Local News

The Oregon State Police arrested a motorist for impaired driving early yesterday after a traffic stop on Williams Highway in south Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven by a 28-year-old male subject near the intersection of Highway 238 and Union Avenue on Thursday at 1:30 a.m.. Troopers said they stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the driver showed signs of impairment. After performing poorly in field sobriety tests, he was taken to the Grants Pass Sobering Center where he provided a breath sample that was well over the legal driving limit. The suspect was lodged at the Sobering Center for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. His pickup was impounded and towed away.

 

The Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) has its hands full after two fires broke out in southern Douglas County yesterday. On Thursday at 2:10 p.m., crews from DFPA, Umpqua National Forest, Tiller Rural Fire Department, Milo Rural Volunteer Fire Department and Riddle Fire Protection District responded to a fast-moving wildfire off Devils Knob Road near the Tiller-Trail Highway. Aerial and ground resources actively engaged in an aggressive initial attack on the Devils Knob Fire, which was estimated to be 800 to 1,000 acres last night. A Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice has been issued for the 3400-block to 36760-block of Tiller-Trail Highway as well as Tison and Diamond Elk roads and Joe Hall area. On Thursday around 5:15 p.m., DFPA, Canyonville Fire Department, Tri-City Fire Department, Riddle Fire Department and Myrtle Creek Fire Department responded to a fire that resulted from a vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 98. As of last night, the Milepost 98 Fire was estimated to be well over 100 acres and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order for residents on Ritchie Road in Canyonville. Officials also issued a Level 2 "Be Set" evacuation notice on Canyon Creek Road. DFPA officials said the wildfire is located on the west side of I-5 near Canyon Creek Road and it's affecting southbound traffic. One southbound lane of the freeway remained closed this morning and motorists were urged to watch for crews and equipment.

 

UPDATE: MISSING PERSON HAS BEEN FOUND.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office was seeking public assistance in finding a missing woman. Sheriff's officials said 41-year-old Cambryn Dawn Courson was last seen on Wednesday at about 1 p.m. in the 1500-block of Harbeck Road in Grants Pass. Courson is believed to have left the area on foot and she doesn't have a cell phone. Courson is described as a white female adult, 5-feet-8-inches tall and 225 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Cambryn Courson is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123.

 

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for repeated threats against his neighbor's house-sitter in the Jerome Prairie area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested a 52-year-old male subject in the 800-block of Sleepy Hollow Loop late Wednesday afternoon. Deputies said they were alerted to an ongoing issue between a male and female at that location. The woman had called 9-1-1 to report the man was threatening her via phone and text. She said she was afraid because the man has a gun and he had discharged it in the past. She added that the situation was escalating. Following an investigation, deputies determined the man had called and texted the house-sitter after a Labor Day incident involving dogs and that he had threatened serious physical injury to the victim. Messages were left advising he would beat the brains out of the victim and he had fired warning shots with his firearm. The suspect was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Harassment. He was being held without bail.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist on multiple charges after he crashed his vehicle into a fence in a southeast-city neighborhood this week. The Police Department reports officers responded to a possible "road rage" incident involving a red Chevrolet Camaro in the 700-block of SE Riverside Avenue on Wednesday night. Police said a 30-year-old male subject was in a disturbance at that location after he drove his vehicle in a reckless manner and crashed into a fence, causing about $800 in damage. Video of the wreck was filmed by the residents who wished to pursue criminal charges against the driver. The driver whom police identified as "Anthony Michael Eller" was placed into custody and found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine, which was seized for destruction. Eller was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Reckless Driving, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Meth Possession. A friend took possession of his car.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for attacking his friend during an argument over a song containing racy lyrics. According to the Police Department, officers responded to a reported disturbance near the corner of NE 6th and D streets on Wednesday afternoon. Police said two men got into an argument over one of them playing music that contained sexually-suggestive lyrics. They said a 39-year-old male subject accused the other man of "assaulting" him with his music, so he punched the man in the jaw. He then took the other man's skateboard, broke it in half and stole it. The two men chased each other around and yelled loudly, causing public alarm. The suspect was located and admitted that he broke the skateboard before throwing it in the bushes. The victim was seen by medics, but he refused hospital transport. The suspect was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct and Petty Theft. He was being held without bail. The victim told officers he would search for his skateboard pieces and bring them to the police station for photographs.

 

Rural Metro Fire Department is recruiting local men and women who want to join their team of firefighters and rescue professionals for their part-time, call-back program. Rural Metro's state-accredited training program covers "all-hazard" topics such as structural and wildland suppression, technical rescue and medical skills. Work schedules vary based on call volume and shift availability, but they will require a minimum of 36 hours of active participation per quarter. The deadline to apply is September 23rd at 4 p.m.. Testing begins in October and the Academy starts in January 2025. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, show proof of high school diploma or GED, show proof of valid Oregon driver's license, reside in Rural Metro's response area or 30 minutes from their administration office on 6th Street in Grants Pass. You must also successfully complete the physical abilities test and interview as well as a drug screening and background check if a job offer is made. To apply, send Rural Metro a "letter of interest" describing why you want to join their program that includes your name, home address, e-mail and phone number to "customerserviceoregon@rmetro.com. For more information, call (541)-474-1218.

 

The Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board is directing more than $13 million toward expanding and strengthening the state's recovery centers and recovery housing. The Settlement Board approved an Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) proposal to improve access to recovery community centers and housing by providing $11.75 million to establish center in counties highly impacted by overdoses, yet with the least access to recovery services. Five million dollars has been earmarked for recovery centers in Josephine and Klamath counties to be identified by the ADPC Recovery Subcommittee in collaboration with the Oregon Health Authority and relevant partners. Elsewhere in Southern Oregon, $2.39 million will be sent to the Painted Horse Recovery Center in Douglas County and $2.36 million will go to the Bay Area First Step Recovery Center in Curry County. The funding was awarded to OHA, which will administer the allocations. Prior to awarding any funding, OHA was required to engage the partners listed in the ADPC proposal and provided a proposed timeline and implementation plan to the Settlement Board for approval no later than September 1st.

 

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that airports in the Rogue Valley and Prineville have secured more than $10.4 million combined in federal grants for improvements to taxiways, lighting, runways and more. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) distributed $10.43 million in grants to the Oregon airports. The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport is receiving $6.41 million to extend a taxiway to reduce delays, to expand an existing general aviation apron to allow access to a broader fleet mix, and to build two new taxiways to reduce delays. The balance of just over $4 million is going to the Prineville Airport. Medford Airport Director Amber Judd said they are grateful for these federal funds that will allow them to complete their general aviation expansion and add the new taxiways, creating needed space for economic expansion. Wyden said these federal investments to modernize and improve airports in the Rogue Valley and Prineville benefit Oregonians relying on these facilities in both communities for the health of their economies and safety in times of emergency.