Local News

OSP Nabbed Motorist for Impaired Driving after North Grants Pass Traffic Stop
The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving last night after a traffic stop in north Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Dodge Neon driven by a 42-year-old man near the intersection of 6th Street and Morgan Lane on Thursday at 8:37 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. After the driver performed poorly in field sobriety tests, a search warrant was obtained and he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw that documented a high level of impairment. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Suspended Driving. His vehicle was impounded by A-1 Towing.
Posted on 11/1/24 10:12AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Man Killed after His Dump Truck Struck Canadian Motorist Who Fled Scene
A Grants Pass man was killed after the dump truck he was driving struck a vehicle driven by a Canadian motorist who fled the scene on Redwood Highway earlier this week. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle crash on US Highway 199 at its intersection with Helms Road on Tuesday at 12:23 p.m.. Troopers said the preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Nissan Sentra driven by 22-year-old Joshua Chaska Patrick of Abbotsford, British Columbia, failed to stop at a stop sign and entered the highway where it was struck by a northbound Kenworth dump truck driven by 85-year-old Uwe Jens Stehnike of Grants Pass, causing the Kenworth to roll onto its side. Stehnike was declared deceased at the scene while Patrick fled on foot and was arrested nearby a short time later. Patrick sustained injuries and was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment. He was later lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Hit-and-Run and his bail was set at $100,000. The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Rural Metro Fire Department, American Medical Response, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Oregon Department of Transportation.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:28AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Man Jailed for Firing 50 Rounds from Assault Rifle and Endangering Others
A Grants Pass man was jailed for firing off dozens of rounds from an assault rifle and endangering his neighbors this week. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested a 35-year-old male subject in the 100-block of Robertson Lane on Wednesday evening. Police said they responded to that address after multiple complaints from neighbors who advised there was an ongoing issue with shots fired by the man. After contact, the subject admitted to firing off 50 rounds from his AK rifle into a berm that faces numerous properties within the city limits. Officers said they noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the shooter who admitted that he started drinking at 9 a.m. to eliminate his shakes because he is an alcoholic. He contended that he has a more steady hand while shooting after he has been drinking. He also acknowledged that shooting while impaired is not safe. According to City Code, discharging a firearm within the city limits is against the law. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Endangering. His assault rifle was seized and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:19AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Man for Trespassing at NW Home Where Wife Sought Refuge
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for trespassing on a property where his estranged wife had sought refuge due to marital problems. The Police Department reports officers responded to a trespassing complaint at a home in the 1100-block of NW Elm Street on Thursday shortly after 2 a.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she had a friend staying at her house due to problems with the friend's husband who had walked into the backyard and refused to leave. The 33-year-old man was said to be holding a shotgun that was pointed at the ground. With five children in her house, she was very worried. Officers arrived on scene and determined the subject had entered the property through the side gate and he refused to leave after being told to do so multiple times by the property owner. The man allegedly sent pictures of him holding a gun to a dog's head to his wife's son. The suspect was disarmed, placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:18AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Nabbed Motorist for DUII after She Crashed SUV near Funeral Home
Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after she crashed her vehicle into landscaping near a funeral home on the west side of the city this week. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the single-vehicle wreck at Chapel of the Valley on the corner of Lincoln Road and G Street on Wednesday night. Police said a 68-year-old woman was driving a gold Ford Explorer when she lost control of the vehicle, went off the roadway and crashed into landscaping next to the funeral home. Another motorist witnessed the mishap and called 9-1-1, stating they saw someone in the vehicle with the dome light on. Responding officers contacted the woman who displayed multiple indicators of impairment by alcohol. They said she performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was placed into custody. The suspect was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. She was cited to appear in court and released, but her vehicle was impounded.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:16AM by Sam Marsh
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Firefighters Extinguished Wolf Creek Recreational Vehicle Fire Early Thursday
Firefighters extinguished a recreational vehicle fire in Wolf Creek early yesterday. On Thursday at 6:42 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department responded to provide help to the Wolf Creek Rural Protection District with suppression of an unoccupied RV on Frontage Road. Crews quickly put out the large vehicle blaze. Rural Metro officials said no injuries were reported and there was no spread to adjacent properties. The cause of the incident was under investigation by the Wolf Creek Fire District.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:15AM by Sam Marsh
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ODOT Starts Construction on OR 99 Glenwood Road to Coleman Creek Project
The Oregon Department of Transportation has started construction this week on the South Pacific Highway-Glenwood Road to Coleman Creek Project. This state-funded project will widen Oregon Highway 99 from East Glenwood Road to Coleman Creek Bridge to improve safety as well as pedestrian and bicycle accessibility between Medford and Phoenix. Other improvements include adding streetlights at four intersections, a drainage system and several mid-block pedestrian crossings with flashing beacons. Traffic is limited to a single lane in each direction through the work zone. Expect brief delays. Watch for workers, equipment and trucks entering and exiting the work zone.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:13AM by Sam Marsh
