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GP City Council Approves 90-Day Window to Explore Future of Park Caretaker's Cottage

The Grants Pass City Council has given the historic caretaker's cottage at Riverside Park a 90-day reprieve before it decides whether to demolish the building, remodel it or move it to another location. During its Monday workshop, the City Council voted 7-0 to table a decision on the Reed Building until at least mid-July. Council President Vanessa Ogier was absent. Community Development Director Brad Clark opened the discussion by reminding the Council that the caretaker's cottage was built in 1920 and that the Historical Buildings & Sites Commission (HBSC) made a motion last July to preserve the structure and designate it as a local landmark. The City Council toured the building last year and an open house was held there in October. In a citizen survey, 75% of the respondents wanted to save the structure that fronts East Park Street adjacent to the city parks maintenance yard. It's in need of extensive repairs that will be determined by a preservation expert. Clark mentioned that there may be some city funding available as well as some grant opportunities to help pay for rehabilitation of the Reed Building. Historical Buildings & Sites Commission Chair Ward Warren asked for the 90-day window for an expert to look at the structure and for the HBSC to explore possible public-private partnerships that could result in the building being used for concessions, other commercial uses or even a parks museum.

Posted on 4/16/24 5:49AM by Sam Marsh

Grants Pass School Board Takes Significant Steps in Strategic Planning Process for D7

More than 65 dedicated individuals -- including staff, parents and community members -- came together at Grants Pass High School last weekend to engage in a two-day strategic planning workshop. According to a District 7 press release, the group worked Friday and Saturday to evaluate the current state of Grants Pass public schools and develop a set of goals to drive future progress and success for the district. After enthusiastic collaboration and discussion, the group presented the Grants Pass School Board with five key goals they would like to be the focus of D7's efforts in the coming years. The goals are improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students; implement behavioral supports and interventions; focus on recruitment and retention of staff; enhance Career & Technical Education, dual enrollment, post-secondary and career connections; and strengthen community engagement and partnerships. These goals will serve as a roadmap for the district's future direction and will guide decision-making as GP schools strive to provide the best possible education for their students. District staff and the Board will continue refining and finalizing the strategic plan to ensure it aligns with policy and state law. The final five-year plan is expected to be approved in August.

Posted on 4/16/24 5:38AM by Sam Marsh

Mount Ashland Ends 60th Anniversary Season and Makes Plans for Summer Operations

The Mount Ashland Ski Area held its last day of skiing and snowboarding on Sunday, ending its 60th anniversary winter season at the local mountain resort. The ski area finished with 95,944 guest visits this past season despite a late opening in January due to limited snowfall. As of closing day, the resort had received a total of 215 inches of snow, rebounding nicely from the late start. Mount Ashland General Manager Andrew Gast said they are incredibly grateful to the community that came up to play in the snow this year. He said their youth programs were full, and their ski and snowboard school was busy. Season passes for the 2024-25 season remain on sale throughout the month of April. As usual, they're offering significant discounts and a five-month interest-free payment plan to give recreationists all summer to pay off their passes. For more information, visit "mtashland.com." Mount Ashland is looking ahead to summer operations and projects. Beginning on Father's Day, the ski area will open the lodge for meals and snacks every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is also a robust lineup of activities planned.

Posted on 4/16/24 5:36AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Motel Maintenance Man for Punching Another Man in Face

Grants Pass Police jailed a maintenance man at a north-city motel for allegedly punching another man in the face. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 54-year-old man at the Grants Pass Travelodge on NW Vine Street on Saturday around 1 p.m.. Police said they received a call from a motel guest stating that he was punched in the face by a maintenance man on the back side of the motel. The incident was called in as an assault, but the victim was not seriously hurt. The reason for the punch was not disclosed in the daily police log. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Harassment and he was being held without bail. The victim was trespassed from the motel -- except to move his parents and their trailers off the property.

Posted on 4/15/24 10:59AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Snared 2 People for Violating Court Orders after Cheney Creek Call

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested two people for violating court orders after a weekend domestic disturbance in the Wilderville area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the disturbance in the 200-block of Cheney Creek Road on Saturday shortly after 10 a.m.. Deputies said 9-1-1 dispatchers alerted them to a man who reported he woke up to someone coming into his trailer and punching him in the mouth. The caller said he had a busted lip and requested medical assistance. Upon arrival, deputies determined that the incident was the result of an altercation between a 67-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman. Both of them had restraining orders against each other and they had obviously disobeyed the court orders. Both suspects were placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. Both were held without bail.

