Local News

GP Police Jailed Man for Fighting with WinCo Workers after Shoplifting Attempt
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for multiple crimes after he fought with employees at a local supermarket while trying to steal some grocery items yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested the 27-year-old male subject for the incident at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane on Wednesday at 11:13 a.m.. Police said loss prevention workers confronted the man after he passed all points of sale without paying for store merchandise that included a bottle of Tylenol and a water enhancer drink mix. They said he attempted to push through the employees to retain the stolen items and a physical fight ensued before he escaped on foot. According to the report, no one was injured in the altercation. Officers located the suspect a few blocks away from WinCo and recovered the stolen items. Surveillance video confirmed his criminal actions at the store, so he was placed into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 3rd-Degree Robbery, 3rd-Degree Theft and two counts of Physical Harassment. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/23/24 10:56AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Man for Roughing Up Woman Outside Downtown Church
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for roughing up a woman outside a downtown area church last night. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a reported disturbance at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at the corner of NW D and 4th streets around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report homeless people fighting on the lawn of the church, with one person possibly brandishing a knife. The caller also said there was a truck parked across the street from the church, with a man and woman yelling at each other and a baby stroller in the roadway. A subsequent investigation revealed that a 39-year-old man struck a woman in the face after the man began verbally assaulting another woman. Witnesses said the man was asked to leave the area and he refused before turning and striking the female victim in the nose. The victim was not seriously hurt. Officers placed the highly-intoxicated subject into custody and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/23/24 10:55AM by Sam Marsh
 

Deputies Snared Woman on MPD Warrant after Wednesday Incident in Hugo
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a woman on an outstanding warrant yesterday after a disturbance in the Hugo area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the incident in the 600-block of Oxyoke Road on Wednesday around 12:30 p.m.. Deputies said the property owner called 9-1-1 to report that he had just arrived at his home and he was being harassed by a female subject who was squatting on his place. The caller advised that he sprayed her with a hose and she responded by threatening him and throwing rocks at his friend. There were no injuries reported. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the 50-year-old woman and discovered that she was wanted on a Medford Police Department warrant for Probation Violation related to a previous arrest for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. She was placed into custody and lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail. The reporting party was advised not to go into the woman's living area while she was gone and a friend made arrangements to pick up her dog.
Posted on 5/23/24 10:53AM by Sam Marsh
 

