Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for crashing into a fence along Interstate 5 and fleeing the scene late last week. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident in the 2400-block of NW Vine Street on Friday afternoon. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report a tan soft-top Jeep went onto the embankment between Vine Street and I-5, taking out two sections of ODOT fence and causing heavy damage. The caller followed the suspect vehicle and witnessed it turning into Legacy RV Park on Monument Drive. Officers obtained video surveillance from Cascade Self Storage and were able to identify the driver as "Peter Bishop." They contacted him at the RV park and he admitted to driving into the embankment. There were no signs of impairment. Bishop was cited to appear in court for Reckless Driving. Charges of Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage and Criminal Mischief were referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration. ODOT was notified of the property damage.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to at least two motor vehicle accidents over the weekend. On Friday at 3:50 p.m., IVFD and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 3700-block of Holland Loop Road. Upon arrival, units discovered a vehicle had collided with a tree. The occupant was not injured and they told deputies they lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid a dog in the roadway. Jerry's Towing removed the vehicle and hauled it to Cave Junction. On Saturday at 1:50 p.m., IVFD crews responded to a single-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Holland Loop Road and Hays Cutoff Road. IVFD officials said the vehicle went off the roadway and into a vineyard, causing minimal damage. The driver was not hurt and they arranged for their own towing.

 

The Grants Pass City Council will hold an Unhoused Services Discussion with several local agencies during its workshop session today. The City Council will ask each agency questions regarding Measuring Success, Mental Health and Treatment, Collaboration and Support, and Future Needs and Goals. Each agency will have four minutes to respond to each question. The agencies include Gospel Rescue Mission, Hearts With a Mission, Mobile Integrative Navigation Team (MINT), OnTrack, Options for Southern Oregon, United Community Action Network (UCAN) and U-Turn for Christ. Following the discussion, the City Council will conclude the workshop with a review of the agenda for Wednesday night's regular meeting. Today's workshop begins at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.

 

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged another busy week of activity protecting the community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 551 calls for service along with 388 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 27 arrests, 63 citations, 111 warnings and five highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 152 traffic stops and they made 18 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 190 potential troublemakers while warning 22 people. The CRT unit trespassed six individuals and removed trash from 53 transient campsites. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 93 calls last week including 45 for emergency medical service, four reports of fire or smoke, 13 lift assists, four rescue situations and 13 assists to other agencies. Firefighters also performed 14 business inspections, led two public education/prevention programs, assisted the public seven times and properly installed four child car seats. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 959 emergency calls last week.

 

It appears the National Weather Service underestimated the winter storm that has hit the Southern Oregon region. The Winter Weather Advisory below 2,500 feet in Josephine, Jackson and eastern Curry counties remains in effect until 10 o'clock this evening. By 1:30 this afternoon, Grants Pass had up to three inches of snow on the ground and virtually all local schools had announced their students would be released early for their safety. That included District 7 as well as the Rogue River, Eagle Point, Ashland, Butte Falls and Pinehurst School Districts. Wet snow below 2,500 feet is expected to continue, with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and up to 6 inches near 2,500 feet. Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute in the Illinois Valley especially US Highway 199 and Caves Highway. Slow down and use caution while traveling. Visit "tripcheck.com" for updated road information.

 

The Southwest District of the Oregon Department of Forestry is recruiting for multiple positions for the upcoming fire season in Josephine and Jackson counties. ODF Southwest is seeking applicants for entry-level and experienced firefighters, dispatchers and detection specialists. There is a total of around 130 jobs available. These seasonal positions generally span from June through October. However, the duration may vary depending on conditions. Both Medford and Grants Pass offices are actively hiring, with benefits that include medical, dental and vision health coverage plus paid holidays as well as personal business, vacation and sick leave. The deadline to apply for all positions is February 28th -- but the first pull of applicants for review will begin February 6th, so applying early is encouraged. All jobs are listed on the ODF Southwest District website at "swofire.com."

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man last night for crashing his vehicle into two power poles and fleeing the scene on foot, causing a widespread electrical disruption in the northwest part of the city. The Police Department reports officers eventually tracked down and arrested 30-year-old Aaron Michael Griffin for the incident that occurred near the corner of NW Dimmick and B streets on Thursday around 7:40 p.m.. Police said witnesses reported Griffin was driving a Chevrolet Silverado at a high rate of speed and swerving when the pickup crossed a sidewalk and collided with two utility poles, shearing them off at the base and causing significant damage to utilities in the area. The suspect immediately fled the scene northbound on foot. Since Griffin left his heavily-damaged truck behind, police identified him as the registered owner with a mailing address on Balsam Road. Officers went to that address and contacted his twin brother who confirmed his sibling had been at a birthday party on the north end of town. Griffin was eventually located and placed into custody at a residence on Rancho Visa Drive in the Jones Creek area. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Reckless Driving and Criminal Mischief. His pickup was impounded and Pacific Power crews responded to make repairs.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a Grants Pass motorist for impaired driving and more yesterday after he crashed into another vehicle in the North Valley area and tried to flee the scene. OSP reports troopers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision on Monument Drive at California Avenue on Thursday shortly before 3 p.m.. Troopers said an investigation indicates 29-year-old Christian Matthew Monts was driving a Ford F-250 when he failed to maintain his travel lane, crashed into a Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 73-year-old Shady Cove woman and tried to flee the scene -- but he ran into a nearby property owner's fence, causing minor damage. Upon contact, Monts displayed signs of impairment, a search warrant was obtained and he was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. He was subsequently lodged in jail for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage, Criminal Mischief and Driving While Suspended. According to OSP, Monts' pickup was impounded by 3 Boys Classic Towing and the Volkswagen was hauled away by Caveman Towing.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a Florida man for multiple crimes yesterday following a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in Kerby. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a U-Haul truck driven by 41-year-old Derek Albert Shaffer of Port Charlotte, Florida, in the 24,300-block of US Highway 199 on Thursday shortly after 2 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped Shaffer for traffic violations at Kerby Mart and learned that the U-Haul had been reported stolen. During a search of the suspect and Ford truck, a restricted weapon and drug paraphernalia with methamphetamine residue were located and seized. Shaffer was placed into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Meth Possession. A charge of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle was referred to the District Attorney's Office for consideration. OSP said the stolen U-Haul was towed to Cave Junction.