Local News

Applications are being accepted for a vacant position on the Grants Pass Tourism Advisory Committee. This position expires on March 31, 2025. The goal of the Tourism Advisory Committee is to encourage visitors and residents to engage in community activities while enhancing the positive image of Grants Pass through marketing, promotions and destination management. The purpose of the committee is to review and advise the work of the city's Tourism Contractor. This includes reporting findings and making recommendations to the Grants Pass City Council as needed. The special qualification for this open position is a person representing lodging properties within the City of 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 no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 27th.

 

The Grants Pass City Council is showing moderate interest in building a new fire station to replace the Hillcrest facility and the panel is showing strong interest in a $6.5 million rebuild of Caveman Pool. During its workshop on Monday, City Manager Aaron Cubic and Interim Fire Chief Randy DeLonge presented options to the Council for the Hillcrest Fire Station which is more than 50 years old. Both said there are livability issues for firefighters when they are on duty, but it is their best site for firefighter training. Delonge said the current fire station was built in 1971 with some modest seismic upgrades and other improvements since that time. The City Council plans to explore renovation options for Hillcrest or an alternative location for a new north-city fire station. In 2019, a study estimated it would take around $2 million to renovate the station. The Council requested city staff update those numbers to 2024 as well as estimated costs for a new fire station. Parks Superintendent Josh Hopkins presented two options for Caveman Pool. The first is a $6.5 million proposal to rebuild the municipal facility including one large pool with a two-meter diving platform, 3/4-meter diving board and water slide, plus a sprayground, new pumphouse, renovated main building and no new parking. The Council showed strong interest in that option as opposed to another option that would cost just over $1 million. A final decision has not yet been made, but Councilors agreed the $6.5 million option could last as long as 50 years and there is already more than $6.3 million available for the Caveman Pool project.

 

As a result of progress made on the Salt Creek Fire, the Butte Falls Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management has reduced the closure of BLM-managed lands in that area for public and firefighter safety. BLM lands within the fire perimeter between Butte Falls and Eagle Point remain closed. Members of the public may not enter closed areas and all uses including hiking, hunting and dispersed camping are prohibited. The closure area encompasses the BLM lands within the affected evacuation zones. This includes BLM lands accessed off of Salt Creek Road north of Highway 140. The closure map can be found at "blm.gov/orwafire." Public and firefighter safety are the highest priority. The closure will allow rehabilitation crews to continue to address safety issues within the 4,100-acre burned area. As it becomes safe to do so, officials will continue to assess the closure and their impacts in alignment with sound risk management practices. For the latest road and weather condition updates, visit "tripcheck.com." Please call 9-1-1 to report any signs of new fires.

 

With the theme "Rockin' The Decades," the 2024 Josephine County Fair starts tomorrow at the Fairgrounds on Redwood Highway in Grants Pass. "Rockin' The Decades" will take you on a journey through the 1970s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s. From groovy fashions to iconic music, they've got you covered at this year's five-day summer extravaganza. In addition to the free commercial and agricultural exhibits, free entertainment, carnival rides and fantastic fair food, two great concerts will be featured at the Grandstands with your paid admission. On Thursday, it's legendary country band Sawyer Brown. On Saturday, it's The Cadillac Three and their "The Years Go Fast" tour. On Friday, the Ikons of Rock will now offer free general admission seating, thanks in part to a sponsorship from Grants Pass Toyota. Once again, admission to the Josephine County Fair is absolutely free. Parking will be limited at the Fairgrounds. Fairgrounds parking is $10 per vehicle. There is free parking and a shuttle to and from the Fairgrounds at RCC.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on two local felony warrants following a weekend traffic stop in the New Hope area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies pulled over an older white Ford driven by a 30-year-old male subject near the corner of New Hope and Hidden Valley roads on Friday around 11:35 p.m.. Deputies said they stopped the Ford for speeding and quickly discovered that the driver was wanted on two Jackson County felony warrants for Parole Violation with an underlying drug charge, Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Reckless Driving. The warrants were issued by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in 2022. The suspect was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged on the no-bail warrants. He was set to be transferred to the Jackson County Jail in Medford.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for going after two other men with a baseball bat early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers were alerted to a disturbance in the 1100-block of SW 5th Street on Sunday at 12:09 a.m.. Police said a 37-year-old male subject was observed in the street trying to fight two men in a truck. They said the vehicle raced away after the subject hit it with a baseball bat. Their identities were unknown, but they reportedly live in the area. The suspect told officers he tried to fight them because they were being rude to his girlfriend and calling her names. He was placed into custody and lodged in jail without bail for Disorderly Conduct. Officers said the suspect will also be facing Criminal Mischief charges if the two other men are identified.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving and other charges after he crashed into two parked vehicles on the west side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers and emergency crews responded to the reported wreck in the 800-block of SW Pine Street on Friday around 9:30 p.m.. Police said a 37-year-old male subject was driving a white sport utility vehicle when he lost control and crashed into two parked unoccupied vehicles, causing significant damage. There were no injuries reported. The subject reportedly displayed indicators of impairment at the scene and he admitted to consuming 10 adult beverages before driving his damaged SUV, which was impounded. At least one of the parked vehicles was also towed away. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and two counts of 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

 

Authorities were investigating a weekend motor vehicle accident in Cave Junction where the at-fault driver fled the scene. On Friday at 9:04 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response were dispatched to a three-vehicle crash in the 100-block of West Hanby Lane. IVFD officials said one of the drivers fled the scene, while the two other drivers exchanged information and awaited the arrival of Jerry's Towing for their vehicles. There were no injuries reported and law enforcement was searching for the suspect vehicle.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office evicted two people from a US Forest Service campground and arrested one of them on criminal charges late last week. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies were performing a patrol check at an unspecified Forest Service campground last Friday afternoon when they contacted a man and woman who had been living there for far longer than the two-week limitation. Deputies said a 52-year-old woman was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and she was unlawfully charging her phone with the campground's electricity. Her dogs were also running loose in the area. The woman was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession and Theft of Services. Her male companion told deputies he would catch the woman's dogs and clear her belongings out of the campground.