GP Police Arrested Man for Violent and Alcohol-Fueled Outburst at City Park
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for a violent and alcohol-fueled outburst that occurred at a city park late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident at Morrison Centennial Park on Rogue River Highway on Wednesday at about 5 p.m.. Police said a 41-year-old male subject was reported to be causing fear and public alarm by slamming his head into the pavement and screaming. They said he was visibly intoxicated and had a can of alcoholic beverage in his hand upon contact. According to the report, the man was detained at the side of a patrol car for a search when he began slamming his head into the vehicle, causing a large dent. The suspect remained uncooperative at the Josephine County Jail where he was placed in a smock, restraint chair and spit hood. He was eventually lodged without bail for Disorderly Conduct and 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief.
Posted on 5/23/24 10:51AM by Sam Marsh
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Grants Pass Police Snared Woman for Causing Ruckus on North 6th Street
Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" yesterday for causing yet another disturbance -- this time in the north part of the city. According to the Police Department, officers responded to multiple reports of a female subject running into traffic on NE 6th Street at about 1:35 p.m. Wednesday. Police said witnesses reported the 34-year-old woman was jumping in and out of the street, screaming at passing motorists, flipping them off and throwing items at them. She was with a male companion who was not reported to be acting out. Responding officers located the woman across the street at the Chamber of Commerce, recognized her from several recent contacts and placed her into custody. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and she was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/23/24 10:49AM by Sam Marsh
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GP Police Nabbed Motorist for DUII after Shopping Center Fender-Bender
Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving after she crashed into another vehicle in the Allen Creek Shopping Center late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the fender-bender in the parking lot outside Albertsons on Wednesday around 5:45 p.m.. Police said the 59-year-old woman was driving a Subaru Forester when the wreck occurred. They said she backed into a Toyota Prius and attempted to leave, but several people were able to keep her from fleeing. The woman also tried to switch places with her female passenger, but witnesses confirmed that she was the driver. Responding officers contacted the woman and observed signs of impairment such as slurred speech, poor balance and the odor of alcohol. She refused to provide a breath sample, so a search warrant was obtained and she was taken to Three Rivers Medical center for a legal blood draw. She eventually admitted to drinking alcohol. The suspect was then lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Driving. She was also cited to appear in court for the breath test refusal. Her vehicle was parked and secured.
Posted on 5/23/24 10:48AM by Sam Marsh
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IV Man Jailed for Shooting at Neighbor in Ongoing Dispute over Marijuana Grow
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed an Illinois Valley man for shooting at his neighbor this week as part of an ongoing dispute over growing marijuana in the Selma area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the disturbance in the 100-block of Hogue Drive late Tuesday afternoon. Deputies said a man at that address called 9-1-1 to report that his 47-year-old male neighbor took a shot at him while they were in a verbal dispute over a marijuana grow. The caller advised the man shot at his legs, but the bullet hit the ground and he was not hurt. He didn't have any weapons and secured himself inside his house. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed both parties, located a bullet casing in the yard and placed the suspect into custody. The suspect was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Attempted 1st-Degree Assault, Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Menacing. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 5/23/24 6:32AM by Sam Marsh
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OSP Nabbed Motorist for DUII and Felony Warrant after Redwood Highway Stop
The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving as well as an outstanding warrant this week after a traffic stop on Redwood Highway in Selma. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Nissan Sentra driven by a 41-year-old man near milepost 20 of US Highway 199 around midday Tuesday. Troopers said they stopped the car for traffic violations and discovered the driver was wanted on an active felony warrant for Parole Violation. They observed signs of impairment and placed him into custody. User amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl were uncovered during a consent search of his vehicle. The driver performed poorly in field sobriety tests and was taken to the Josephine County Jail for a drug evaluation which turned up positive for narcotics. The suspect was lodged on the no-bail warrant as well as for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Controlled Substances. His vehicle was secured by friends who arrived at the traffic stop location.
Posted on 5/23/24 6:30AM by Sam Marsh
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Jackson County Emergency Units Rescued Boater Who Became Stranded in RR
Jackson County emergency units rescued an elderly man who became stranded in the Rogue River earlier this week. On Tuesday afternoon, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Search & Rescue and the Rogue River Fire Department responded to the incident in the river near the City of Rogue River. Marine deputies said the 81-year-old man's boat became disabled on the Rogue just below Evans Creek. After checking on the man's welfare, deputies assisted him in returning the boat back upriver and loading it onto his trailer. As the weather warms, sheriff's officials remind boaters to include life jackets and safety equipment. They also said to check vessels thoroughly before launching and stay safe.
Posted on 5/23/24 6:28AM by Sam Marsh
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IVFD Crews Extinguished Illegal Open Burn in CJ and Cited Property Owner
The Illinois Valley Fire District extinguished yet another illegal open debris burn this week. On Tuesday night, IVFD crews responded to the fire on North Sawyer Avenue in Cave Junction. It was one of many the agency has responded to this spring. IVFD officials said the property owner was not only burning illegal material, they were also doing so at night. All outdoor fires should be fully out by sunset. Firefighters put out the blaze and cited the property owner.
Posted on 5/23/24 6:27AM by Sam Marsh
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RR City Council Set to Tackle Variety of Topics at Monthly Meeting Tonight
The Rogue River City Council will tackle a variety of topics when it convenes for its monthly meeting this evening. Under New Business, the City Council will consider a park use request from the Rogue River Greenway Foundation for the 2024 Ride the Rogue event. The panel will also decide whether to provide local government recommendations to the OLCC for changes in ownership at Li'l Pantry Market & Deli and Bacci's Pizza. There is also a utility connection request to connect water and sewer to two lots outside the city limits at 1488 and 1496 East Evans Creek Road. In other business, the City Council will consider a resolution adopting a volunteer policy for the City of Rogue River, an ordinance updating city firearm regulations to comply with current Oregon law, an ordinance updating adult business rules to comply with state law, an ordinance granting an electric utility franchise and general easement to Pacificorp, and an ordinance establishing regulations for mobile vending and food truck sites. The Council is also scheduled to approve a lease agreement with the Rogue River Chamber of Commerce as well as approve annual membership with the Chamber. Tonight's meeting gets underway at 6 at Rogue River City Hall, 133 Broadway Street.
Posted on 5/23/24 6:20AM by Sam Marsh
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US Cellular Brings in COLT to Provide Additional Wireless Capacity at Boatnik
As the Grants Pass community prepares for the influx of visitors for the annual Boatnik Festival this weekend, US Cellular is equipped to accommodate the spike in demand for wireless access around Riverside Park. Since many attendees will be relying on their smartphones to stay connected with family and friends, US Cellular has brought in a Cell on Light Truck -- also referred to as a COLT -- to increase wireless capacity during the festival. The COLT provides added network capacity for the increased data usage and to support the large volume of additional phone calls and texts from attendees. Boatnik is an annual festival held over Memorial Day Weekend in Grants Pass for more than 60 years. Admission is free and the festival offers many activities and shows for all ages. Additional activities are available for purchase including the Davis Shows Carnival, Friday Night Concert and Boatnik Brewfest. All proceeds from the event are donated by the Grants Pass Active Club through the year to children and youth-based organizations in Josephine County. For more information and the complete Boatnik schedule, visit "boatnik.com"
Posted on 5/23/24 6:19AM by Sam Marsh
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