Local News

Firefighters continue to make steady progress on the Spencer Gulch Fire despite another round of hot and dry conditions expected throughout the day. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, crews reported small spot fires and contained them. A hose line has been placed all the way around the fire. The fire has been held at 75 acres while firefighters worked throughout the night. Snag hazards remain a concern and will be addressed throughout the day. Two heavy helicopters, six engines, two water tenders, a dozer, and six 20-person hand crews are working the fire. The plan for today includes continuing the work completed yesterday, making progress on mop-up, and mitigating snags to strengthen containment lines. Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations remain in place for, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Zones JAC-427, JAC-428, and JAC-436 for a three to five acre fire.

 

Josephine County 911 received a report of a grass fire in the 5900 block of Williams Highway at 11:31 a.m. Sunday.

Units from Rural Metro Fire and the Oregon Department of Forestry were dispatched to the scene. While responding, the information given was enough that additional units were requested from Applegate Valley Fire District 9 and Grants Pass Fire.

Arriving units found about an acre of fire being pushed by the wind. Due to structures being threatened, a second alarm was requested, adding crucial additional resources to this fire.

All structures were saved thanks to crew's quick response and aggressive actions, and the fire was stopped at 3.14 acres in size.

 

The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District released their final Spencer Gulch Fire update Sunday evening, saying the fire is now estimated at 75 acres and 100% dozer lined. According to their Facebook post, ODF ordered 5 more 20-person hand crews for the night shift. Aircraft resources have also been doubled for today's operations. Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations remained in place overnight for, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Zones JAC-427, JAC-428, and JAC-436 for a three to five acre fire. For more information, go to www.wildfire.oregon.gov.

 

Medford Police officers arrested a suspect Friday at approximately 1:03 p.m. following the report of a stabbing that occurred in the 1800 block of Greenwood Street. Officers arrived at the scene and located a 40-year-old male victim on the sidewalk near the residence suffering from an upper arm stab wound. Officers immediately provided medical aid by applying a tourniquet while additional officers made contact with the suspect inside the residence. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Trenton Furrey, was taken into custody without incident. The victim and suspect were determined to be related. Medford detectives assisted with the investigation. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. During the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and obtained additional evidence related to the case. Furrey was later transported to the Medford Police Department for an interview. He was then lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Assault in the First and Second Degree.

 

With high temperatures expected across parts of Oregon and Washington this weekend and early next week, Pacific Power is encouraging customers to prepare for warmer weather. According to a release, Pacific Power relies on a diverse mix of available energy resources to meet peak hour needs during warmer weather, and the company is well positioned to meet customer demand. During hot weather, Pacific Power also takes steps each day to keep electric service reliable for its customers through daily monitoring of substations and circuits that have the highest use and addressing any issues immediately. The demand for electricity typically reaches its highest point on a hot weekday afternoon, generally from about 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. when power is needed to operate irrigation systems and air conditioners. Customers can save on power bills by taking some simple steps to reduce energy usage: Switch energy usage to early morning or late evening whenever possible, set the thermostat on central air conditioning at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting, and turn off lights, computers, televisions and appliances when you are not using them.

 

Medford Fire Department crews responded to a reported apartment fire and found that a sprinkler had already extinguished a mattress and bedding fire before it could spread beyond the room.

While there was water damage to the apartment and the unit below, there was no fire loss to the building. The fire was determined to be accidental and was likely caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

Crews said this is the fourth fire sprinkler save they have seen recently. Smoke alarms alerted the resident, and the sprinkler controlled the fire before it could spread to neighboring apartments and put additional residents at risk.

MFD provided some simple steps to reduce fire risk: Test smoke alarms regularly, replace smoke alarms after 10 years, smoke outside whenever possible, and never smoke in bed.

 

A bike was stolen from a property in the 1,000 block of Fruitdale Drive, prompting a response from Grants Pass Police.

Dispatch was told the bike had been stolen overnight and was reported missing Thursday at 8:54 a.m. The caller said a friend of theirs saw the bike at one of the 6th Street Resting Sites.

The suspect in possession of the bike had a second bike with him as well, and officers soon contacted him outside the resting site. Not only was the suspect, Leo Wilson, in possession of the stolen bike, but also a tooter which field tested positive for amphetamines.

Wilson reportedly changed his story several times before eventually admitting to officers that he stole the bicycle. He was taken into custody and lodged for Second Degree Theft, Possession of Meth, and a parole violation detainer per his parole officer.

 

Grants Pass Police were alerted to two suspects smoking an unknown substance Thursday afternoon.

A call to 911 reported the two suspects were smoking something across the street from Rogue Valley Mortgage LLC at 222 NE B Street. The caller reported the suspects had been there for about 10 minutes inside a red Dodge Neon, and were trying to get high.

Officers contacted one of the suspects, Michael Yelle, upon arrival. He was initially detained and read his rights for suspicion of Possessing a Controlled Substance, but was then released after facts changed according to the police report.

Yelle was released and advised he was free to leave, however, he then willingly relinquished drug paraphernalia to police. He was taken back into custody, then cited to appear for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

 

The Grants Pass Police Department announced a significant achievement, the successful completion of the Oregon State accreditation process.

According to a post on the department's Facebook page, the Northwest Accreditation Alliance Professional Standards Committee reviewed the assessor’s report from the department's recent agency assessment May 12th.

The committee unanimously recommended that the Grants Pass 911 Communications Center be granted accredited status.