oregon State Police trespassed a man from an Interstate 5 rest stop in the North Valley area early yesterday. According to OSP, troopers responded to a trespassing complaint at the south Manzanita Rest Area on Wednesday at 8:49 a.m.. Troopers said rest area workers requested the 60-year-old man be trespassed from the rest area due to a camping violation. He was excluded from the facility for three days per the employees' request. The rest area camper advised OSP that he wanted to go to the hospital because he was unable to walk, so an ambulance transported him to Three Rivers Medical Center for an evaluation. Troopers contacted the Oregon Department of Human Services' Elder Division Hotline regarding the homeless man's situation.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man on five felony-level charges this week, but has so far not provided any explanation for the arrest. Josephine County Jail records show deputies arrested the 30-year-old man early Tuesday morning. He was booked into jail at 6:26 a.m.. Charges filed against the suspect included two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, plus single counts of 1st-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Burglary and 1st-Degree Theft. He was being without bail. The Sheriff's Office regularly omits serious crime arrests in its Daily Log. The agency failed to produce any daily logs over the past few days even though jail records show arrests were made by local deputies. Dispatchers reported the lack of a press log over the last several days was due to "some database software issues."

 

Grants Pass Police arrested three people for their outlandish behavior in three separate incidents on the same day this week. According to the Police Department, the first incident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday at Radio Design Group on NW E Street. Police said a 57-year-old man was acting in a violent manner while trying to push open the door to the business. His actions caused an employee to be in fear, so they called 9-1-1 for assistance. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. The second incident happened shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday when officers were alerted to a woman disturbing multiple businesses on Redwood Highway. Police said the 34-year-old woman's behavior was the reason for eight calls for service in a short period of time. She was reported to be threatening to kill people and yelling obscenities while causing public alarm. She also kicked and hit doors. The suspect was lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct. The third incident took place at 11:36 a.m. Tuesday when officers responded to a disturbance near the corner of NW 6th Street and Hillcrest Drive. Police said a 38-year-old man was throwing rocks at traffic and struck a vehicle on the passenger-side door. He was also said to be lunging at passing cars. The suspect was lodged in jail for Disorderly Conduct and his belongings were placed in safe-keeping.

 

Investigators believe egg incubators may be the cause of a fire that destroyed a home in the Applegate Valley earlier this week. On Monday afternoon, the Applegate Valley Fire District responded to a reported structure fire on Slagle Creek Road. Prior to arrival, the lead engine upgraded the response to a second alarm based on the smoke observed from about a mile away from the incident location. It brought in additional resources from Rural Metro Fire Department and the Williams Rural Fire Protection District. Upon arrival, crews reported a single-family residential structure that was fully-involved with flames. Fortunately, both of the residents were out of the structure which was a total loss due to the extent of fire damage. The investigation revealed that the most likely cause of the fire was from egg incubators in the living room of the home. Fire departments around the nation respond to numerous fires each year related to heating devices associated with the production of chickens. Officials say it is often because of overloaded circuits, heat lamps or faulty extension cords.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished an illegal outdoor debris burn near the summit of Hayes Hill early yesterday. On Wednesday at 6:42 a.m., IVFD crews were dispatched to a fire near the intersection of Old Redwood Highway and Hayes Hill Road. Arriving units found an unattended open burn pile with illegal materials near the Hayes Hill rock pit. Crews quickly put out and mopped up the small fire. Officials said there are number of transient camps in the area and some of the inhabitants of those camps likely started the blaze.

 

Applications are being accepted for a position on the Grants Pass Urban Tree Advisory Committee. This term expires on September 30, 2025. The purpose of the committee is to review, develop and implement programs and activities that promote, protect and enhance the urban forest in Grants Pass as part of the Tree City USA program. The only special qualification for this post is an interest in the promotion and enhancement of the urban forest in Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 3rd. Applications will be reviewed by the committee on Monday, May 13th. The Grants Pass City Council will make the appointment during its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 5th.

 

During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross asks donors to help protect the blood supply by making and keeping blood or platelet donation appointments in the weeks ahead. Donors of all blood types -- especially Type O donors and those giving platelets -- are needed now to keep the blood supply strong enough to support critical patient care this spring. The Red Cross depends on thousands of volunteer blood donors to collect about 12,000 blood donations every single day. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential in transfusion care. Blood drives and donation centers also depend on the generosity and valuable time of those who make it possible for the Red Cross to help people in need. Spring into action -- book a time to give lifesaving blood or platelets now by visiting "RedCrossBlood.org," calling 1-(800)-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who give through April 28th will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice plus be automatically entered to win a $7,000 gift card.