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Chamber of Commerce Announces Support of Measure 17-119 to Authorize $60M RCC Bond
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The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce has announced its support for Measure 17-119, a proposed $60 million bond for Rogue Community College. The measure aims to enhance workforce training programs and modernize facilities across RCC's three local campuses in Grants Pass, Medford and White City. Chamber President and CEO Terry Hopkins said he understands the importance of equipping the community with the skills needed to thrive in today's competitive job market. He said local businesses face an urgent demand for skilled workers in essential fields such as nursing, commercial truck driving, welding, manufacturing and more. He added that Measure 17-119 directly addresses that need by expanding training opportunities and increasing the capacity of these programs. A successful vote on this measure will enable RCC to access over $15 million in state matching funds, amplifying the impact of every dollar invested. Hopkins called it a "win-win" for the community, leveraging local investment for maximum return. The Chamber of Commerce urges all community members to support Measure 17-119. The bond represents a commitment to our collective future -- a future that prioritizes education, workforce development and economic resilience.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:10AM by Sam Marsh
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Senators Wyden & Merkley Announce $600K to Expand Medford Airport Service to Texas
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US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced a federal investment of $600,000 for the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport to support expansion of service to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The investment from the US Department of Transportation will be used to create a revenue guarantee and associated marketing plan to recruit, initiate and support new service between the local airport and Dallas-Fort Worth. Amber Judd, Director of the Medford Airport, said they are excited to have been awarded a Small Community Air Service Development Grant to support the new service. She said the funding is an important step toward creating the connection. However, she said it's important to note that airlines are not bound to initiate service simply due to an airport receiving a grant award. Judd said they are encouraged by American Airlines' interest and confident this funding underscores the strong demand and the community's support for a direct Medford to Dallas-Fort Worth connection. She said they are optimistic that the airlines will recognize the opportunity to enhance connectivity between the two regions. According to Judd, the local airport is committed to working with its airline partners to make this route a reality.
Posted on 11/1/24 5:01AM by Sam Marsh
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RV Habitat for Humanity Dedicating Two New Homes to Families in Need in Rogue River
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Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce the dedication of its 82nd and 83rd homes, a celebration of safe and affordable housing for families in Southern Oregon. The dedication will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Dove Place in the City of Rogue River. The event will honor two families who have completed their Habitat journey and will now move into their new homes. The Corbin-Cooper Family has faced many challenges in their search for stable housing. Heather, a single mother, moved her family to the Rogue Valley in 2008 for more affordable rent, yet faced constant rent hikes and repeated moves, even living in a fifth-wheel trailer. The Foote Family, deeply rooted in Rogue River, also struggled with unsafe and unstable housing. Kaylee, another single mother, was forced to move her two sons from a high-crime neighborhood in Medford to Rogue River. While safer, their current rental remains costly and limiting. Both families completed over 500 hours of "sweat equity" and a homeownership education program to prepare for this new chapter.
Posted on 11/1/24 4:59AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Man Jailed for Firing 50 Rounds from Assault Rifle & Endangering Others
A Grants Pass man was jailed for firing off dozens of rounds from an assault rifle and endangering his neighbors late yesterday. The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers arrested 35-year-old Nicholas Ryan DiCarlo in the 100-block of Robertson Lane on Wednesday at 5:18 p.m.. Police said they responded to that address after multiple complaints from neighbors who advised there was an ongoing issue with shots fired by DiCarlo. After contact, the man admitted to firing off 50 rounds from his AK rifle into a berm that faces numerous properties within the city limits. Officers said they noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from DiCarlo who admitted that he started drinking at 9 a.m. to eliminate his shakes because he is an alcoholic. He contended that he has a more steady hand while shooting after he has been drinking. He also acknowledged that shooting while impaired is not safe. According to City Code, discharging a firearm within the city limits is against the law. DiCarlo was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Endangering. His assault rifle was seized and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 10/31/24 10:39AM by Sam Marsh
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Deputies Arrested Man for Domestic Violence following Criminal Investigation
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for domestic violence after conducting a criminal investigation on Wednesday. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 39-year-old Sonny Hurt, II, at the jail facility on NE F Street at 3:32 p.m. yesterday. Deputies said they conducted an investigation into a recent domestic violence incident involving Hurt and he was interviewed at the Sheriff's Office, which shares a building with the adult jail. No other details about the incident were disclosed, but Hurt was placed into custody. Hurt was booked into jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault and he was being held without bail.
Posted on 10/31/24 10:37AM by Sam Marsh
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