Local News

The City of Grants Pass is hosting a Listening and Learning Session regarding HB 3115 in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Monday at 6 p.m. HB 3115 requires cities that wish to regulate the use of public property by people experiencing homelessness to enact “objectively reasonable” time, place, and manner restrictions. Unfortunately, making sense of what constitutes an “objectively reasonable” regulation is tricky. This session will provide an overview of where things stand legally with HB 3115, including insight into some recent circuit court decisions that have attempted to interpret “objectively reasonable.” There will be an opportunity for people to submit questions regarding this topic before the session begins, either in person or via email to kfrerk@grantspassoregon.gov. Some aspects of the forum are still developing, but here is some additional information.The listening session will be conducted by City Manager Aaron Cubic, and City Attorney Stephanie Nuttall will be available to provide information as well.All questions will be written and can be submitted during the presentation, not just before it begins.

 

A 32-year-old man is being held in the Josephine County Jail on assault and strangulation charges following a Thursday night fight. Grants Pass City Police were called to the 1300 block of Rogue River Highway at 6:15 p.m. after receiving a report of a man being assaulted. No weapons were involved, and it was reported the waring parties had been separated. The Police narrative stated Kyle Isaha Diffe and Aiden McCarroll were engaged in a “brotherly fight.” According to witnesses, after the fight subsided Kyle James Diffie struck Aiden multiple times and choked him unconscious. The witnesses verified Diffie’s actions were not out of self-defense for himself or Ishaa. Diffie had left the scene in a red minivan headed to town prior to officer’s arrival. Officers contacted Diffie at the Bottle Drop and arrested him on charges of assault IV and strangulation.

 

Three men remain in the Josephine County Jail following an assault on a fourth man last Saturday. According to a Facebook post Thursday afternoon, last Saturday, at approximately 2:47 p.m., Grants Pass Police were dispatched to the 5th Street Resting Area regarding a disturbance between four men. Officers found a 46-year-old man bleeding from his head and mouth. The victim stated he had been punched, hit with a baton across the head, and pepper sprayed. He was offered medical assistance, which he refused. After police reviewed the surveillance video and conducted an exhaustive investigation, the suspects were identified and arrested on Wednesday. Kaleb Farmer, a 34-year-old male, was arrested for Assault II, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Tampering with Evidence. Jonathan Bull, a 36-year-old male, was arrested for Tampering with Evidence and Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine. Aaron Storm, a 37-year-old male, was arrested for Assault II and Unlawful Use of Mace. All three subjects were lodged at the Josephine County Jail

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Thursday decided against passing an ordinance that deals with the time, place and manner of its weekly business sessions.During a public hearing on the second reading of the ordinance, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks read the entire script and noted that weekly business session dates and times would be determined and adjusted by the Board of Commissioners.Several citizens spoke in favor of scrapping the ordinance and starting over, calling for consistency in the scheduling and location of the meetings. For many years, the Board held its business sessions on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., with an evening meeting held once each month. The current Commissioners initially moved the meetings to Fridays at 10 a.m. before deciding that Thursdays at 10 a.m. was a better time slot.In other business, the Board approved a request for a fee waiver from the Illinois Valley Fire District. Two IVFD representatives testified that the district is building a new facility in Selma and they asked for the waiver of traditional planning and development fees. The vote was 2-0, with Board Vice-Chair Chris Barnett absent while attending the statewide Commissioners College.During the public comment period, one citizen requested that meeting agendas be made available to the public five days in advance. Another citizen asked the Board to work with the Grants Pass City Council to help remedy the current homeless situation. He said there will be a peaceful rally at the Courthouse on Saturday.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office received assistance from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police with arresting a marijuana trafficking suspect at a fast food eatery in Grants Pass.The Sheriff's Office reports deputies and state troopers placed 35-year-old Cory Richard Klimek into custody at the Taco Bell on NE Terry Lane on Wednesday afternoon. Few details were disclosed about the incident, but deputies said Klimek was in possession of a large amount of marijuana at the time of his arrest. The cannabis was seized as evidence and for eventual destruction. Klimek was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Possession and Delivery of Marijuana. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested two men on local warrants in the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports the first incident occurred at 12:31 a.m. Thursday when officers arrested 38-year-old Steven Carsten Juergensen in the 100-block of NE E Street near Oregon Books. Police said they contacted Juergensen and learned that he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Methamphetamine Possession. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. The second incident happened on Thursday at 4:26 a.m. when officers arrested 33-year-old Cody Wayne Luttrell near the corner of SW 6th and G streets, not far from the Downtown Welcome Center.

