Local News

MINT will purchase the Parker Place Property on the Redwood Highway with funding being supplied by the City of Grants Pass following two 5 to 3 votes by the Council Wednesday night. Council approved two resolutions authorizing a grant agreement between the City of Grants Pass and the Mobile Integrative Navigation Team, also known as MINT, first for a navigation center and shelter to address homeless issues in the amount of $460 thousand dollars for the property at 220 Redwood Highwood, and, second, at 210 Redwood Highway for approximately $200,000. Funds would come from the City’s contingency fund. The shelter would within six months be able to house 20 people inside and provide a campground for an additional thirty tent sites with the goal to be able to accommodate 100 individuals within 18 months.

 

The Grants Pass City Council during the regular business session Wednesday night approved the CDBG grant report, annexed a property to the city, okayed a FEMA compliance measure and amended certain fee schedules. The Council first approved a resolution to accept the Community Development Block Grant Program annual report for 2023. Regulations require the city annually assess the program’s accomplishments and describe any obstacles encountered. The City received $361,709 in program funds in October of 2023 through September of 2024 to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment by expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate-income persons. The last day to submit the report to HUD is December 27th. The Council then approved an ordinance annexing property located at 1907 Fruitdale Drive into the city limits. The applicant, Home Bridging, Inc, sought the annexation so the property can be connected to municipal utilities. A pre-implementation compliance measure mandated by FEMA to require impacted Oregon communities to demonstrate how development within the special flood hazard area and riparian buffer zone is compliant with the endangered species act was adopted by resolution. The city currently has approximately 1,088 properties affected. Letters will be sent to affected property owners about the

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners finalized the sale of The Flying Lark to River Valley Community Church during its weekly business session today. County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks testified that the total purchase price of the facility next to Grants Pass Downs at the Fairgrounds is $9.5 million, with a cash down payment of $4.5 million followed by monthly installments of approximately $18,000 for the balance of the property transaction. After administrative fees of $500,000 are deducted, the $9 million balance will be placed in a "Fairgrounds Permanent Fund" with the annual interest available for the Fairgrounds to use for capital improvements and other projects. Current and past members of the Josephine County Fair Board were in attendance and Recreation Director Tamra Martin expressed their satisfaction with the completion of the sale. Hicks also spoke about a lease-option agreement for property around The Flying Lark that the church will use for parking. The church has the option to purchase the parking area for $150,000 if it does so before the end of 2028. There is also an easement agreement for a strip of land off Pansy Lane included in the transaction. In other business, the Board approved ODOT-delivered federally-funded bridge projects on Fruitdale Drive and Rogue River Highway over Fruitdale Creek as well as on Takilma Road over Althouse Creek. Public Works Director Rob Brandes said his department would not be able to complete the fish passage enhancements that will total more than $7 million without state and federal funding.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for both old and new crimes after he was caught trying to break into a mental health and drug treatment facility in the downtown area last night. The Police Department reports officers arrested 36-year-old Eric Thomas Hermes for the incident at the Options for Southern Oregon facility in the 400-block of SW 5th Street on Tuesday at 9:34 p.m.. Police said a caller from a neighboring business reported observing a male subject later identified as Hermes unlawfully entering the Options Hub and trying to get inside the building through a window. All gates to the property had been locked and they were clearly marked with "No Trespassing" signs. An Options employee was contacted and arrived at the facility, identifying Hermes as the suspect. He was found to be wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for Parole Violation related to past convictions for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. According to the report, the convicted felon initially provided law enforcement with a false name. He was also found to be in possession of a spring-assisted knife which is a direct violation of his post-prison supervision. Hermes was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Attempted 2nd-Degree Burglary, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, Criminal Trespass and Furnishing False Information to Police.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding felony warrant while investigating a trespassing complaint at a home on the west side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the call involving 34-year-old Marcus Allen Weeks in the 1900-block of SW Betty Lane on Tuesday around 8:30 a.m.. Police said a man called 9-1-1 and reported that his wife allowed her son to stay at their home about a week ago. Since that time, the man said his stepson had stolen several items and changed his behavior. He met officers in his driveway because he did not want to go back inside the house where his stepson was still sleeping. The complainant wanted Weeks trespassed from the residence. He disclosed that he believed his stepson was wanted on a warrant out of Jackson County. It was confirmed that he was wanted on a felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Burglary, 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. Weeks was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant. He was also trespassed from his mother's and stepfather's residence.

 

A 9-1-1 investigation at a residence in downtown Grants Pass last night led to the arrest of a man on an outstanding felony warrant. The Police Department reports officers first contacted 60-year-old Clint Edward Robertson at a home in the 200-block of SE K Street and then placed him into custody on Tuesday at 7:04 p.m.. Police said dispatchers received a call from a frantic woman who yelled something about her car and hung up. The Dispatch Center was able to pinpoint the location of the call and officers responded to investigate. Robertson was contacted and found to be wanted on a Medford felony warrant for Probation Violation related to an arrest for 4th-Degree Assault. He was also found to be in possession of the keys to a car belonging to the woman who had called 9-1-1. The keys were returned to a woman identified as "Melody Hefner." Due to undisclosed medical issues, Robertson was not lodged in jail on the warrant. Instead, he was cited to appear in Jackson County Circuit Court and released to the care of Three Rivers Medical Center.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man wanted on a local warrant while patrolling the north part of the city yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers contacted 30-year-old Dustin Michael Fontana in the 1400-block of NW 6th Street on Tuesday at 11:55 a.m.. Police said they were looking for Fontana because he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Disorderly Conduct. They spotted him walking south on 6th Street, swooped in and placed him into custody. Fontana was booked into the Josephine County Jail on the outstanding warrant.

 

The Eagle Point Police Department has jailed a man for cutting another man with a knife during a fight at a home in that city this week. EPD reports officers and Jackson County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a report of menacing with a knife and a physical altercation in the 300-block of Lorraine Avenue on Monday evening. As officers were responding, additional information was relayed by dispatch that the suspect was being detained by one of the residents and he was reported to have brandished a knife. The suspect was identified as 65-year-old Anthony Holzhauer. An investigation determined Holzhauer had been in an altercation with 57-year-old Webster Jackson when Holzhauer produced a knife and cut Jackson several times. Further investigation revealed the altercation was over a disagreement about money and Holzhauer used the knife to assault Jackson, resulting in multiple cuts to his head, face and body. Jackson was treated and released at a local hospital. Holzhauer was placed into custody and lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Assault, Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Harassment. EPD Chief Jim Hamilton said the case has been forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for breaking into Lewis Power Equipment and stealing a brand new log splitter this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested 40-year-old Tom Curtis Milstead at Redwood Mini Storage on Monday night. Police said they were initially alerted to the theft of a Brave log splitter valued at more than $2,500 from Lewis Power Equipment on Redwood Avenue Monday morning. The store manager had video surveillance of a spray-painted Subaru Impreza inside the shop yard. The suspect cut the locked gate, hooked up the log splitter to his vehicle and drove away. About 12 hours later, several callers reported the Subaru parked at Redwood Mini Storage with the log splitter attached to it. One of the callers identified the suspect as Milstead and advised that he often stays inside a storage unit. Officers responded and identified the wood splitter by its serial number. A Lewis Power Equipment employee arrived on scene and picked up the stolen splitter. Milstead eventually admitted to cutting the locked gate and stealing the wood splitter. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Theft, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 1st-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail pending his courtroom arraignment.