Local News

GP Police Arrested Man for Drug Possession at Designated City Campground
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for drug possession during a weekend patrol check at one of the two designated campgrounds in the city. According to the Police Department, officers contacted and then arrested 36-year-old Jack David Spurgeon at the SE J Street campground around 10 a.m. Saturday. Police said they were patrolling the campground when they spotted Spurgeon in his tent with drug paraphernalia. They said he had an open container with a baggy containing a white crystal substance that tested positive as methamphetamine. Spurgeon was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Meth Possession. His tent and belongings were logged into evidence for safekeeping. He was also trespassed from the campsite for 30 days.
Posted on 10/21/24 11:29AM by Sam Marsh
 

Sunday Night Kitchen Fire in Cave Junction Displaced Occupants & Their Dog
A Cave Junction residential kitchen fire last night displaced two adults and a dog. On Sunday at 9:30 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District responded to a reported fire in the 200-block of South Caves Avenue. IVFD officials said the fire was reported to have been put out as crews were arriving on scene. They checked the entire residence for any extension of the flames, but found none. There were no injuries reported, but the American Red Cross was called in to assist the two adult occupants and their dog. Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the incident, but they were canceled when the fire was declared out.
Posted on 10/21/24 6:17AM by Sam Marsh
 

Illinois Valley Property Owner Cited for Illegal Open Burn on West Side Road
An Illinois Valley property owner was cited for an illegal open burn over the weekend. On Saturday at 6:05 p.m., the Illinois Valley Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to the open burn in the 5900-block of West Side Road. IVFD and ODF officials acknowledged that the local fire danger is now "low," but there is still no burning allowed. They said the burn pile was extinguished and a citation was issued to the responsible party. Officials urged people not to burn until ODF declares the 2024 fire season over.
Posted on 10/21/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
 

