Local Law Enforcement Officers Recognized for Bravery in Gunfight with Murder Suspect

Seven local law enforcement officers were recently recognized for their bravery in a police-involved shooting that occurred in Grants Pass late last year. The Oregon Peace Officers Association honored the men at their annual awards banquet held earlier this month. Deputy Bayard and Deputy Wolfe of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Corporal Tracey and Officer Six of the Grants Pass Police Department, and Lieutenant Gay and Sergeant Fisher of the Oregon State Police all received Medals of Valor. Sheriff's Corporal Porter received the Medal of Honor. During the week of December 11, 2023, the three agencies were assisting the US Marshals Service with attempting to locate and arrest a fugitive who was wanted for numerous felony crimes including 2nd-Degree Murder. The suspect was seen by Deputy Bayard driving toward Grants Pass on Redwood Highway so the deputy turned around and followed the suspect while alerting GPPD and OSP. Following a high-risk traffic stop on Highway 199 at Allen Creek Road, the police officers became engaged in a close-quarters gunfight with the suspect, eventually killing the dangerous suspect who was well-armed and wearing body armor. No one else was seriously hurt, but Corporal Porter sustained minor injuries with glass and bullet fragments striking him in the head. ...Read more

Applications Being Accepted for 6 Seats on New GP Public Safety Advisory Committee

The City of Grants Pass is accepting applications for six positions on the recently-formed Public Safety Advisory Committee. These will be staggered three-year terms. The Public Safety Advisory Committee will serve as a collaborative platform for community engagement and guidance on public safety matters. The committee will aim to bridge the gap between the community and the City Council, ensuring that public safety strategies align with the needs and resources of the community. The Grants Pass City Council desires to have a balance of viewpoints and demographic representation on the panel include one Budget Committee member, one business representative inside the city limits, one city resident who is not a business owner, one downtown business owner and two citizens at-large. 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 no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025. The City Council will make the appointments on Wednesday, January 15th. ...Read more

Windermere Real Estate of GP and RR Makes Donation to Local Boys & Girls Clubs

A local real estate company with offices in Grants Pass and Rogue River made a nice donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley this week. Windemere Real Estate presented a check for $10,300 to the Boys & Girls Clubs as part of a 34-year commitment to support local communities through donating a portion of the proceeds from every home purchased or sold toward supporting low-income and homeless families. The funds will support the launch of the new "Clubcast" podcast program, which is part of the Club's T3: Training Teens for Tomorrow workforce readiness initiative. The Clubcast Podcast Program introduces teens to audio production and editing with professional tools, graphic design for podcast branding, communication and interviewing techniques, creative content development and business skills. Through this program, local teens will not only develop technical expertise but also critical thinking, collaboration and other workforce readiness skills. ...Read more