Local News

The National Weather Service has continued its Flood Potential Outlook for southwest Oregon and northern California. The Flood Potential Outlook calls for significant rises on rivers, creeks and streams, with possible main stem river flooding due to moderate to heavy rain in Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties in Oregon as well as Siskiyou County in California. A series of wet frontal systems will produce moderate to heavy precipitation through this coming weekend. Significant rises are expected late this week, but especially Saturday night into early next week. Forecast precipitation totals through Sunday could reach two to three inches over west side valleys, with five to ten inches possible in the mountains and along the coast. More than a foot of rain could fall in the Curry coastal mountain ranges. This rainfall will increase the risk for both flash flooding over area burn scars as well as small stream and river flooding. The Rogue River near Agness is forecast to reach minor flood stage Saturday night and rise to flood stage Sunday morning. The Coquille River at Coquille is forecast to reach action flood stage Sunday afternoon with minor flood stage Sunday night. A Flood Potential Outlook is issued when there is the potential for significant rises or flooding along rivers and streams. Flood watches and warnings may be issued by the National Weather Service if the situation worsens.

 

The Oregon State Marine Board opened a public comment period last month on proposed rule language for boat operations on the Upper Rogue River in Jackson County, with a comment deadline of December 20th. During that timeframe, the agency learned more about issues related to boating in this area that have led to proposing further revisions to the rule language.. To be thorough and transparent, the agency is opting to reopen the public comment step in the rulemaking process to ensure time for comments on the proposed updates. The agency has filed a Notice of Rulemaking with the Oregon Secretary of State that will be published in the January 1st Oregon Bulletin to modify the language on the proposed new rule for the Upper Rogue. In short, it says "all boating activities on the river shall be restricted until the three-day average flow increases above 1,350 cubic feet per second at Dodge Bridge near Eagle Point." The rule aims to preserve traditional boating uses along the Upper Rogue while also aiming to reduce conflicts and enhance safety between other river recreators. The horsepower restrictions will limit the size and speed in which boats may operate on sections of the river to preserve habitat. Written comments will now be accepted until January 21st by 11:55 p.m..

 

The Oregon State Marine Board recognized two members of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office during its annual postseason marine law enforcement conference in Bend this month. Jackson County Sheriff's Sergeant Shawn Richards was honored with a Service Recognition Award. Sergeant Richards has dedicated his career to public safety and has decided to retire in 2025. He started his career with the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in 1998 and achieved the rank of Corporal before he moved to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in 2012. He has managed a multitude of field service contracts, including the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service in addition to the Marine Board. He has also managed Jackson County Search and Rescue. Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Denton was honored with the Service Excellence Award. Deputy Denton was recognized for his commitment to the training program, with amazing drift and jet boat skills so he can safely and efficiently operate in any conditions.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for vandalizing a vehicle at a home near the Parkway late yesterday. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident in the 500-block of SE M Street on Monday at about 4:35 p.m.. Police said a woman called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers she was sitting in the garage when she heard a loud crash and someone had shattered her roommate's car window. She and others saw a male subject running away. Officers arrived on scene and determined that 34-year-old Andrew Nathan Ray walked by the victim's vehicle and used a chain to smash one of the windows. A male friend of the victim chased down Ray and made him come back to the scene. According to the report, the suspect appeared to be under the influence of drugs, he was making nonsensical statements and was unable to tell police what happened. After finally admitting to the crime, Ray was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for stealing hundreds of dollars' worth of merchandise from Home Depot yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a shoplifting call at the store on NE Mill Street on Monday shortly after 3 p.m.. Police said a Home Depot asset protection worker called 9-1-1 to report detaining a man he identified as "William Wright" for stealing more than $500 in items from the store. The suspect reportedly pushed a shopping cart full of items past all points of sale without paying, he was detained and taken to the asset protection office. Wright was reported to be "somewhat cooperative" with the worker and he admitted the theft to law enforcement. All the stolen items were recovered. Wright was charged with 2nd-Degree Theft. Due to his cooperative nature, he was cited to appear in court and released from custody.

 

Grants Pass Police cited a motorist who caused a crash near the South Y early yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers and emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Redwood, Williams and Rogue River highways on Monday around 7 a.m.. Police said an investigation indicated a man was driving a Nissan Altima north on Rogue River Highway when a red pickup driven by a woman man failed to stop at a red light and T-boned the Nissan. The man and a passenger were transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The pickup driver was not hurt. She admitted the light had turned red and the brakes locked up on her vehicle, causing her to slide through the intersection. Following the investigation, the woman was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

 

A California motorist was injured after crashing his vehicle on Interstate 5 near Wolf Creek late last night. The Oregon State Police reports troopers and emergency personnel responded to the single-vehicle wreck in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 78 on Monday at 10:04 p.m.. Troopers said an investigation indicated a Hyundai Santa Cruz driven by a 34-year-old Sacramento, California, man was traveling too fast for the road conditions and he lost control in the heavy rain. The man was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for evaluation after he complained of pain. According to OSP, the wrecked vehicle was towed to Glendale. Following the investigation, the driver was warned for Violating the Basic Rule.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a transient for sleeping in front of a business in the downtown area late last night. Police said they contacted 46-year-old Jason William Whittenberg while he was sleeping under a business's store front patio cover near the corner of SE 6th and I streets on Monday around 11 p.m.. Police said Whittenberg was blocking the entrance to the building and sidewalk. They said he is known to them from previous contacts and wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. Whittenberg was lodged in jail on the warrant and trespassed from the downtown area.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for trashing a home he shares with his girlfriend following a weekend argument. The Police Department reports officers arrested 43-year-old Gerald L. Proffit for the incident in the 800-block of SE Grandview Avenue on Sunday at 4:27 p.m.. Police said they responded to a domestic disturbance at the home that was reported by a third party. They said Proffit returned home after a verbal argument with his girlfriend and destroyed the place, causing well over $1,000 in damage to several items including an urn that contained the ashes of the woman's deceased son. Officers arrived on scene, surveyed the damage and interviewed both parties before placing Proffit into custody. Proffit was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and he was being held without bail.