Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is currently participating in a nationally-funded traffic safety campaign. During the month of March, the Sheriff's Office is engaged in a traffic safety effort called "Speeding Slows You Down." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's high-visibility enforcement speed prevention campaign is focused on the consequences of speeding -- such as tickets and fines -- while urging drivers to slow down. Motorists are encouraged to watch their speedometers and drive at safe speeds to help keep local roadways safe.

 

An Illinois Valley man is facing numerous charges after he allegedly stole a chain saw from a homeless man and threatening him last weekend. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 41-year-old Israel James Hopper for the incident in the Chapman Creek Road area on Sunday. Deputies said a man called 9-1-1 Sunday morning and reported that Hopper came up to the Ford F-350 flatbed truck he was living in, threatened him and took his Husqvarna 525 Mark 2 chainsaw valued at more than $700. The suspect then started using the chainsaw to cut firewood on Chapman Creek. When the victim tried to confront Hopper, Hopper allegedly used his Toyota pickup to ram the victim's truck before fleeing the scene. A Chapman Creek resident saw what happened and corroborated the victim's story. Following an investigation, deputies located Hopper, recovered the stolen saw and placed him into custody. Hopper was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on seven charges including Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief, Felony Attempted 3rd-Degree Assault, Menacing, Reckless Endangering, Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and 2nd-Degree Theft. He was being held without bail.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested an Illinois Valley man for allegedly harassing his wife at their residence last weekend. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at Shady Acres Mobile Home Park in the 27,400-block of Redwood Highway on Sunday around 2:45 a.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report her husband had been drinking and he threatened to kill her if she called law enforcement. She advised her husband was throwing things and breaking windows. She said he almost hit her in the face with some keys on Saturday night. The woman was frightened, but not injured. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties and the woman said he wanted to pursue charges for being harassed by her spouse -- who was identified by the Sheriff's Office as "Jason Cochran." Cochran agreed to go to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he was cited to appear in court for Domestic Harassment.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local felony warrant and for narcotics possession after he tried to steal two small items from a local retailer last weekend. The Police Department reports officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at the Dollar Tree store on NW 6th Street on Sunday at about 10:15 a.m.. Police said 37-year-old Brian P. Stack took two small items valued at $2.50 and bypassed all points of sale with the intent of depriving the store of its property. The manager was able to retain one of the items, but the suspect fled on foot with the other. He was tracked down and contacted a short time later at Lawnridge Park. Upon contact, officers discovered that Stack was wanted on a Josephine County felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unlawful Use of a Weapon. During a consent search, he was found with a pipe containing methamphetamine residue. Stack was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges of Meth Possession and Petty Theft. He was also charged with Probation Violation and was being held on a no-bail detainer.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested an Illinois Valley felon for violating his post-prison supervision during a weekend traffic stop on Redwood Highway. OSP reports troopers pulled over a Cadillac Escalade driven by 31-year-old Kennedy Sennett and containing 34-year-old Jonathan Javier Montes -- both of O'Brien -- on US Highway 199 near Rockydale Road around midday Sunday. Troopers said they stopped the Cadillac for traffic violations and the passenger intentionally provided a false name and birth date. However, Montes' true identity was revealed and he was found to be on parole related to a hit-and-run conviction. Montes' corrections officer was contacted and a detainer was issued due to him not complying with conditions of his supervised release. He was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two women for repeated violations in the homeless campsite on NE 7th Street. Police said the arrests of 54-year-old Laurie Yvette Momney and 39-year-old Amanda Marie McCoy occurred on Sunday at about 3:45 p.m.. Momney was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass and Offensive Littering while McCoy was lodged in jail for Offensive Littering. They were jailed due to repeat violations. Both women were also issued 30-day exclusions from the 7th Street campsite.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department is welcoming the newest member of its law enforcement team, Officer Devin Pine who was officially sworn in by the City Clerk last week. Officer Pine's husband -- who is a Medford police officer -- looked on with their two children as she took her oath as a peace officer. Officer Pine moved to Southern Oregon in 2011 where she finished high school at South Medford. After serving in the United States Navy, Pine was employed with Southern Oregon Orthopedics. Devin chose to switch to law enforcement because she wanted an ever-changing career where she could engage with the community and help protect it. She added that she is a compassionate and empathetic person who wants to use those strengths every day of her career. Officer Pine chose GPPD because the agency's core values align with hers and she loves the community of Grants Pass. She began the Basic Police Academy in Salem this week. GPPD Chief Warren Hensman asks the community to join him in welcoming Officer Devin Pine. He said he looks forward to her long and successful career.

 

The Grants Pass City Council swore in its newest member, prepared for budget season, heard two presentations and considered an advisory committee motion during its Monday workshop session. The workshop started with new Ward 3 Councilor Seth Benham being sworn into office by City Recorder Karen Frerk. City Manager Aaron Cubic and Finance Director JC Rowley then led a Budget Committee Orientation for the new Council members and appointed citizens. U-Turn for Christ presented the Built for Zero program to the Council, which included a video of the program's success in cities such as Denver, Colorado; Bakersfield, California; Rockford, Illinois; and Chattanooga, Tennessee. More than 140 communities across the nation are participating in Built for Zero, a national initiative with the goal of ending homelessness. A second presentation by Associate Planner Laure Middleton unveiled potential for increasing maximum building heights to help increase affordable housing. A motion was passed to send a proposed text amendment to the Urban Area Planning Commission for consideration. The Council also unanimously approved a motion made by the Urban Tree Advisory Committee to consider creation of an Urban Forest Management Plan.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department has expanded its partnership with Options for Southern Oregon for mental health and addiction program services. Based on the success of Option's outreach and -- specifically -- case manager Krystal, who has been working closely with officers to provide services to those in need, GPPD has provided additional space for the organization to add a worker. Options case managers Krystal and Lisa will manage resources for the housed and unhoused individuals who have been identified through law enforcement referral or community outreach. They connect individuals to mental health treatment including -- but not limited to -- psychiatric care for medication purposes, therapy, case management, skills training, employment and support and primary care. As a collaborative effort, Krystal and Lisa help connect clients with services through multiple providers for substance abuse treatment and work with people until they are established with the program. They also help clients access resources and connect with various agencies and community partners to effectively meet their needs.