Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist on an outstanding warrant following a complaint in the downtown area this week. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to a red minivan that was parked in an alley in the 100-block of SE K Street on Monday morning. Police said the owners of Rogue Valley Brewing Supply called 9-1-1 to report the minivan was parked on their property and their gate had been damaged. They said they did not know who owns the vehicle, but it appears it was being lived in. Responding officers contacted 56-year-old David Alan O'Rourke, Sr., and learned that he was wanted on a Curry County warrant for failing to appear in court for a traffic offense. He was also found to be driving with a suspended license. O'Rourke was placed into custody and lodged in jail on the warrant plus a new charge of Driving While Suspended. His minivan was impounded.

 

A pedestrian escaped serious injury when they were struck by a vehicle on US Highway 199 in Cave Junction. On Tuesday at 6:31 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Oregon State Police were dispatched to the vehicle versus pedestrian collision in the 200-block of North Redwood Highway. IVFD officials said the unidentified pedestrian sustained minor injuries after being hit by a vehicle and they declined medical transport to the hospital. OSP was conducting an on-site investigation into the cause of the incident.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District is pleased to announce the graduates of the 2025 RITA Volunteer Firefighter 1 Academy who successfully completed their training last Saturday. Graduates include Volunteer Firefighters Levi Schellenberg, Olivia Tuuri, William Harrison and Josiah Gavlik. IVFD Chief John Holmes said their dedication and countless hours of volunteer service exemplify the commitment it takes to serve their community. He said volunteer firefighters are a vital part of the Illinois Valley and they deeply appreciate their hard work and perseverance. Chief Holmes congratulated all the graduates, adding that their service and dedication do not go unnoticed.

 

Those who own property in Oregon may still file their intent to appeal designations made by recently released wildfire hazard maps. The Oregon Department of Forestry said appeal forms must be received by March 10th to reserve a place in line for future appeal hearings. A full case does not need to be developed to file the appeal form. Updated maps were issued January 7th and notifications were mailed to owners of properties designated as "high hazard" and within the wildland-urban interface. The updated maps and mailing initiated a 60-day period to file an intent to appeal. Governor Tina Kotek announced last week that state forestry officials are to hold on referring any appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings until after the current legislative session. This will allow the Legislature to deliberate potential changes to wildfire hazard map policy. If there is no change in law this session, ODF will resume the appeals process after the session concludes at the end of June. Those who wish to appeal must file their form by March 10th to preserve their ability to appeal the designations. The statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface maps are available on Oregon State University's Wildfire Risk Explorer website.

 

With 298 Firewise USA sites in good standing across the United States, Oregon is again ranked #2 in the nation for the number of locations. In 2024, Oregon added 32 new sites to create more fire-adapted communities. The state is also honored to share the first Firewise USA site in the country that is located in two states, along the Oregon-California border in Lake County. Along with being #2 as a state last year, Oregon was also home to the #4 and #5 counties with the most sites in the nation: Deschutes County with 78 sites and Jackson County with 74. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication of community members and those that led the charge. Firewise USA is a program that helps guide communities in the process of protecting their homes and neighborhoods from wildfire. The program is run by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and co-sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters and US Forest Service. Starting the journey to become a Firewise USA site is as easy as calling your local ODF office.

 

Applications are being accepted for one position on the Grants Pass & Josephine County Bikeways & Walkways Committee due to a vacancy. This term expires on November 2nd of this year. The purpose of this committee is to seek input from the community, coordinate and disseminate information for public education about biking and walking routes, and serve as public resource and advisory group regarding bike and pedestrian trails for the City of Grants Pass and Josephine County. Applications for this position must be city residents. The special qualification is any person who represents the interests of bikers and walkers. 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, March 7th.

 

A Cave Junction resident had to be extricated from their home yesterday after strong winds toppled a tree onto their residence. On Monday at 2:30 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District responded to an initial report of an electrical outage when dispatchers indicated a fallen tree had severed a power line in the 600-block of Hummingbird Road. Upon arrival, IVFD crews observed a large diameter tree had uprooted and fallen onto a house with an occupant trapped inside. The incident was escalated, with American Medical Response and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office dispatched to the scene. Rescue crews used chainsaws and circular saws and -- with assistance from neighbors -- the trapped individual was extricated from the damaged structure. The unidentified victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center. Pacific Power responded to secure the downed power line and the American Red Cross was notified to provide shelter assistance to the victim.

 

Strong winds wreaked havoc in Josephine County on Monday -- including the uprooting of seven trees near Chinook Park east of Grants Pass. Rural Metro firefighters -- aided by several nearby residents -- worked for over two hours using chainsaws to reopen Almar Road. A nearby mobile home was spared after several trees fell within six feet of the structure. Powerlines were knocked down and electrical outages occurred in the area -- some of them into the nightime hours. Rural Metro also responded to power line problems on Monument Drive, West Jones Creek Road, Redwood Highway near Wilderville, Peckerwood Lane, Demaray Drive, New Hope Road and Helms Road. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to power line problems on NE Fairview Avenue, SE Portola Drive and NE 9th Street. Crews also assisted Rural Metro with the incident on Almar Road.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man wanted on a statewide felony warrant early yesterday during a patrol check at the Bottle Drop Center. The Police Department reports officers arrested 51-year-old Gabriel Gene Suiter at the recycling depot in the 1,000-block of Rogue River Highway on Monday shortly after 8 a.m.. Police said Suiter was trespassing at the Bottle Drop Center behind their roped-off area while actively gathering a broken glass mirror that did not belong to him. He initially gave officers a false name and birth date. Further investigation revealed his true identity as well as the reason why he lied. Suiter was wanted on a 2018 Oregon State warrant for Felony Parole Violation. He told officers that he had the warrant for over a year and admitted to not checking in with his corrections officer. His corrections officer was notified about the contact. Suiter was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and he was being held on a no-bail detainer.