Local News

Rural Metro Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Forestry pounced on a vegetation fire in the Hugo area yesterday. On Monday at 1:30 p.m., Rural Metro and ODF crews were dispatched to the fire in the 2900-block of Jumpoff Joe Creek Road. Rural Metro officials said an ODF engine already in the area spotted the smoke and was on scene within a few minutes, stopping the fire's spread into nearby trees. ODF was investigating the cause of the half-acre fire. Officials said it was the third fire in the Jumpoff Joe Creek area in the past week.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a woman for injuring her husband in front of their children in the Hugo area last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 34-year-old Michelle Rose Wilde for the incident at a residence in the 5100-block of Tunnel Loop Road on Sunday at 3:28 p.m.. Deputies said a 12-year-old boy called 9-1-1 to report that his mother and father were physically fighting. The caller -- who was hiding outside after witnessing the altercation with his 13-year-old brother -- told dispatchers that his parents were bleeding, adding that they have been fighting and having issues for some time. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that the father was in need of stitches due to a cut on his eyebrow. They interviewed both parties, documented the evidence and placed Michelle Wilde into custody. The husband refused transport to the hospital. Wilde was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. She was being held without bail. The Sheriff's Office reported the incident including the "messy" condition of the house to the Child Welfare Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

 

Grants Pass Police apprehended a man on an outside felony warrant following a high-risk weekend traffic stop in the downtown area. The Police Department reports officers arrested 32-year-old Christian William Bradley on Sunday morning after pulling over the vehicle he was riding in near the corner of NW 5th and A streets. Police said they were looking for Bradley because he was wanted on a Jackson County felony warrant for Parole Violation stemming from a past conviction for 1st-Degree Burglary. After officers pulled the vehicle over, K-9 "Kick" was deployed to assist and he was placed into custody without incident. According to the report, a 9-millimeter round was discovered in his back pocket and he was then found to be in possession of a 9-millimeter handgun. Both were seized as evidence. Bradley was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a no-bail detainer, pending transfer to the Jackson County Jail in Medford. The Women's Crisis Support Team was called in to assist the unidentified female driver.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for drug possession at a city park last weekend. According to the Police Department, officers were performing a welfare check at Morrison Centennial Park on Sunday around 8:35 p.m. when they contacted 28-year-old Aleksandr Uchytil. Police said they received a report that Uchytil and a woman were doing drugs in the park. They observed foil in the suspect's lap, and he admitted that the foil had fentanyl on it and he had more on his person. The narcotics and drug paraphernalia were seized for destruction. Uchytil was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Possession of Fentanyl. He was also trespassed from Morrison Park for 30 days. His female companion was not arrested, but she was advised to move along.

 

Four people were injured in a weekend crash on Rogue River Highway about three miles east of Grants Pass. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision near milepost 3.5 of Highway 99 on Saturday evening. Troopers said an investigation determined that a Dodge Caravan driven by 25-year-old Nathen Allen Kent of Grants Pass swerved into the oncoming travel lane and collided head-on with a Toyota Tundra driven by 48-year-old Gary Lane Sauer of Kerby. They said Kent initially fled the scene, but later returned and was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for evaluation. He was not impaired. Sauer and three passengers in the pickup were transported by ambulance to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. Following the investigation, Kent was cited for Careless Driving and No Insurance.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to a fire involving several vehicles along Redwood Highway south of Cave Junction last weekend. On Sunday at 8:39 a.m., IVFD and ODF crews were dispatched to the incident in the 30,600-block of US Highway 199. IVFD officials said arriving units found six vehicles ablaze, with the flames spreading to the adjacent wildland. The fire was extinguished and contained in short order with minimal spread. There were no injuries reported. Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

 

If you plan on heading to local waterways in the near future, be prepared for lots of floating debris, very swift currents due to high water and cold water temperatures. The Oregon State Marine Board urges boaters to select a waterway that matches their skill levels, so they don't wind up getting in over their heads. The Marine Board advises boaters to plan ahead and check out their interactive boating access map. The map displays public boat ramps and local rules for boat operations. Also, check the weather forecast, water levels and tides. See if there are any reported obstructions and have the right gear for your boating activity. Oregon boaters are reminded that all children under 12 are required to wear a life jacket when underway on all boats -- motorized or non-motorized. All boaters in Class 3 whitewater rivers are required to wear a life jacket. Be courteous to other boaters and share the waterway. Stage your gear in the parking lot or staging area regardless of your boat type. This makes launching faster and everyone around you happier. In Oregon, all boaters must take a boating safety course and carry a boating safety education card when operating a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower. Paddlers of non-motorized boats 10 feet and longer are required to purchase a waterway access permit. For more information about safe boating in Oregon, visit "boat.oregon.gov."

 

A routine excursion turned into a life-saving mission last week when a Hellgate Jetboat captain and crew sprang into action to rescue a person found floating in the Rogue River. Last Thursday at about 9:30 a.m., just minutes after departing from the Hellgate Jetboat dock on a scheduled brunch excursion, the captain of the vessel spotted an unusual object in the water while navigating toward Hellgate Canyon. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the object was a human body, floating face-up and motionless. The captain initially feared the worst, but was alerted to possible signs of life. With no hesitation, the captain alerted passengers and maneuvered the boat alongside the individual. With the help from several guests, they secured the person and navigated to the nearest shore for a safe rescue. Determining the woman required immediate medical attention, the captain brought her onboard and stabilized her. The crews requested emergency medical services to be on standby at the dock in Grants Pass. The boat returned to the dock where American Medical Response met the vessel, assisted the woman off the boat and transferred her to a gurney for further medical evaluation. Following the incident, the excursion resumed with all passengers safely reboarded and the boat continuing its journey. Travis Hamlyn, president of Hellgate Jetboat Excursions, said they are incredibly proud of their captain, crew and guests whose swift thinking and teamwork made a critical difference.

 

To reduce the risk of human-caused fires, Bureau of Land Management officials have restricted certain activities on public lands in southwest Oregon. As summer approaches and the weather warms up, fuels are rapidly drying out and firefighters are responding to more fires. Al Mason, Fire Management Officer for the BLM's Medford District, said people should be prepared when they visit public lands this summer. He said to pack a shovel and fire extinguisher and follow the agency's fire restriction orders to help prevent fires. The public use restrictions that went into effect on June 1st include a few small steps you can take to help prevent fires. Smoking is prohibited while traveling except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other designated locations. Power saw users must have a shovel and an 8-ounce or larger fire extinguisher and must maintain a fire watch for at least one hour after saw use. While traveling in a motor vehicle, visitors must have one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2-1/2-pound or larger fire extinguisher. This includes motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Fireworks are prohibited on BLM public lands along with exploding targets, metal targets and firing tracer or incendiary devices.