 

Is it time to prune your trees and shrubbery? Now that we're seeing trees and shrubs leafing out, please remember to inspect them and trim branches that obstruct street signs. Grants Pass City Code requires property owners to maintain vegetation in the public right-of-way along their property. The right-of-way includes sidewalks, planting strips, curbs and gutters adjacent to city streets.The right-of-way along your property has maintenance needs. Trees and shrubs alongside streets must allow the safe passage of motor vehicles and may not limit the visibility of drivers. Low-hanging tree branches must be trimmed to a minimum of 15 feet above roadway surfaces. At corners, shrubbery must be trimmed to a maximum height of 30 inches for a distance of 20 feet from an intersection. Weeds growing in cracks or seams of sidewalks are trip hazards and must be removed. Low-hanging tree branches must be trimmed to a minimum of 8 feet above the sidewalk. Shrubs and trees must be trimmed back so they do not encroach on sidewalks. Vegetation hanging over the curb or growing in the gutter interferes with drainage and street sweeping and it must be removed. Shrubs should be trimmed back at least 6 inches from the curb

 

In honor of more than 127 years of local service, both Jackson County and the State of Oregon have officially proclaimed this week as "National Salvation Army Week" -- celebrating the enduring impact of The Salvation Army in Southern Oregon and across the nation.Established in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, National Salvation Army Week is a time to recognize the unwavering work of The Salvation Army to meet human needs without discrimination. For over a century, The Salvation Army Medford Corps has stood as a trusted place of refuge, compassion and practical support for families and individuals facing hardship.In a recent Point-in-Time Community Needs Survey conducted by The Salvation Army, local data revealed the most pressing needs of those served include food insecurity, housing and utility assistance, clothing and transportation access.The demand for services is increasing at an unprecedented rate. More than 2,500 individuals sought help for the first time this past year alone, many of whom had never previously needed assistance. Lines form daily outside The Salvation Army's Social Services Center in Medford as people seek food, shelter and support.Throughout National Salvation Army Week, the Medford Corps is inviting the public to recognize this moment with action. Community members are encouraged to donate nonperishable food, making financial gifts toward emergency services or volunteer.To learn how you can help the movement, visit "medford.salvationarmy.org" or call (541)-773-6965

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning decided against passing an ordinance that deals with the time, place and manner of its weekly business sessions. During a public hearing on the second reading of the ordinance, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks read the entire script and noted that weekly business session dates and times would be determined and adjusted by the Board of Commissioners. Several citizens spoke in favor of scrapping the ordinance and starting over, calling for consistency in the scheduling and location of the meetings. For many years, the Board held its business sessions on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., with an evening meeting held once each month. The current Commissioners initially moved the meetings to Fridays at 10 a.m. before deciding that Thursdays at 10 a.m. was a better time slot. In other business, the Board approved a request for a fee waiver from the Illinois Valley Fire District. Two IVFD representatives testified that the district is building a new facility in Selma and they asked for the waiver of traditional planning and development fees. The vote was 2-0, with Board Vice-Chair Chris Barnett absent while attending the statewide Commissioners College. During the public comment period, one citizen requested that meeting agendas be made available to the public five days in advance. Another citizen asked the Board to work with the Grants Pass City Council to help remedy the current homeless situation. He said there will be a peaceful rally at the Courthouse on Saturday. Other comments heard by the Board included complaints about a security guard at the May 1st protest event, a complaint about the Board moving its monthly radio show off KAJO to a station in Medford, a claim that Commissioner Chris Barnett bused in and paid people to support him at last week's meeting, a question about Barnett's integrity and a call for the entire Board of Commissioners to resign.