Local News

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged an active week of community protection. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 659 calls for service along with 307 officer-initiated calls last week which resulted in 55 arrests, 26 citations, 43 warnings and 11 highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 53 traffic stops in the city and they made 19 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 100 contacts with potential troublemakers while arresting six people, citing five more and warning 22 others. The CRT unit also trespassed three individuals from homes and businesses. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 108 calls last week including 61 for emergency medical service, four for fires or smoke, 19 lift assists, five rescue situations, three assists to other agencies and 11 false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,056 emergency calls in addition to 718 calls for non-emergency service.

 

The Adult Community Transition (ACT) Program for the Grants Pass School District has relocated from Grants Pass High School to a new building on the campus of GPFLEX. This move marks a significant milepost in providing an environment for young adults with disabilities to develop essential life skills and continue their journey toward independence. ACT programs serve young adults age 18-21. They are typically housed off-campus to allow participants who have completed high school to move into a space that fosters their growth into adulthood. The new facility at GPFLEX does exactly that, providing a home-like atmosphere where young adults can practice real-world skills. This facility includes a fully-equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, an ADA-compliant bathroom with a shower, and comfortable living spaces featuring couches, recliners and personalized décor to make the space feel like home. The ACT program's mission is to empower young adults with disabilities by offering them real-world experiences that build life skills.

 

The Salvation Army Grants Pass announced the launch of its AmeriCorps Program, funded by a $269,999 AmeriCorps grant after receiving an initial planning grant of $74000. This program will place 10 full-time AmeriCorps members at key service locations throughout Southern Oregon, including The Salvation Army, Rogue Retreat, and Rivers Edge Charter School (REACH), to address homelessness and housing instability. The AmeriCorps members focus will be on workforce development, housing stability, and providing critical resources to help individuals overcome barriers, secure stable housing, and achieve economic stability through education and employment.
The newly placed AmeriCorps members and their roles are as follows:
Bronson McAllister: Rogue Retreat Volunteer Coordinator
Shawn Kyker: Rogue Retreat Life Skills Coordinator
Lauren Hafterson: The Salvation Army Medford Volunteer Coordinator
Mana Kaiu: The Salvation Army Medford Job Skills Coordinator
Jack Bowen: The Salvation Army Medford Wrap Around Coordinator
Zoe Billings: REACH Student Success Grants Pass
Karl Ketley: The Salvation Army Grants Pass Workforce Coordinator
The Salvation Army will provide comprehensive oversight, ensuring members receive support and training to achieve program goals and have enriching experiencing.

 

The Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team has been investigating the recent alleged illegal activities of 50-year-old Glenn Gearhart from California. Gearhart is a convicted felon from California, with multiple convictions for crimes of violence, including with the use of firearms. Friday a search warrant was obtained for Gearhart, as well as his apartment in Winchester. At approximately 4:40 PM, detectives located Gearhart leaving his residence, driving a late model Jeep Cherokee. Detectives believed he was in possession of firearms and large quantities of narcotics. Gearhart was reported to have made statements that if he is caught again, he would not be taken alive. Deputies attempted a traffic stop in Roseburg, but Gearhart failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. Following a long chase Gearhart turned onto Garden Valley and was slowed by traffic giving deputies the opportunity to pin Gearhart's vehicle. Gearhart was confronted by multiple deputies, Roseburg PD officers, and detectives. Gearhart at first was non-compliant but he gave up and was taken into custody without further incident.Detectives found a Glock .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine, an illegal short barrel shotgun, an AR-15, a pump action shotgun, along with a large sum of cash. Detectives returned to the residence in the 100 block of Page Road to search the residence. A search revealed a large cache of narcotics to include: 1.3 lbs. of suspected fentanyl, 1.6 lbs. of suspected methamphetamine, 51 grams of cocaine, 369 dosage units of alprazolam, and 12.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. Glenn Gearhart was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on 13 charges, some with multiple counts

 

Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Hwy 140, near milepost 31, in Jackson County Thursday afternoon. The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Chevrolet Colorado, operated by Fabiola Salcedo, 42, of Dorris, CA, lost control and spun into the westbound lane where it was struck by a westbound Subaru Forester, operated by Danny Ray Ebert, 74, of La Pine, on the passenger side. The operator of the Chevrolet, Mr.Salcedo, was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Subaru, Mr. Ebert and passenger, 77-year-old Phyllis Ann Ebert of La Pine, both suffered minor to serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.The highway was impacted for approximately 2.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is believed to be related to roadway conditions and speed.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is continuing work on the bridge retrofit project on Oregon 99, the Rogue River Highway. Beginning Monday, the Foots Creek Bridge will be closed for approximately a week. Please use an alternate route and watch for workers. The contractor has provided a pedestrian transport vehicle (PTV) that can accommodate at least 2 ADA passengers, a maximum of 10 able-bodied pedestrians and up to 3 bicycles with a secured rack during the closure. The project is replacing bridge structures at Birdseye Creek, Foots Creek and Millers Gulch for earthquake resilience. The estimated construction dates are November 2023 – June 2025.

 

Professionals staffing Grants Pass Public Safety divisions ensure locals quality of life. Grants Pass Police received 659 calls for service in the past week. Officers initiated 307 contacts that resulted in 55 arrests, 43 warnings,53 traffic stops, 26 citations, 19 referrals to DHS and 11 citizens lodged at the sobering center. The Community Response Team made 100 contacts and issued 22 warnings and five citations while executing six arrests. There were three trespass warnings handed out. The Fire Rescue Division rolled to four fires and responded to 61 medical calls. They answered 19 lift assist calls, conducted five rescues and assisted the public another five times. They also answered 11 false alarms, inspected 31 businesses, installed nine car seats and provided three sessions of public education.

 

Grants Pass Police need your help identifying the two burglars who broke into the C&D Short Stop Market on SW G Street early Wednesday morning on October 16th.The two subjects broke a front window, entered the business, and stole a large quantity of cigarettes and other items before fleeing the area. Please watch the video by clicking on this link.

https://www.facebook.com/grantspasspolice/videos/1088224299360524

If you recognize the two subjects, please contact Officer Taylor by calling 541-450-6260 and referencing case # 24-35857. It takes community partnership to keep our city as safe as possible.

 

Grants Pass City Police responded to a call from a mother with two children saying there was someone in their house Thursday morning. Responding Officers formed a contact team outside prior to entering and determined the guest room was occupied by two individuals. A challenge was delivered and a man, Lee David Wilson, 36, emerged from the room and was taken into custody without incident and was determined to have an active warrant for his arrest. A woman accompanying Wilson was temporarily detained but ultimately released. Wilson was lodged on a post-prison sanction.