Local News

The Josephine County Commissioners will consider referring to voters a measure for a five-year local option tax to pay for veteran services during its weekly business session tomorrow morning. If approved by the Board, the measure would appear on the November 5th General Election ballot. If approved by voters, it would levy 5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value or $15 annually for a property valued at $300,000. Also on the agenda is a potential advisory question asking voters whether veterans service office operations should be funded by a property tax. Josephine County is home to approximately 9,000 military veterans and the current office is located at the Courthouse in Grants Pass. In other business, the Board will consider two orders involving administrative policies for the purpose of conducting daily business. One order would set forth policy and procedures regarding the allocation of general fund dollars for county departments. The other would establish policy and procedures regarding the role, purpose and authority of Commissioner Liaisons to department and advisory boards. The Commission is also expected to approve an order authorizing the future sale of county-owned real properties by the Sheriff. Wednesday's public meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Anne G. Basker Auditorium.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a registered sex offender for two felonies last weekend. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 46-year-old male subject they identified as "Stanley Lee Miller" at a home in the 700-block of NE Wharton Drive near Grants Pass High School on Sunday at 7:36 p.m.. Police said Miller was known to be a registered sex offender who failed to report his updated address which caused him to be out of compliance. His underlying sex offense is a felony, so he was immediately placed into custody. During a consent search, Miller was found to be in possession of a restricted knife that was seized as evidence. Miller was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Failure to Report as a Sex Offender and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a statewide felony warrant yesterday after he was released from Three Rivers Medical Center. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted that the 41-year-old male subject was being released from the hospital on SW Ramsey Avenue on Monday at 12:41 p.m.. Police said the man had been admitted to the hospital for ongoing medical issues. They said he was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Parole Violation related to a past conviction for Felony Assault. Officers responded, placed the suspect into custody and transported him to the Josephine County Jail where he was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Oregon State Police apprehended a woman wanted on a statewide felony warrant early yesterday during a contact at an Interstate 5 rest area in the North Valley area. OSP reports troopers contacted the 45-year-old female subject driving a BMW X5 sedan at the northbound Manzanita Rest Area on Monday at 7:34 a.m.. Troopers said they quickly discovered that the woman was wanted on an Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. She had also been arrested for Parole Violation late last year. The underlying conviction in 2020 was not disclosed. The suspect was transported to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged on a no-bail detainer. Her vehicle and dog were picked up from the rest area by a friend at her request.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a woman wanted on five local warrants during a traffic stop in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers pulled over a blue sedan near the corner of NE 7th and A streets on Monday around 10:35 a.m.. Police said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and a 49-year-old female subject who is the registered owner of the vehicle was a passenger. A routine records check revealed that she was wanted on five Grants Pass warrants. Charges contained in the warrants included failing to appear in court for Felony 1st-Degree Aggravated Theft, Identity Theft and Forgery plus multiple counts of Heroin and Methamphetamine Possession. According to the report, a K-9 officer was brought in and alerted to the presence of a firearm in the vehicle. The Glock 9-millimeter handgun was properly registered. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on $205,000 bail.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District snuffed out a recreational vehicle fire in Cave Junction last night. On Monday at 8:02 p.m., IVFD crews responded to a reported structure fire in the 100-block of South Hussey Avenue. IVFD officials said the arriving engine found a smoking travel trailer, with the occupants attempting to put the fire out with a garden hose. There was no spread to the rest of the trailer or nearby vehicles. After the fire was confirmed to be fully-extinguished, a preliminary investigation determined it to be a possible electrical incident. There were no injuries reported.

 

Authorities were looking for a person who started a small fire at Illinois River Forks State Park late yesterday. On Monday at 6:32 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a reported grass fire at the state park in the 26,900-block of Redwood Highway just south of Cave Junction. IVFD officials said arriving units found a small spot fire that was quickly put out. Once the fire was completely out, firefighters searched the park for the person responsible for starting the fire without success. Anyone with information on the fire is encouraged to call IVFD at (541)-592-2225.

 

In light of the incident that took place on Sunday, Hellgate Jetboat Excursions would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who made the safety of those involved their highest priority. On Sunday at 12:39 p.m., a Hellgate Excursions jet boat collided with a private jet boat on the Rogue River at Two Bit Riffle about two miles downstream from Robertson Bridge Boat Landing. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports all injured people were taken to the Hellgate River Lodge by boat to be evaluated by medical personnel. Five people were transported by ground ambulances to a local hospital. Responding agencies included the Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, American Medical Response, Rural Metro Fire Department and Grants Pass Fire & Rescue. Hellgate officials said they are grateful for the actions of their pilot and all crew members who ensured the passengers were kept safe and cared for. They also appreciate the professionalism and care offered by responding emergency units. The Grants Pass company said it continues to gather information to learn about what occurred as it cooperates with the investigation. As with any evolving investigation, the company encourages everyone to take pause and wait for the official report so the facts of the incident can be shared accurately. Due to the ongoing investigation, Hellgate said it is not in a position to offer details or further comment at this time.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley woman for an alleged incident of domestic violence last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1,000-block of Hays Cutoff Road near Cave Junction at about 9 p.m. Saturday. Deputies said a 38-year-old woman called 9-1-1 to report a man pushed her to the ground so he hit him in the head with a shotgun. Moments later, the man called dispatchers to report he was bleeding from the temple of his head after absorbing the blow from the firearm. He was advised to apply direct pressure to the wound. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties and determined the couple were arguing over finances when the woman started throwing dishes. The man tried to restrain the woman and she struck him in the head with the shotgun. The woman requested medical assistance due to a sore neck, but both parties refused transport to the hospital. A Mossberg 500 shotgun was seized as evidence. The woman was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. She was being held without bail.