Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving early yesterday after multiple traffic complaints on the west side of the city. According to the Police Department, officers pulled over a black Nissan Frontier driven by a 53-year-old male subject near the Dollar General in the 2,000-block of SW Bridge Street on Thursday at about 10:50 a.m.. Police said the subject had generated several complaints due to his erratic driving behavior. They said one of the complaints came from a store clerk who refused to sell him any more alcohol. Upon contact, the man displayed numerous signs of impairment including watery eyes, slurred speech, difficulty in walking and a strong odor of alcoholic beverages. He admitted to drinking six cans of wine. Due to the man's extremely poor balance, he was not asked to perform field sobriety tests. He was transported to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal driving limit. The suspect was lodged at the Sobering Center for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His vehicle and belongings were left in the care of a friend.

 

The Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of Jackson County raided a black-market cannabis growing operation in the Phoenix area this week. On Wednesday, IMET detectives -- assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police -- served a search warrant in the 4,000-block of Fern Valley Road. During execution of the warrant, IMET seized more than 6,000 illegal marijuana plants in 20 greenhouses. During the initial investigation, detectives learned the Phoenix property was connected to a black-market marijuana growing operation in Northern California. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling or processing at this location. IMET arrested one suspect on the property and charges are being referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office for another suspect. The arrestee was identified as 44-year-old Yuhua "Shirley" Hong of Montague, California. She was charged with three felony counts including Unlawful Manufacture, Possession and Distribution of a Marijuana Item. Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene and issued a total of $26,000 in fines to the responsible party. The Oregon Water Resources Department also responded to investigate the water usage and violations may be added in the future. While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for threatening his family at a property in the Fish Hatchery area this week. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 2600-block of Fish Hatchery Road on Wednesday night. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 and reported her husband's 57-year-old son was threatening to burn down their house while killing them and a granddaughter. She said the son came home from work drunk and raging. He reportedly lives in an RV on the property and has numerous firearms. According to the report, the suspect told the granddaughter that if they called the police on him and he went to jail, when he got out he would kill them all. He also yelled about burning down the house and having a sharp knife. Upon arrival, deputies located the suspect in a shop building near the RV and they placed him into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Menacing and was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a Cave Junction woman for violating a court order by slashing the tires on her mother's vehicle at least one time. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 100-block of South Kerby Avenue on Wednesday. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report her 27-year-old daughter slashed two tires on her vehicle and that she had just gotten them repaired from a previous tire-slashing incident. The caller stated that she had valid restraining order protecting her from her daughter. The victim reported the first incident occurred last Saturday afternoon. She said she heard her dogs barking and a neighbor saw a female subject walking away from her vehicle after the subject had slashed two tires. Damage was $143 per tire. Deputies searched the area and located the daughter near the Cave Junction Post Office. She admitted to cutting her mother's tires on Saturday, but not this week. She realized she violated the court order and knew her actions were wrong. The suspect was placed into custody, transported to Grants Pass and booked into the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. She was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for several crimes after he caused a violent disruption at one of the city's designated campgrounds this week. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 41-year-old male subject they identified as "David Brian Rich" at the campground at the corner of 6th and A streets on Wednesday night. Police said Rich was highly intoxicated and reported subjects assaulted him at the camp. He stated the suspects were no longer there and he had no injuries. He was directed to return to his tent and stop drinking alcohol, but he instead decided to walk over to some other subjects and start a verbal altercation. During Rich's display of violent and tumultuous behavior, he was told he was under arrest. However, he refused to follow orders and began to advance on officers while showing pre-assault indicators. He got into a physical altercation with officers and actively resisted before he was taken to the ground and subdued. Rich was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Resisting Arrest, Menacing, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. He was being held in lieu of posting $15,000 bail.

 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is investigating a Thursday afternoon blaze that destroyed a vacant house in the Sunny Valley area. At 5:21 p.m. yesterday, Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District and the Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to a structure fire on Lower Grave Creek Road near Leland Road. Rural Metro officials said first arriving units found an unoccupied structure fully-involved with flames that had spread to just under 1/4-acre of grass and brush. Crews immediately stopped forward growth of the spreading fire and firefighters worked to extinguish the building that had already started to collapse. Due to a language barrier with occupants living in a separate structure on the same property, the cause was not immediately determined. No injuries were reported.

 

Rural Metro Fire Department received support from several mutual aid agencies in handling a two-story structure fire in the Sunny Valley area early yesterday. On Thursday at 1:03 a.m. as all Rural Metro and Grants Pass firefighters were working a two-alarm commercial building fire on Rogue River Highway, a house fire was reported by a passerby just off Interstate 5 near Exit 71. Mutual aid companies that had moved into the area from Jackson County Fire District #1, Evans Valley Fire District, Illinois Valley Fire District, Applegate Valley Fire District and Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District -- led by a Rural Metro Fire Chief -- responded to the incident on Sunny Valley Loop. Fire was located in the attic of the home behind an old motel, but it had been kept in-check by the occupant using a garden hose. Crews were able to stop further spread and quickly remove personal belongings to protect from water and smoke damage. There were no injuries reported and the cause was under investigation. Rural Metro officials said six different agencies -- along with the Oregon Department of Forestry -- working together so efficiently is a testament to the many years of enhancing the local mutual aid system that is widely used across the Rogue Valley.

 

A one-night paving project is set for tonight on the south end of Ashland. Crews with the Oregon Department of Transportation will complete pavement repairs on Oregon Highway 66 between East Main Street and Dead Indian Memorial Road. ODOT crews will work at night to minimize traffic impacts. Work will begin at approximately 8 p.m. and continue until approximately 4 a.m. Saturday. Flaggers and a pilot car will provide traffic control in one lane. Some construction noise may be heard in the adjacent neighborhoods. ODOT appreciates residents' patience as they complete this important work. For updates on road conditions throughout Oregon, visit "tripcheck.com."

 

West Nile Virus has been detected in a mosquito pool collected this week in south Phoenix. It marks the 4th West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pool found in Jackson County this year. August and September are considered peak months for West Nile Virus activity. The mosquitoes are collected by the Jackson County Vector Control District as part of a routine surveillance program. Residents are advised to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since West Nile Virus is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People should consult their health care providers if they experience any flu-like symptoms -- especially in people over 50 years of age with underlying medical conditions. Health care providers can contact Jackson County Public Health for information on West Nile Virus testing. The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated and farm animals. Horse owners should get their horses vaccinated for West Nile Virus. The Jackson County Vector Control District suggests taking steps to protect against mosquitoes. Eliminate or treat any sources of standing water around your home. Avoid outdoor activities at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors. Ensure that screen doors and windows are in good condition and fit tightly. Use repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon or eucalyptus, or Picardin.