Posted on 4/15/24 10:58AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Man for Probation Violation by Vandalizing Pot Retailer

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his probation over the weekend by vandalizing the windows at a downtown cannabis business. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the vandalism incident at Diamond Cannabis on SW 6th Street on Saturday at about 12:40 p.m.. Police said store employees reported a male transient came into the store on Friday night asking for free product. When he was refused, he got upset and returned with a metal pole which he dragged across the windows. Damage to the frosted vinyl on the front and side windows of the store was estimated to be more than $3,000. Officers searched the area, eventually located the 25-year-old suspect and placed him into custody around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief plus Probation Violation related to numerous arrests for Petty Theft, Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass. He was being held on a no-bail detainer.

Posted on 4/15/24 10:55AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Arrested Pair for Attempting to Steal Home Depot Merchandise

Grants Pass Police arrested two people for attempting to steal merchandise from Home Depot. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the store on NE Mill Street on Saturday around 4:45 p.m.. Police said they were alerted to a man and woman loading a Chevrolet El Camino with stolen items -- including oil, gloves, spray paint and a shovel -- and fleeing the scene. The stolen merchandise was valued at more than $161. Officers caught up with the suspects a short distance away and detained them before determining that the 30-year-old man had committed the heist and the 44-year-old woman assisted him by loading the items into the car. All the stolen items were recovered and returned to Home Depot. Both suspects were charged with 2nd-Degree Theft. The man was lodged at the Josephine County Jail while the woman was cited to appear in court and released.

Posted on 4/15/24 10:54AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Weekend Complaint near Merlin

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a weekend traffic complaint in the Merlin area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies were alerted to an intoxicated male driver from a caller in the 300-block of Thornbrook Drive on Friday at 11:44 p.m.. Deputies said the caller reported a 24-year-old man left that location while driving a white Dodge Challenger. The driver was said to be highly intoxicated as he left on Galice Road toward Merlin with the intent to head to Grants Pass. Responding deputies located the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of Li'l Pantry Market & Deli. The driver was contacted, displayed signs of impairment and then placed into custody. The suspect was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he was cited to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. The Challenger was picked up at the market by the reporting party.

Posted on 4/15/24 10:50AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Arrested Motorist for Impaired Driving after North Valley Traffic Stop

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after a weekend traffic stop in the North Valley area. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Dodge 1500 pickup driven by a 44-year-old man near the corner of Merlin Road and Holbrook Way on Saturday at about 12:15 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped the suspect for traffic violations and he displayed signs of impairment by alcohol. They said the man performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was more than twice the legal driving limit. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and lodged at the Sobering Center. His pickup was impounded.

Posted on 4/15/24 10:49AM by Sam Marsh

No One Hurt When SUV Crashed into Back of Semi-Trailer on Interstate 5

No one was hurt when a sport utility vehicle smashed into the back of a slow-moving commercial vehicle on Interstate 5 on the ascent toward Sexton Summit. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 69 at about 4 p.m. Saturday. Troopers said a 26-year-old Springfield man driving a Chevrolet Tahoe tried to pass a commercial vehicle on the right while climbing the mountain and crashed into the back of another commercial vehicle operated by a 32-year-old truck driver. According to OSP, no injuries were sustained in the crash -- but the SUV sustained heavy damage and towed into Grants Pass. The commercial vehicle drove away from the scene. It was unclear whether any citations were issued.

Posted on 4/15/24 10:47AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed 2 IV Residents after Recovering Stolen Pickup in Cave Junction

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed two Illinois Valley residents after recovering a stolen vehicle in Cave Junction. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman in the 100-block of West Hanby Lane on Friday shortly before 11 p.m.. Deputies said they pulled over a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe containing the suspects after spotting it and discovering that it had been reported stolen in the Central Point area by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Both suspects were placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. The man was also charged with Probation Violation related to another crime. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office was notified about the recovery of the vehicle and family members of the registered owner made arrangements to pick it up.

Posted on 4/15/24 7:34AM by Sam Marsh

Weekend Patrol on Disabled Vehicle Led to Arrest of Man on Statewide Warrant

A weekend patrol check on a disabled vehicle in northern Josephine County led to the arrest of a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies contacted the 37-year-old man near the corner of Lower Wolf Creek and Grave Creek roads on Friday at 7:45 p.m.. Deputies said they were on patrol when they spotted a disabled vehicle, contacted the driver and discovered that he was wanted on an Oregon State Parole Board warrant for Parole Violation stemming from convictions for Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer. At the arrestee's request, the disabled truck and trailer were to be moved to another location by a friend.

Posted on 4/15/24 7:33AM by Sam Marsh

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