Rural Metro Officials Offer Tips for Home Heating Safety This Fall and Winter
Rural Metro Fire Department wants you to help put a "freeze" on fall and winter fires. Rural Metro officials said heating is the second-leading cause of home fires. If you heat with wood, oil or gas, install a carbon monoxide alarm and test it at least once a month. Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney each year. Store cooled ashes from the fire box in a tightly-covered metal container and keep it outside at least 10 feet away from your home or other combustible materials. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, woodstoves, radiator or space heaters. Plug only one heat-producing device into an electrical outlet at a time. Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. Remember, working smoke alarms save lives. For more information, call Rural Metro at (541)-474-1218.
Posted on 10/21/24 6:15AM by Sam Marsh
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RR Highway Bridge Retrofit Project to Close Foots Creek Bridge for One Week
The Oregon Department of Transportation is continuing work on the bridge retrofit project on Rogue River Highway. Beginning today, the Foots Creek Bridge will be closed for approximately one week. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route to avoid the work zone and to please watch for workers in the bridge area. ODOT officials said the contractor has provided a pedestrian transport vehicle that can accommodate at least two ADA passengers, a maximum of 10 able-bodied pedestrians and up to three bicycles with a secured rack during the closure. The project is replacing the bridge structures at Foots Creek, Birdseye Creek and Millers Gulch for earthquake resilience. The project is expected to be completed by June 2025. The estimated completion dates are subject to change.
Posted on 10/21/24 6:13AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Accepting Applications for Two Seats on Urban Tree Advisory Committee
The City of Grants Pass is accepting applications for two positions on the Urban Tree Advisory Committee due to a vacancy and an expiring term. The vacancy position will expire on April 5, 2025, and the expiring position is for two years. The Urban Tree Advisory Committee's purpose is to review, develop and implement programs and activities that promote, protect and enhance the urban forest as part of the Tree City USA program. Special qualification for these positions is an interest in the promotion and enhancement of the urban forest in Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, November 29th. Applications will be reviewed by the committee on Monday, December 9th. The City Council will make the appointments at their regular meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Posted on 10/21/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh
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FBI Warns Public to Beware of Scammers Who are Impersonating Government Officials
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The FBI Portland Division has seen an increase in reports of scammers falsely representing themselves as FBI agents or a representative of another government agency and sending couriers to pick up cash or gold payments. Be advised, federal agencies do not call or e-mail individuals threatening arrest or demanding money. Scammers often spoof caller ID information and these calls are fraudulent even if they appear to be coming from an agency's legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call. There are many versions of the government impersonation scam and they all exploit intimidation tactics. Typically, scammers will use an urgent and aggressive tone, refusing to speak to or leave a message with anyone other than their targeted victim. They will also urge victims not to tell anyone else including family, friends or financial institutions about what is occurring. Payment is demanded in various forms. In this newest version of the scam, victims are ordered to withdraw money as either cash or gold and give it to a courier who arrives at their home. Other tactics include prepaid cards, wire transfers, and cash sent by mail or inserted into cryptocurrency ATMs. Victims are asked to read prepaid card numbers over the phone or text a picture of the card. If you think you are a victim of this or any other online scam, file a report with your local law enforcement agency and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at "ic3.gov."
Posted on 10/21/24 6:10AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police & Firefighters Logged Another Active Week of Community Protection
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Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged an active week of community protection. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 659 calls for service along with 307 officer-initiated calls last week which resulted in 55 arrests, 26 citations, 43 warnings and 11 highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 53 traffic stops in the city and they made 19 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 100 contacts with potential troublemakers while arresting six people, citing five more and warning 22 others. The CRT unit also trespassed three individuals from homes and businesses. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 108 calls last week including 61 for emergency medical service, four for fires or smoke, 19 lift assists, five rescue situations, three assists to other agencies and 11 false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,056 emergency calls in addition to 718 calls for non-emergency service.
Posted on 10/21/24 6:01AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass School District's Adult Community Transition Program Moves to GPFLEX
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The Adult Community Transition (ACT) Program for the Grants Pass School District has relocated from Grants Pass High School to a new building on the campus of GPFLEX. This move marks a significant milepost in providing an environment for young adults with disabilities to develop essential life skills and continue their journey toward independence. ACT programs serve young adults age 18-21. They are typically housed off-campus to allow participants who have completed high school to move into a space that fosters their growth into adulthood. The new facility at GPFLEX does exactly that, providing a home-like atmosphere where young adults can practice real-world skills. This facility includes a fully-equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, an ADA-compliant bathroom with a shower, and comfortable living spaces featuring couches, recliners and personalized décor to make the space feel like home. The ACT program's mission is to empower young adults with disabilities by offering them real-world experiences that build life skills.
Posted on 10/21/24 5:59AM by Sam Marsh
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The Salvation Army Grants Pass Launches AmeriCorps Program to Combat Homelessness in Southern Oregon
The Salvation Army Grants Pass announced the launch of its AmeriCorps Program, funded by a $269,999 AmeriCorps grant after receiving an initial planning grant of $74000. This program will place 10 full-time AmeriCorps members at key service locations throughout Southern Oregon, including The Salvation Army, Rogue Retreat, and Rivers Edge Charter School (REACH), to address homelessness and housing instability. The AmeriCorps members focus will be on workforce development, housing stability, and providing critical resources to help individuals overcome barriers, secure stable housing, and achieve economic stability through education and employment.
The newly placed AmeriCorps members and their roles are as follows:
Bronson McAllister: Rogue Retreat Volunteer Coordinator
Shawn Kyker: Rogue Retreat Life Skills Coordinator
Lauren Hafterson: The Salvation Army Medford Volunteer Coordinator
Mana Kaiu: The Salvation Army Medford Job Skills Coordinator
Jack Bowen: The Salvation Army Medford Wrap Around Coordinator
Zoe Billings: REACH Student Success Grants Pass
Karl Ketley: The Salvation Army Grants Pass Workforce Coordinator
The Salvation Army will provide comprehensive oversight, ensuring members receive support and training to achieve program goals and have enriching experiencing.
Posted on 10/19/24 7:23AM by Chuck Benson
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DINT Captures California Career Criminal While Busting High Level Drug Operation
The Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team has been investigating the recent alleged illegal activities of 50-year-old Glenn Gearhart from California. Gearhart is a convicted felon from California, with multiple convictions for crimes of violence, including with the use of firearms. Friday a search warrant was obtained for Gearhart, as well as his apartment in Winchester. At approximately 4:40 PM, detectives located Gearhart leaving his residence, driving a late model Jeep Cherokee. Detectives believed he was in possession of firearms and large quantities of narcotics. Gearhart was reported to have made statements that if he is caught again, he would not be taken alive. Deputies attempted a traffic stop in Roseburg, but Gearhart failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. Following a long chase Gearhart turned onto Garden Valley and was slowed by traffic giving deputies the opportunity to pin Gearhart's vehicle. Gearhart was confronted by multiple deputies, Roseburg PD officers, and detectives. Gearhart at first was non-compliant but he gave up and was taken into custody without further incident.Detectives found a Glock .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine, an illegal short barrel shotgun, an AR-15, a pump action shotgun, along with a large sum of cash. Detectives returned to the residence in the 100 block of Page Road to search the residence. A search revealed a large cache of narcotics to include: 1.3 lbs. of suspected fentanyl, 1.6 lbs. of suspected methamphetamine, 51 grams of cocaine, 369 dosage units of alprazolam, and 12.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. Glenn Gearhart was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on 13 charges, some with multiple counts
Posted on 10/19/24 6:20AM by Chuck Benson
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Crash on Highway 140 Claims the Life of California Man
Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Hwy 140, near milepost 31, in Jackson County Thursday afternoon. The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Chevrolet Colorado, operated by Fabiola Salcedo, 42, of Dorris, CA, lost control and spun into the westbound lane where it was struck by a westbound Subaru Forester, operated by Danny Ray Ebert, 74, of La Pine, on the passenger side. The operator of the Chevrolet, Mr.Salcedo, was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Subaru, Mr. Ebert and passenger, 77-year-old Phyllis Ann Ebert of La Pine, both suffered minor to serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.The highway was impacted for approximately 2.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is believed to be related to roadway conditions and speed.
Posted on 10/19/24 5:49AM by Chuck Benson
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